Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"4'15" for the 64 mile.. 3100 feet of climbing.. 93 degrees at the finish.. represented him well.."
mitchell schwaber md of Nashville, TN

"To the Family of LCpl Shane O'Donnell: I'll be wearing his name on my bike tomorrow in a 66 mile cycling event near Nashville, called the Harpeth River Ride.. I hope he liked the heat, as it will be 99 degrees at the finish.. It's an honor to help keep his memory alive .."
Mitchell K Schwaber md of Nashville, TN

"To the family of:Shane K.O'Donnell
I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. My heart cries out for you in your grief and you have my thoughts and prayers. He died a hero defending freedom. May you have the peace and understanding that only comes from God. Prayerfully we will all 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 11677 Brown Bridge Rd., Covington, GA 30016. (770)787-1015.
Your friend in Jesus Christ, Polly Ballew Covington,Ga"2-18-11"

"I met Shane once. I had just moved into my home in Columbus, Wisconsin. I was out walking with my son and saw him get out of his truck. I knew the moment I say him he was a Marine, but I asked anyways, Hey are you a Marine? Yes, Ma'am, are you? No, I am not a Marine but, my husnand(ex now)is and was on Recruiting Duty in Madison. We talked about him getting ready to go to California then head to Iraq. He told me he would really like to meet my Husband. My husband was out of town for some training and Shane would have already left by the time my Husband got home. But we make "plans" to meet again when he got back. I said to him the same thing I always told my Husband when he would leave too.. I will see you when you get back. Be safe!

I only spoke with Shane for 10 minutes at the most that day. But instantly I could tell he was something special.

I have not forgotten Shane. He is a true American Hero. God Bless you Shane."
Danielle of Santa Monica, Ca

"November 15, 2008
To the family of Lance Cpl. Shane K. O'Donnell:
Shane 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

"miss you brother"
jake klipp of milwaukee, wi

"shane we all miss you very much and we all think of you every day."
your cousin kellie of deforest

"hi shane i just wish you were here right now i miss you more every day. rest in peace"
of deforest

"hey shane thought i would drop bye and say hi...

hope we all get to see u some day"
April G of Lodi

"Hi shane I will always miss you and i hope
i will get to see you some day soon."
Kellie of Wisconsin

"Shane,
I was reading a recent edition of Leatherneck Magazine and read about the Memorial that was dedicated at the Marine Reserve Center last Memorial Day for you and your fellow Marines from Golf Company who were killed in Iraq. I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!"

"Hey Shane, well Jason is doing great- he's a speedy lil devil- idk if you know- but his middle name is Shane, and I love my dad so much for giving Jason that honor. I plan to also carry on your name with my children when they come, so that maybe some of your strength just might pass into more souls. I hope so..."
Lacie of Lodi

"shane, plz watch over john dont let anything bad happend to him.. w.o him i dont know what i would ever do in my life he means so much to me"
April G of Lodi

"shane, everyday i think about you. everyday i miss you even more. i think about what you have done for us and i am thankful for it. i still wonder why you did it but i guess you did it because it was the right thing to do. i miss you so much i just wish i had the chance to say goodbye before you had to go....
i miss you so much. rest in peace.
¢¾nicole¢¾"
nicole of windsor,wi

"Today was the 5th anniversary of 9/11. Out of all the things to ponder and remember today, the thing I kept coming back to was Shane and what he did for all of us and the rest of the country. I hardly knew him, but I think of him as the angel who fought for what I cannot.
My love to Peggy & the rest of the family. You are the picture of strength and loyalty."
Allison Arndt of DeForest, WI

"Sunny days seem to hurt the most
Wear the pain like a heavy coat
I feel you everywhere I go
See your smile, I see your face
I hear you laughing in the rain
Still can't believe your gone

(Chorus:)
It ain't fair you died to young
Like a story that had just begun
But death tore the pages all away
God knows how I miss you
All the hell that I've been through
Just knowing, no one could take your place
Sometimes I wonder, who you'd be today

Would you see the world
Would you chase your dreams
Settle down with a family
I wonder what would you name your babies
Someday's the sky's so blue
I feel like I can talk to you
And I know it might sound crazy

(Chorus)

Today [3x]
Today [3x]

Sunny days seem to hurt the most
I wear the pain like a heavy coat
The only thing that gives me hope
Is I know, I'll see you again someday

Someday, someday

[ill see you again sumday]"
Nikky

"hi shane it's just me megan from down here how is it up there? we are doin' ok but we would be doing WAY better if you were here just thought i would say that we all miss you even Madie Roxanne's baby she know's you dont' worry but just thought i would say we all loved you and we will never forget you dont' worry"
Megan Hooker of Windsor, WI

"Shane...I miss you soo much...every day i think about you and hope you are watchin everbody...Madie roxie and brad's baby looks at a picture of you and tyler everyday and stares. She knows where you guys are.. so please keep us and say hi to tyler for me and megan and some day i know i will see you again."
Nicole O'Donnell & Megan Hooker of Windsor,Wi

"i really miss you i pray for u every night watch over john for me shane thankz rip ~April G"
April Goss of Lodi, Wi

"shane please watch over your brother john for me and make shure he dont do anything stupid cuze i love him with my life ... and i had prayed to u every night i gusse u dint hear me just please watch over john thast all i am asking in my life for him to come back u r my hero ~Ape"
unknow girl of Lodi

"One year ago you went away, we miss you Shane, we always will.
Thank you for your bravery. Thank you for our freedom!"
of Wisconsin

"Thank you Shane, you are a true hero. My thoughts and prayers are with your family."
Sara Brown of Alsip, IL

"To family and friends of Shane O'Donnell:

It's almost been a year since that devastating day...Nov 8. I will also never forget that night for I was called that night and told of Staff Sgt. Chad Simon's injuries.

Some people say that with time that pain will go away, but I don't believe that whole inside can ever be completely filled. I wanted to let you know that I think of your family often and I'm praying for your comfort. SHANE truly is a hero. I am grateful for his sacrifice. This country does offer each of us freedom, yet these freedoms don't come free. They come at a very high cost. I’m proud to be an American and I’m proud of Shane’s dedication to our country.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Evelyn1221@hotmail.com"
Evelyn Gust of Madison, WI

"Forever By My Side
(dedicated to: Shane K. O'Donnell)
I see his face in other people,
I hear his voice in every song.
I feel his hand holding mine,
even though his body's gone.

Though I cannot see him,
I know that he is here.
Standing by my side,
drying all my tears.

When I part my lips,
to say my last good-bye,
it is he who closes them,
and asks me not to cry.

By the confidence he places,
deep within my heart,
I know that I can trust,
we will never truly part.

Though I cannot see him,
I know that he is here.
Standing by my side,
drying all my tears."
Lacie LaRae O'Donnell of Poynette, WI USA

"WE ALL MISS YOU SHANE"
Ape of Lodi

"to the family of Shane

i kno i didnt know him well it was still a loss and im sorry much love to you and everyone else

your neice ~*~crystal~*~"
Crystal Olmstead of Madison, WI

"To the Family of LCpl. Shane O'Donnell:
We have constructed a memorial to the service men and women from Wisconsin and Illinois who have died in Iraq which includes, as of 6/20/05, 111 crosses and Stars of David. We would like your permission to put LCpl. O'Donnell's name on one of them. We have called our display "Arlington MidWest." 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 martypres33@yahoo.com.

We invite you to come 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." Anonymous"
Marty Preston of Wisconsin Dells, WI

"R.I.P Shane we love you keep watch over your brother for us"
April and Angelica of lodi, wi

"There's a moment in time when God calls someone home and the ones left behind feel so sad and alone
And though none of us knows when our moment will be, we know death is the beginning of eternity!
thanks for fighting for our freedom R.I.P"
April Goss of lodi,wi

"To the family of Shane K. O'Donnell:

The Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel Foundation will be honoring your loved one at the non-denominational Memorial Day Sunday worship service at 11:00 a.m. on 29 May. We will remember the casualties of the Global War on Terrorism from Minnesota … and the neighboring states of Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Outside of the historic Fort Snelling Veterans Memorial Chapel will be a “Memorial Garden” filled with white crosses bearing the names of the war dead … including your loved one.

I would like to extend to your family an invitation to honor us with your presence at worship as we pay tribute to the sacrifice made by your service member and family. Our pastor, U.S. Army Chaplain, LTC Kenneth L. Beale, Jr. will preach a message entitled “Remembering Our Freedom.” A former Soldier and country music songwriter and performer “Rockie” will pay a special musical tribute. At the conclusion of the worship hour, all of the congregation will be invited to silently pay their respects at the garden and place poppies at each of the crosses. An honor guard squad will be on hand to fire vollies as the US flag is lowered to half-staff and Taps is played.

As this Christian worship service has traditionally been well attended, we would be happy to reserve seating for you and yours. To do so, kindly call (612/970-7866) and leave a voice message indicating your veterans’ name and the number of persons attending. If you are not able to attend, we pray that you would find comfort in knowing that our prayers are with you and all of the fallen heroes.

Respectfully,
Leila Campbell
Administrative Assistant
Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel Foundation
email:info@fortsnellingmcf.org
web site:www.fortsnellingmcf.org"

"Mrs. O'Donnell,
I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of your Husband and the many others who have paid the ultimate price. My son Doyle "Wayne"Bollinger, Jr. was killed June 6, 2003 in Al Kut, Iraq. Again thank you so much."
Wyvonne Bollinger of Poteau, Okla

"Semper Fidelis Marine! I know you did your job, and did it till the end. Farewell from a former Norski!"
SPC(P) Zach Polachek, WI Army National Guard of Madison, WI USA

"Hey this is craig o'donnell and i just want'd to say good_bye!"
Craig O'Donnell of hawkins Wi USA

"Thank you for your service and sacrifice. God be with your family."
S. O'Donnell of Raleigh, NC

"Corporal O'Donnell, goodbye soldier and thank you. You are my hero."
Bill of Houston, Texas

"May I extend condolences to the family of Shane O'Donnell at this time of grief and sorrow. Your hero Shane leaves an indelible mark in my heart and mind. The crowded school aduitorium only showed how the community stands when a hero falls. As one of the pipers who played him away in June, I was deeply honored and proud to bid him his final farewell. Thank you Shane for our continued freedom. God Bless you."
Bill McInnes of Mt. Horeb Wisconsin

"To Shane's family,

I learned just this morning of Shane's death. I am saddened and heartbroken.

I was privileged to be Shane's 10th grade American History teacher at DeForest High School, and we continued to be friends after. As he continued through high school, he often stopped in to see me and chat about his everyday life and his future goals. After I left teaching to become an attorney, Shane would check in with me at law school to see how I was doing and continue to keep me updated on his life.

He was all the things I've read - brave, upbeat, always optomisitic, a young man you would be proud to call friend, brother, son. I have thought of Shane often as this war has raged... and prayed every day I would not read his name on the list of casualties.

No one who has ever met Shane could forget him. I will forever carry the image of his face filled with that boyish grin and the twinkle in his eyes.

May God Bless You and hold you in this time of sorrow.

With deepest sympathy,"
Alexandra Spaulding of Stafford, VA

"Thank you for the gift of Freedom. I will honor it in your memory."
P Bell of Macon, Ga

"To the Family of Shane O'Donnell:
I went to high school and graduated with Shane. He always had a brilliant smile, one that could change the most stubborn of frowns. I'm sure that smile traveled with him everywhere he went, brining smiles to everyone he met. Just wanted to wish you heartfelt condolences in this difficult time.
" Hatred ever kills, love never dies; such is the vast difference between the
two. What is obtained by love is retained for all time. What is obtained by hatred proves a burden in reality for it increases hatred."
~Ghandi

PEACE BE WITH YOU!!!"
Erik Van Gomple of Sun Prairie, WI & St. Cloud, MN

"To the family of Shane;
Our sincerest condolences for your loss. Shane is a true American hero and will always be remembered by us for his bravery and ultimate sacrifice he gave to our country. Our family has also lost my nephew in this battle for freedom. May God bless you during this difficult time."
Vic and Tammy McClain--azquail@att.net of Tucson, AZ

"RIP Tufelhunden..The Taylors USMC NC"

"To the family and friends of Lance Corporal Shane K. O'Donnell,

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 register so we can send you our "Love Stitched Together."

Proud Marine Mom and Proud Member of Marine Comfort Quilts"
Sandra Moudy of Placentia, Ca

"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, Shane, will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you ALWAYS. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

"Peggy and Eric, I am so very sorry to hear of Shane's death. I have a sense of the pain of total loss, devastation and sorrow you must be feeling. My prayers are with you and your family. I offer my friendship to you in whole.
Shane will not be forgotten."
Candy of Poynette, WI

"To Shane's Family and Friends:

On behalf of the Blanco-Caldas family, we send our sincerest condolences. We share the same loss ... the same pain. Our prayers are with you in this most difficult time and we thank you for your soldier's bravery and sacrifice.

Sincerely,

The Family of Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas, 82nd Airborne
KIA Iraq 12/28/2003.
Gloria Caldas (The Big Ern's Mom) of San Antonio, TX
gloria.caldas@banksterling.com"

"My deepest sympathy, our family has also suffered the loss of a precious life in this battle for freedom. May God bless you and help you through this time. Forever in our hearts a HERO Shane K. O'Donnell."
Amy & Aaron Monier of Waterford, MI.

"To the friends and family of Lance Cpl. Shane O'Donnell,

There are no words that can possibly ease your pain but please know that many across this country are grateful to your son and you. His bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Please accept these words as a token of my heartfelt sorrow for your loss.

Respectfully,"
Rebecca of Los Angeles

"To Shane's Family:
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

"Thank you Shane O'Donnell, 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 Lance Cpl. Shane O'Donnell:
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 Shane 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 Lance Cpl. Shane O'Donnell:
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 Shane, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia