Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"SPC Polley died almost two decades ago so I don't know if this message will be seen. In honor of Memorial Day, my agency hands out cards with names of those who have fallen. This year, 2023, I received the card for SPC Polley and was inspired to look up more on him. I am thankful for his service and sacrifice. He is not forgotten."
Jason of Colorado

"I remember that early morning radio call about an IED explosion and that it was a pretty strong explosion, I never would of thought it was Spc. Polley, and Sgt. Randle, they were together during that IED sweep mission. I had just gotten back from mine when it was their turn to go out, never thought that would of been the last time I saw him. He was a good guy, we lived in the barracks back at Fort Hood, TX, and I remember he would always come to my room to borrow DVD movies that I had a collection of while I was there at Fort Hood. We would hang out together at times while there in Fort Hood and in Iraq. He always was in good spirits. I miss you brother, but I know we will get to see each other again sometime when I get up to Heaven. Enjoy Heaven brother your in a better place now.
Former Sgt. Gabriel Acosta served in the US ARMY from 2000-2004. 1st Fire Gunner."
Sgt. Gabriel Acosta of McAllen, TX

"Specialist Larry E. Polley Jr. will be honored and remembered this evening, April 14, 2016 at the City of College Station City Council Meeting."
Ben Roper of College Station

"I was his team leader and served with Polley, We nicknamed him Rollo, like the one from Fred Sanford and Son. He was a funny guy but all business when we where out there. We where on a mission together one night and I got hit . He ended up making me smile about the situation. Just the kind of soldier he was. Man do I miss him. To his Son,I picked your dad up at the Aiport in Balad Iraq when he came home from leave. He had just gone home to see you for the first time and we talked about how you changed his life. He got back to our base and we shared some personal feelings he had. he shared a premonition with me that I will never forget. Please feel free to contact me if you want to talk or want some questions answered about those last few days and even that morning as he was leaving the base in Taji donadbango@comcast.net"
SSG Donald Bango(Ret) of Washington State

"I was his team leader and served with Polley, We nicknamed him Rollo, like the one from Fred Sanford. He was a funny guy but all business when we where out there. We where on a mission together one night and I got hit . He ended up making me smile about the situation. Just the kind of soldier he was. Man do I miss him. To his Son,I picked your dad up at the Aiport in Balad Iraq when he came home from leave. He had just gone home to see you for the first time and we talked about how you changed his life. He got back to our base and we shared some personal feelings he had. he shared a premonition with me that I will never forget. Please feel free to contact me if you want to talk or want some questions answered about those last few days and even that morning as he was leaving the base in Taji donadbango@comcast.net"
SSG Donald Bango(Ret) of Washington State

"i am his son"
christian polley of houston

"To the family of:Larry E. Polley
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""

"SPC. Polley you will never be forgotten!"

"”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to the hero’s Mother, Father and/or spouse. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,800 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
This is a gift! We have some wonderful sponsors who help with the costs, and only want you know that we care.
Contact us directly at Projectcompassion@manti.com or go to www.heropaintings.com . If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Kenna"
Project Compassion of Manti, Utah USA

"Larry, brother where do I start?? I miss you everyday. I often think about the times sitting in the barraks eating KFC before we deployed and talking about our girl issues. I think about the times we got pissed at each other and fought bout dumb sh^t. It all seems so stupid now. I remember the night we got the call with SSG Ziegler in tears, you're my hero Larry Earl. This shi^t dont get an easier as time goes by. I think of you often and can only wonder how your little baby is doing. I miss you so much brother. These last ten years in the military has changed me so much and yet no single incident has had such an impact on me as losing you. I miss you and will NEVER forget you. Rest in peace brother. You will never be forgotten."
SSG Turner, J. of Fort Leonard Wood

"ITS BEEN FIVE YEARS WITHOUT YOU! IT HAS BEEN FIVE HARD YEARS! I KNOW IT TOOK A LONG TIME FOR ME TO COME AND POST! BUT I'M HERR I TOLD U I WOULDN'T FORGET! JUST LAST NIGHT I WAS LAYING IN MY BED THINKING ABOUT YOU AND SAYING TO MYSELF GOD I WISH HE WAS HERE! I HAVE JUST GOT TO THE WAY THAT I CAN GO SOMEDAYS WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT U BUT EVERYTIME I THINK ABOUT U IT BRINGS TEARS TO MY EYES BUT ALSO A SMILE! YOU I THINK ABOUT WHEN WE USE TO DO LIL THINGS !LOL I GUESS I'M STILL EMOTIONAL ABOUT YOUR DEATH CAUSE RIGHT NOW SWEETIE MY TEARS ARE FILLED WITH TEARS BUT I KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN A BETTER PLACE! I KNOW THAT U FAUGHT FOR WHAT U BELIEVED IN! THAT I KNOW BECAUSE NO ONE COULDN'T CHANGE YOUR MIND! FOR THOSE THAT DIDN'T KNOW MY HUSBAND HE WAS A GREAT PERSON I ALWAYS KNEW THAT! WE WHERE VERY YOUNG WHEN WE GOT MARRIED BUT THAT DIDN'T STOP HIM. HE WAS SO DETERMAINED HE WASN'T GOING OUT WITH OUT A FIGHT HE WAS SO HAPPY TO GO FIGHT FOR HIS CUNTRY I REMEMBER HIM SAYING "YES I GET TO GO TO IRAK" AND WAS SO HAPPY. ME AS A WIFE I HAD TO STAND BEHIND HIM I NEVER AGREED WITH IT BUT AS A WIFE THATS WHAT A WIFE JOB. I BEGGED HIM NOT TO GO I TOLD HIM LET ME SHOOT U IN THE LEG HE SAID NO BABY YOU WILL GO TO JAIL! I SAID SO U WILL GET ME OUT BUT AT LEAST U WILL BE SAFE! HE WAS LIKE NAW BABY I WAN'T TO GO I WAS TRAINED FOR THIS! I HATED TO SEE HIM LEAVE AND GOD KNOWS THAT! WELL I COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT IT SO I'MA WRAP IT UP! ONE THING MY HUSBAND TALKED ABOUT WAS GETTING OUT OF THE ARMY AND LIVING TO TELL HIS KIDS AND GRANDKIDS ABOUT EVERYTHING! SOMETIMES IT HARD FOR ME BECAUSE MY KIDS REMEMBER HIM AND THEY ASK ABOUT HIM AND THEY SIT AROUND AND THEY SAY MOMA I MISS LARRY! AND ALL I CAN SAY IS BABY I MISS HIM TO ITS SO HARD! AND LIL CHRISTIAN OMG HE LOOKS JUST LIKE YOU I GOT THIS LIL STATUE OF U IN HIS ROOM SO HE KNOWS WHO U ARE! HE'S SMART TO HE ALSO WANTS TO BE A DOCTOR SO THAT HE CAN SAVE LIVES. BUT I WANT ALL THAT READ THIS TO KNOW ITS NOT A EASY TASK ITS HARD SO I WISH ALL TROOPS HOME SAFE I DON'T WANT NOONE TO GO THROU WHAT I WENT THROU AND IS STILL GOING THROUGH IT BECAUSE IT GETS HARD!MY PRAYER AND THANKS TO YOU ALL! ONE MORE THING B-4 I FOR GET LARRY IF U WAS HERE YOU WOULD BE SO PROUD OF CHRISTIAN, BUT HE MADE THE COMMENT THE OTHER DAY AND I KNOW IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE GOOD LORD BY MY SIDE I WOULD OF BROKE! (HE SAID MOMA I WANT TO BE A DOCTOR SO I CAN SAVE PEOPLES LIFE, HE SAID BUT MOMA I DON'T THINK ITS FAIR. BECASUE THEY COULD SAVE MY DADDY LIFE)THE ONLY THING I COULD TELL HIM WAS THE TRUTH WHICH WAS BABY YOUR FATHER DIED FOR FIGHTING FOR US. THATS SOMETHING HE WANTED TO DO AND HE'S ALWAYS WITH US. SO BABY WE MISS YOU I GOTTA GO BECAUSE I CAN GO ON AND ON LOVE YOU! REST IN PEACE AND I HOPE U GET THOSE WHITE WINGS HEAVENLY SENT!"
SEBRENA POLLEY of HOUSTON,TEXAS

"I only just now found this tribute to Larry. I wish that I'd found it sooner.I'm Erik Choron's dad and knew Larry when he was in High School and a fiend of Erik's in band. I'm a Center native and I know his entire family. God Bless all of you and may God give you strength in what has to be an ongoing time of loss. No one who knew Larry will ever forget him. He was a great kid and a fine young man. He gave his all for his country."
Dr. J. Lee Choron of Moscow, The Russian Federation

"January 11, 2009
To the family of Spc. Larry E. Polley, Jr.:
Larry 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

"Polley is and will always be a homeboy. All old crew will know that. He died on my watch and for that I am truly sorry I should have been back on time. You were the one person I swore to your wife I would bring back. I am sorry I failed her and you. No excuse, I should have been there. I will have that cross to bear. you were and are my boy from H.Q. QRF to light fighters we went through it together. I was Infantry from the jump and tried to tell you about any deals you might encouter and how to handle them. You listend and there was no way I could tell you how to deal with what happend. You can't beat an I.E.D. We had had a talk about who would go first at one time, we both agreed it would be me. I told you no problem don't worry about it, you said if you went first kill them all. It made me laugh at the time but homeboy I tried and you know me I got the deal done. Even if you don't approve how I did it it was done. Two got taken in Baghdad, two got taken by me. I am sorry for what I did but it is done and you told me you wouldn't judge. Lived up to my word. Even signed the flag. Catch you on the flip side, hope you will welcome me. Gods I miss you"
anonomus

"There's not one day that goes by where I don't think of you Larry. You were a great friend and to say I served with you makes me proud. You keep a smile on your face even when we were tired from all our work as ammo dogs and launcher drivers. I pray for you and you family. Alot has changed since then but even now I live my life to the fullest to honor you and SGT Randle you are missed and I pray god has you watching over us always"
SGT Robert J. Delgado of Rosenberg,TX

"Although I am from Center, Texas, I did not know Larry Polley. However I am sure that I know his family. I first found out about Larry in 2005. I was in a chapel at Camp Cedar II, Iraq, simply passing through on my way to Anbar Province, when I decided to take the time to read the names on the Fallen Heroes Memorial there. Larry's name and home town was there. I have always thought of this fellow Rough Rider who gave his life for our country. Now I am over here again, and stationed about 15 km from Camp Cedar II at Camp Adder/Tallil. To the family of Larry Polley... Please know that your grief is shared by many for this young man. May you find solace in the fact that he is remembered and revered by many. I hope that his children will grow up to understand and appreciate the great sacrifice their father and many others have made for their freedom and way of life. May God bless you. Larry Polley is fallen but not forgotten."
Dale Campbell of Camp Adder/Tallil, Iraq

"Larry was a very good friend of mine in High School. We always messed up on chair test to be able to sit next to each other in band many times over the first four years we knew each other. I remember when he told me he had joined the Army and what his MOS was. I know that he sits in heaven now watching over us. He will always be missed and never be forgotten."
Erik Choron SSG USA of Center, Texas

"I was stationed with Larry at Ft Hood and was there on 17 Jan 04. We all used to sit around and joke and quick witted Polley always had somehing to say. Never once did I see him mad--he always had a little smile on his face. I keep you and your family in my prayers. You will never be forgotten!"
SSG Christopher M. Lilley of Beaumont, TX

"To his family: We will never forget those who died for our freedoms; never."
Will of Memphis, TN

"I'm a Polley from England, idly searching in the web, but the messages i have read today really touched me and reflect what waste the war has caused, for the loss of a well loved man."
Carys Polley of Oxford, England

"To Family of Larry Polley,
My son served in Taji with Larry and was with him shortly before he was killed on January 17th. He shared with us what a great soldier Larry was and our family is so proud of him. His sacrifice will not be forgotten by us and our deepest sympathy is with you always.
The Holman Family"
Kathy Holman of Hastings, Michigan

"Spc Polley came to me as a brand new private, he had his ups and downs but eventually excelled into a perfect soldier. You will be missed, I still think about the times we would kid around with you and you always had a comeback. I only wished that you had more time to spend with your daughter before returning back to Iraq after mid tour. You will always will be a hero to us and your family. God bless you."
SFC Stephenson of Ft. Hood TX

"Larry Earl was a freind and and a brother we had some had times but we got through them together. The hardest time I had was
losing him. It hurt but Charlie Mike. Never forgotten."
Thomas Jarman of Ft. Hood

"I am a descendant of a Polley family. We are so grateful for Larry's service and sacrifice for this country and us. God Bless Larry, his family, and the USA."
John Brassfield of Newcastle, CA USA

"I am sure that Larry was a fine young man. May God be with You and yours."
Janet Lenhart (Polley decendent) of Richmond, VA

"I WAS STATIONED WITH POLLEY AT TAJI FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AND I REMEMBER HIM AS GOOD A SOLDIER AS YOU COULD EVER WANT TO HAVE AROUND. HE WAS FUNNY, COMPASSINATE, ALWAYS TALKED OF GOING HOME (AS WE ALL DID). I WAS DEEPLY HURT WHEN I HEARD OF HIS DEATH AND HOW I FELT I WISH I COULD HAVE BEEN THERE TO SAVE HIM AND THE OTHERS WHO PASSED ON THAT DAY. I WILL TRUELY MISS HIM EVEN THOUGH I ONLY KNEW HIM FOR A SHORT TIME. I PRAY FOR HIM AND HIS FAMILY ESPECIALLY DURING THESE HOLIDAY SEASONS. GOD BLESS THE POLLEY FAMILY. I WILL MISS YOU, POLLY! HUAH"
MICHAEL JAMES THIELEN of TX USA

"I just saw a piece about Larry on CBS. He looked like such a nice guy. His family and friends are now in my thoughts."
Kathy of Dallas, TX

"To the family friends and loved ones of Larry. Please know you have my deepest sympathies and my thoughts and prayers are with you. I share in your loss. My fiancee Spc Shawn Davies lossed his life on 7-8-04 he was 22. He was a bradley driver but was with the 1st Calvary Division in Ft Hood. I hope that you may find some comfort in your memories of Larry and that God has given you strength through your most difficult time, and Larry you will always and forever be an American Hero. God Bless!!!"
Autum Shingler ashingler09@yahoo.com of Aliquippa, Pa

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

"To Larry's famliy: Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. I read your Larry's name at a rememberance vigil in Denver...you are in my prayers."
Oren Briese of Castle Rock, Colorado

"I never met Larry Polley. I've been thinking about him and his family ever since I saw his name listed as a casualty, because one of my cousins has the same name... For almost 4 months, finding a way to pass my sympathies on to the family of Army Specialist Larry E. Polley, Jr., has been on my to do list. I'm so sorry to here about your loss."
Beth Polley Stefan of Los Angeles, CA

"Larry Earl,
It's been a few months now and I still cannot believe you are gone. Things are different without you. Your smile and humor could always brighten a room. Us "ammo dawgs" will never find another person who was as fun to be around, or as good of sport when we picked on you..lol. You were awesome. We will NEVER forget you and your sacrifice. You will always be our brother and comrade. To your family, I pray for them often. May God comfort them and show them His neverending encouragement and faithfullness. I miss you bud. RIP"
PFC Ryan Smith of Taji, Iraq B-2/20 FA

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

"I was deeply saddened to hear about SPC Polley's death. I am a 1989 graduate of Center High School, and I've been in the Army for 11 years now. This is the first time I've ever heard of this happening in my home town, and it really hit home with me. My heart goes out to the family and loved ones that he left behind. Nothing can replace him in their hearts. My prayers go out to you all. God bless you and keep you safe in this time of sorrow and grief."
SFC Robert Thomas of Mansfield, Ohio

"Please accept my condolences to you all. I lost my nephew, Sgt.Ryan C. Young, the very same way on Dec 2nd. I pray that God gives you peace in knowing that Larry will NEVER be forgotten for his unselfish act of love by giving his life so we can have freedom. You will be in my prayers and I hope you know you are not alone. Thank you Larry, we will never forget you."
Maureen Ledet of San Angelo, Texas

"To The family of SPC Polley:
My deepest condolences go out to you in this time. Thank you so much SPC Polley for giving your life so that ours will be safe. God bless you all!"
Meg Hamill Manninen of San Antonio, Texas

"May you find comfort in knowing how many people share your sadness and loss. Thanks to Larry for fighting for our country. HE is a TRUE HERO! Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless your family! We Will NEVER FORGET!"
The Grogan Family (USMC) of Lakeland, TN

"Thank you Larry Polley, Jr., 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 Spc. Larry Polley, Jr.:
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 Larry 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 Spc. Larry Polley, Jr.:
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 Larry, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia