Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"It's been 11 years since you left us and there isn't a day I don't think of you...I love you and miss u tons George ..."
veronica of CC

"You have not been forgotten."
a former 3/5 Mom of California

"Hey baby boy, its been seven years since u left us.i still miss u a lot... i still read ur last letter that you wrote me..man baby i miss u alot and all the plans that we had for each other like growing old with eachother...i miss you and love you...see you later...."
veronica of culver city

"I never want to forget the sacrifices of so many young men and women. I am so proud it makes me cry. I understand in theory only that war is a part of human nature but so is love and caring. I wish I could take the families pain away but I can't. I am committed to loving ALL people, myself and our environment. I am committed to working on my happiness everyday because so many have died for my freedom to live my life. Thank you is not enough but it is all I have. All my love and respect. ogersteiner@yahoo.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEjz-wAQLSA&feature=PlayList&p=477CB1585D5551F3"
Scott Steiner of Worthington, OH USA

"December 17,2008
hey george, as your birthday comes closer
i simply cant stop thinkin of u and how much i miss u.
i cant go without a day not thinking of u and sheddin a tear.
i miss u so much.
i miss how we would talk for hours and u makin me laugh.
i still cant believe its been 4 years since u flown away.
everyday i keep hoping its all just a bad dream but in my heart i know u r in better place.
the other day i went to where we last met b4 u left and i couldnt stop the tears fallin
and remembered how we shared our last moment together
and how we didnt wanna let each other go and how slowly our hands slid apart.
damn babyboy u promised me u were gonna come back home to me.
but i guess God had his own plans...
i will never forget u babe and i will never forget everything u taught me.
te quiero mucho mi amor... til the day we meet again U WILL ALWAYS BE MY HERO
xoxo
ur baby girl"
maria - Lupi of east la ,ca

"November 15, 2008
To the family of Lance Cpl. George J. Payton:
George 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

"it never occured to me that i would find out in such a way that you were gone. im sorry for being so selfish, God knows i loved you and always will, we were young still you always had a special place in my heart.our memories i'll treasure forever.im sure youre always watching over us, God has had his ways by testing us,thanks for the memories..farewell soldier boy..a true hero.."
au of Ba, FIJI

"GEORGE.. WHAT IS THERE TO SAY.. ITS BEEN 3 YEARS AND I STILL THINK OF YOU ALL THE TIME.. I COULDNT BELIEVE IT WHEN I HEARD...BUT I KNOW YOUR UP THERE SMILING DOWN ON US.. I'LL ALWAYZ REMEMBER WHEN ME, YOU, CARMEN AND ALBERT USE TO HANG OUT... AH MAN WE HAD FUN. I KNOW YOUR UP THERE WITH UR HOMIE TUPAC (YEA I REMEMBER HOW MUCH U LOVED HIM) JAMMING TOGETHER. I STILL HAVE THE LETTER YOU SENT ME AND THE PAPER YOU WROTE MY NAME ON WITH YOUR PRETTY WRITING.. I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU....

REST IN PARADISE GEORGE"
DANIELLE.V of SANTA MONICA,CA

"George it has been over two years now going on three since you have been gone. I still have the letters you wrote me and I will cherish them for the rest of my life. I remember the day still when I got the phone call telling me the news about your death and I couldn't believe it. I just kept telling myself it wasn't true, I had just received your last letter and was in the process of writing you back. I just couldn't believe it was true I miss you. I miss talking to you. I still remember the day you surprised me at work wearing your uniform, looking all handsome and stuff. you are missed and not forgotten in one of your letters you told me that when you got back home you wanted to take a long vacation, well now your taking the best vacation in paradise watching over everyone. I remember I was mad at you at first because of what you wrote you promised me you would be careful. You promised! But now I know it was just your destiny you fulfilled your part in this world. Now youˇ¦re living in a better place. I miss you and I hope youˇ¦re watching over me.

Always,
Nadine
You will always be my soldier boy,
LAKERS ARE #1 :)"
Nadine of Fontana, Ca

"My Life changed, the very moment I found out
That you had passed away.
I couldn't stop it; there was nothing I could say.
You've touched my life so deeply to a point you will never know,
I try to think about you when I am feeling down and low.

Sometimes when my day gets hard
I will think about your beautiful smile
and if I listen hard enough I will hear your voice after a while.
It's you who give me a reason to go on with my day,
and now if I want to see you I'll bow my head and pray.

I catch myself looking for you still,
In the halls and at your front door,
but when I call your name there is no reply any more!
I never thought a day would come where we would be apart,
God has you in his keepings, we have you in our hearts.

Life will go on, but never will be the same,
your beautiful smile is gone, but it will always remain.
You're our angel from up above.
You'll always be missed, but most importantly... loved.

Just one more minute, God, is all I ask- why can't you give him back;
it seems like such a simple task.
I guess people are right when they say God only takes the best,
I know enough now that you're peacefully at rest.

It's hard for me to understand why He would choose you to take away,
and if I ever faced him this is what I would say...
It's so UNFAIR, there were so many words that were left unsaid
and debts left undone,
Your life in heaven has only just begun.

he was heaven sent, is the best answer I could find,
Always loving and kind.
God has left us with an eternal ache in our hearts
when you sent an angel to him and said,
"Come with me it's your time to part."

I'm always thinking about that short time we had to spend,
you'll always be with me; you'll always be my best friend!
No time would be long enough to spend with you,
and what we are going to do without you here... we have no clue.

I know you're gone now, but will never be left out;
we will never forget you- in that there is no doubt.
Although you're in a new place I'll always remember you,
and remember your grace.

There are times I swear I know you're here;
I can feel you so near to me, yet, you're so far away!
I can't wait until that one sweet day
Where I can talk to you again!

You've brightened my day with a little wave and a smile!
There is so much more I can say,
but right now I will say, "see you in the afterlife
Because good-byes are forever.
In hopes I will see you again,
I know right now you're looking down on us
with a tear in your eye thinking about that horrible day
where you were forced to say good-bye."

*HERE IS A POEM FOR YOU AND MARIA(LUPE).... MARIA I MISS YOU COME HOME SAFE..I LOVE YOU BABYGURL....*"
ROSE of EAST LA, CA

"HEY GEORGE ITS ME ROSE.. WELL I KNOW THAT YOU ARE WATCHING OVER US BUT YOU ARE LOVED AND MISSED.... LUPE IS LEAVING TO HTE ARMY TO FIGHT FOR OUR COUNTRY... SHE ASKED MY TO LET YOU KNOW THAT NO MATTER HOW FAR OR WHERE SHE IS THAT LOVES YOU AND MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MUCH LOVE AND RESPECT"
ROSE of EAST LA, CA

"hey babe! rose and i are just here thinking of u. we miss you and she remembers when she told u to take care of me. and you said okay.. lol!!! well hope your in a better place with roses love emmery.." george please take care of my litto tears for me shes only 15 and i want nothing bad to happen to her. i know shes in good hands.. thank you ROSE !!!""
ROSE AND MARIA of EAST LA

"george,i think of you everyday.i miss you so much.babe you know you are my hero.i will never forget the good times.you know i love you always and forever........love, your babygirl."
maria corona of los angelea

"George I will always love you forever..its been over a year that you have been gone n i still remember u eveyday...u knew how much i loved you n always will......loving u always ur girl VERONICA"
VERONICA of CULVER CITY, CA

"Payton, it was truly an honor serving with you. Getting to know you is something that I will cherish forever. You can be sure that your sacrifices will never be forgotten by those in our platoon and company. We all love you."
Corporal Wilson, John C of Camp Pendleton, Ca

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

"Thank you George for the gift of freedom that you so proudly defended for us all. You are my hero and will be remembered each day I raise the flag in my front yard. From a grateful American family."
The Shaw Family of Pasadena, Maryland

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

"To George'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"

"To George'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 for the gift of Freedom. I will honor it in your memory."
P Bell of Macon,Ga

"To the family and friends of Lance Corporal George J. Payton,

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

"Thank you George Payton, 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. George Payton:
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 George 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. George Payton:
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 George, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia