Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

Remembering the servicemembers who died in the service of their country.

Marine Cpl. Nathaniel K. Moore

22, of Champaign, Illinois.
Moore died when the CH-53E helicopter he was in crashed near Ar Rutbah, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Died on January 26, 2005.

Please send information, photos, and corrections for Marine Cpl. Nathaniel K. Moore.

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Contributions to the Families of the Fallen

Messages:

Leave a message in memory of this servicemember, and/or to the loved ones left behind.

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"I still remember your laugh, your red hair. I still remember you."

"S/F, brother. See you in valhalla."

"Nate, not a day goes by that I don't think about you. I'll never forget the words I said to you when you left."

"Another year without you Nathan. I miss you so much."

"January 18, 2009
To the family of Cpl. Nathaniel K. Moore:
Nathaniel gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org"
Peggy Childers of Carson City, NV

"Rest in peace...."
KG of Bangkok, Thailand

"Today marks another year without you Nathan. May you be at peace."

"Another year, just another one without you. I miss you"

"Happy Birthday Nate!"

"I just wanted to let you know that we have not forgotten you Nate. You remain in our thoughts and prayers."
Vanessa of Chicago, Illinois

"Moore, thanks for you service to this great nation of ours the blessed United States of america. I joined the corps to get off the streets i didnt know a war would soon break out. So much emotion and unbelief when 911 happened we were sitting in the recreation room watching it on tv little did i know you would be taken from us. I love you and highly esteem you with the utmost respect. Ill cherish every day i am alive knowing you gave yourself so i can live free. free from terrorists and free from evil people who would want to harm our great nation. Much love to you."

""God Bless You! - -
Semper FI Brother"
JR of St. Joseph, Illinois

"Well, another year with out you Nathan. You are dearly missed and deeply loved. I just wish I could see your smile one last time, hear you laugh a little longer. I miss you and I wish you could just have came home. But those days are gone now, and all we have left of you is just memories and photos."

"I love you bro!!!!"

"Sorry to be so gloomy
you never knew me like that
you are cool with me and i am cool with you
its good to see all the wonderful
ways you helped people while still
on this earth. I admire your personality
and your dedication. your warmth and
your humble spirit Stand gaurd the streets of heaven and enjoy all the beuties of heaven when i get there
show me around ok.
later"
India 3/3 Marine

"You will always be in my heart....I love you always!"

"Cpl Moore, I feel empty you had to go
away so soon it was a pleasure serving with you in India Co 3/3 1st platoon.
It was a honor meeting you.
Semper Fidelis"
Cpl Keith Anderson of Rockford, IL

"We still remember you."

"My name is Cameron Schilling and I have started “Portrait of a Soldier” which donates a portrait sketch of every Illinois soldier who has fallen in Iraq or Afghanistan. All 122 sketches will be on display for a Memorial Day Presentation in Chicago, Illinois on May 26-31 at the James R. Thompson Center in downtown Chicago. After the ceremony the sketches will be given to the immediate families of the Illinois soldiers. I would invite any friends or family members to come and honor these men and women from Illinois who have given their lives to our country. For more information please contact OperationHomeFront.org at 866-417-8889 which is an organization headed by the Lt. Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois who is in charge of the Memorial Day Presentation. Thank You.

Please check out www.portraitofasoldier.org
To contact Cameron email cameronschilling84@hotmail.com
To contact Operation Home Front call 866-417-8889"
Cameron Schilling of Charleston, Illinois

"I really can't believe it will be a year tomorrow Nathan. God you are so very missed. Til we meet up again."

"""As a veteren of K Co 3/3 and a very short stint (2 Months with G Co)(1986-1990)MCAS K-Bay it saddens me to hear of the loss of my brother Marine but I know he left us bravley fighting to keep my family safe from the evils of the world keeping with the highest traditions of the Corps. I'm now to old to reenlist but if I could I would."""
Lcpl. Robert Blaylock of Lakeside CA, USA

"Nate touched everyone he met in Hawaii. I can say that people like Nate are truly special. Gibson, Starr, and Johnson went down with you, but you will forever be remembered by those of us that served beside you in 3/3 I Co. Semper Fi."
Marc G. of N.H.

"My name is Cameron Schilling. I am a college student from central Illinois. I am the first generation of my family not to serve his country. I am extremely grateful for the sacrifice you and your loved one has given for the United States. I am disappointed by the way the news media has covered this war and the deaths of our youth. The media as stopped listing the names of the soldiers killed in Iraq and people only talk about the soldiers when we reach a specific milestone in deaths. If you just started watching the news today you would not even know there is a war going on. Partisan politics have replaced coverage of our young generation who have traveled to a foreign land in the name of the United States. Whether you believe the war in Iraq is wrong, right, justified or not everyone should pay even just a little more attention to what these young men and women are sacrificing. This is what I would like to do. I want to do my part in honoring these soldiers and their memories. Along with being a college student I am also a budding artist. I draw pencil portraits of local people in my community. I want to offer a pencil portrait sketch to the immediate family of every Illinois soldier killed in Iraq. Please contact me at cameronschilling84@hotmail.com."
Cameron Schilling of Illinois

"To the family of:Nathaniel K. Moore I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. He died a hero defending freedom. May you have the peace and understanding that only comes from God. Prayerfully, we will meet in Heaven one day where we will rest in the arms of Jesus. If you need prayer or need someone to talk to, please call or write my pastor: Rev. John Pearrell, Gateway Community Church, 11677 Brown Bridge Rd., Covington, GA 30016. (770)787-1015. Your friend in Jesus Christ,"
Polly Ballew of Covington, Ga

"Today I saw a car with a memorial to Nathan on the back window. It caused me to pause a moment and read it carefully. As I stood on the sidewalk near that car I was overwhelmed with the emotions of a former military person that understands that anyone can be called to the ultimate sacrifice.

I also sensed the extreme pride that person had in Nathan. It was clear that Nathan was gone but not far away.

To the family and friends of Nathan...God Bless You!"
Don Moore of Urbana, IL

"To the Family of Cpl. Nathaniel Moore:

My friends and I have constructed a memorial to the service men and women from Wisconsin and Illinois who have died in Iraq which includes, as of 7/12/05, 112 crosses and Stars of David. We would like your permission to put Nathaniel's name on one of them.
We have called our display "Arlington Midwest" and it is located in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
It is our expression of mourning for the indescribable loss you have suffered for our country.

If you would like us to do this, please email me at ArlingtonMidwest@yahoo.com.

We invite you to visit Arlington Midwest. I can send you directions and some pictures by email.

"As long as we live, they too will live;
for they are now a part of us,
as we remember them."
Marty Preston of Wisconsin Dells, WI

"Nate was one of my son's best friends and was his first room mate while he was first stationed in KBay Hawaii. James was suffering from weakness due to recovery from pneumonia after boot when he first got there, and Nate and two others "towed" him on the first conditioning hikes as he was not as strong as the others. True brothers from the beginning, James almost always mentioned "Moore" in his phone calls home. At first it was a joke that they were put together, Nate being big and strong, and my son being smaller and thin...they would get paired for exercises for the amusement of the officer in charge. James said it was like a chihuahua and a great dane. God Bless Nate and comfort his family and friends. He will not be forgotten."
Debra Brisch of Ellsworth IL

"I am so sorry for your loss for I am feeling it also. I am the father of Lcpl Brian Hopper, who was on the helicopter with Nathaniel. May our memories never fade."
Rob Hopper, rob.hopper@pbsgc.com of Wynne, AR

"I want to thank everyone for taking the time to leave the caring messages I have read. Nate was my boyfriend for a little over a year when he died and not a day goes by that I don't wake up thinking about him, or go to sleep wishing he was there with me. All my successes of the past year are mainly due to the influence that Nate had on me and my life. Watching him put his friends, family, and the Marine Corps before himself at all cost has inspired me far more than anyone has or ever will. I was honored to be called his friend, and blessed because I had his love. He will remain in my heart and mind everyday until we meet again."
Mariel Rivera, SSgt, USAF of Aiea, Hawaii

"My son Sgt. Michael Finke was on board the helicopter with Nathaniel. My condolences to the family, as I share in the pain of losing one so loved. We are forever united through the sacrifices that our young men made. Thank you and God Bless"
Sally Rapp of Westlake, Ohio

"My son, Richard Gilbert, Jr., died with Nathaniel and 29 other heroes aboard the helicopter. My condolences to his family. May God bless you and ease your pain."
Helen Gilbert of Dayton, Ohio

"Dear Brother,
Why did you have to be a hero? Why did you not come home when you had the chance? Why did you have to be a marine? You say you would not leave your men behind. You wanted to stay with your men. Why? Why did you have to get on that helicopter?
As I sat at the top of the stairs I tried to figure out why God had to take you, my only brother. All night I tried to put reason behind everything until, in one moment, I relized that it was not my job to figure out why you were taken from me. I relized that I should not be asking why, but I should be saying thank you. Thank you God for giving me a brother. Not just an ordinary brother, but a great brother. They say a brother is a gift to the heart, a friend to the spirit, and a golden thread to the meaning of life. You were all that and more to me. I always admired how you could make friends with your worst enemy. The way you were so bold and willing to face life head on, whether it was good or bad. You had the courage of a twenty-man army and the heart of a marine. You were my best friend, my rock and my hero. I love you brother, always and forever.
Love, Amanda"
Amanda Moore, little sister of Cpl. Nathaniel K. Moore of Champaign, Il

"To Nates family, Im very sorry for your loss. I did not know Nathan, but Know that Im praying for you in this time that is so very painful and hard to understand. Nathan will always be a hero to me, He is a brave and strong young man to have done what he did. Defend this Country. I Thank you for your son and my kids thank you also. Its Marines like Nathan who make me proud to live in this great land. Semper Fi Nathan!!!! God Bless you"
Brian Belchik (brother of Cpl. Christopher Belchik KIA 8/22/04 of Godfrey Il.

"To the family of Nate Moore: I did not know Nate, but I heard of his death recently. It is even worse when this hits so close to home. My BF recently came home from Iraq, and I am very thankful. I am also thankful that Nate was there, protecting my freedom. He was a true hero, and I am sure that he will never be forgotten. The world was very lucky to have him. Thank you and GOD BLESS.

Julie
Armygirl429@gmail.com"
Julie of Buffalo Grove, IL

"To the family of Cpl Moore,I grieve with you for your loss.Nathaniel will always be a hero.Stay strong and god bless"
A Marine Dad of New Jersey

"I worked with Nate at a local pizza place for a year or so. He was what made work so much fun and was a great friend to me. After he went into the marines I never saw him again, although I wish I had. I thought of you and prayed for you. And now that you are gone I will miss you Nate, and the smile you brought to my face every time I worked with you, but I know I'll see you again. I hope you knew how much you and your friendship meant to me, even though I didn't have the chance to tell you. All my love to you and your family."
Jessyca Revilla of Champaign, IL

"To the family and friends of Corporal Nathaniel K. Moore,

Those we hold most dear, never truly leave us. May you find comfort in love's everlasting connection.

In the Support section of this web site you will find links to many groups that support you at this crucial time. The Marine Comfort Quilt group would be honored to send a quilt to the next of kin. There are many, loving and caring Americans from all over the United States that will never forget the sacrifice that your loved one has made for our Freedom. Please use our link and register so we can send you our "Love Stitched Together"
Sandra Moudy of Placentia, Ca USA

"I am so sorry for your loss. Nate will be missed."
Anne of Champaign,IL

"There are no words to express the sorrow we feel for your loss. May God bless you and help you through this time."
Dan and Meg Manninen of San Antonio, Texas

"We Will NEVER FORGET !"
Please KNOW so many people share your sadness, and we are remembering your family in your loss and your deep grief. Your HERO, Nathaniel , will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you ALWAYS. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

"I NEVER HAD THE HONOR OF MEETING YOU, BUT MY SISTER, MARIEL, SPOKE OF YOU FONDLY. YOU ARE TRULY A HERO. I THANK YOU WITH ALL MY HEART FOR YOUR BRAVERY. I WILL PRAY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES!! WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU."
VANESSA of CHICAGO, IL

"I grew up with "Nate" since second grade and it really touches my heart to see so many people throughout the country who genuinely care about him. He represents the meaning of american soldier and his name will spoken with pride to future generations. Semper Fi Nate, you will never be forgotten. We all love you!!! We will honor you and speak of the great memories as we put your body to rest.

I will see you on the other side.

Dane"
Dane Jeurissen of Orland Park, IL USA

"Is this world that we're living in ever going to be peaceful ? Why such a beautiful & young man has to die? Only God knows! For now, thanks for your sacrifice Nathaniel, you'll always be remembered as a Hero for our American Nation. Your bravery goes beyond words.
"Rest in Peace sweet darlin', now that you're home" May God bless you all. I'll never forget you...for I'll carry you in my thoughts...everwhere I go there you'll be Nathaniel. Please know that my every thoughts and prayers are with his family & friends right now."
C.B. of Illinois

"Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your loved one. As a Vietnam vet, I know to well the loss of life in war. I believe your son believed in what he was doing and did it well, as a PROUD MARINE.
Vice Pres. Freeport Chptr. VietNow"
of Freeport, Il.

"Thank you Nathaniel Moore, you will not be forgotten. Your bravery goes beyond words. I want to express my deepest gratitude for your sacrifice. To the family and friends, my prayers and deep condolences in your loss. May God strengthen you from knowing that fellow Americans and people around the world care about you and grieve with you in your loss. God bless you all. A very appreciative fellow American,"
Leo Titus of Grayslake, Illinios

"To the family and friends of Cpl. Nathaniel Moore:
May God's grace be with you during your time of grief. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and we feel your loss and share in your sorrow. Bless Nathaniel for the sacrifice he has made to make a better life for the rest of us."
The Ford Family of Wells, Nevada

"To the family and friends of Cpl. Nathaniel Moore:
I am saddened by the loss of your loved one. He will always be remembered as a hero for fighting for freedom. I hope that this website will be a source of comfort and encouragement for you during this difficult time, and in the future as you recall the memories of Nathaniel, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia

Honor them by remembering... Freedom - is their gift to us But his soul goes marching on