Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"I may have never gotten to meet you but my dad has told amazing stories about you"
Mathew D. Kulak of Reno, Nevada/USA

"God bless you sir. You will never be forgotten."
Alex Morose of TX

"Matthew,
You are a true hero to us all. You will never be forgotten. I thank you everyday for what you have given us. Semper fidelis my brother."
C of Pentagon

"Thank you."

"Matt,
You are thought about often, and will never be forgotten. You are a hero in a better place. I have always believed there is special place in heaven for warriors. A place where there is no war and violence. A place of peace. I will see you on the other side Brother
GOT A FLAG
FLY IT HIGH
SEMPER FI"
Rusty Young of Reno, Nevada USA

"Matt,
"I still remember the gut wrenching feeling I got when I was in Baghdad, and a fellow Texan who I had established rapport with (knowing that I was from Mason,Tx) came to my post one day with a Mason News Paper in his hand and tears in his eyes. It was as if someone had taken every bit of air from my lungs and punched me in the stomach, when I saw the obituaries. We miss you brother, and you can rest assured that you and your sacrifices will never be forgotten. I continue to pray for your family and will always be proud to call you a brother, and fellow Marine. OORAH!!!!""
Kelby of Mason,Tx

"Hello Sue,

On this day, Memorial Day, I can't let the opportunity pass to tell you how much your son made an impact on so many lives. I used to love joking with him about the two of us being the only people in the Marine Corps from Mason Tx. He is missed by so many of us. When I go back to Texas on visits and pass Mason, your son is on my mind as well as you. I hope you are doing well and Matt's siblings."
GySgt Gabriel Flores of Temecula, CA/USA

"I still remember the brave actions you perform, years later...but feels like it all happen yesterday. That day you touched and raised the spirits high on all of us.

To the Puckett family and to his friends and fellow loved ones. Lcpl Puckett perform at his very best in the worst of times. He refuse to go home after the first near fall, that was his wish to told me (Doc) and his Chain. He did not want to leave job unfinish and his fellow marines. Took me a while to get over when you and the others had fallen. Especially you Lcpl, because the amount of time attending to you and Sgt. Alcantar wounds to get you recovered and ready for the fight. Both of you asking me to do all I can to help recover. So day and night I stayed both your sides, after patrols, scrubbing outs wounds, reminding you how you saved those people. You and Sgt. Alcantar move me when you both bonded during recovery. You made the best come out of me those days... Man... I miss you, friend.

-Rest easy, We have the watch now."
HM1 Hansford

""...7 yrs has gone so fast, wake me up when September ends." Rest easy lil brother."
Sgt Rouusseve of CA

"I never met Mathew Puckett, however my husband GYSGT David Kulak thinks he is an honorable Marine. I have the pleasure of Sue blessing us and letting us name our son after Mathew. David sometimes thinks that Mathew is "channeling" Puckett with his behaviors. I love your family Sue and will always honor what your son and our military has done for us."
Carrie Kulak of Redding, Ca

"Matt,
I thought of you today and decided to take some time to remember all the good memories we shared. You were my big brother! I'll always remember you that way. The world lost a good person. I'll always love you and I'll never forget you."
Ian Puckett of Las Vegas, NV

"To the family of:Matthew D. Puckett
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" 1-1-11"

"Matt, You and I spent many of days and night's together in Iraq, No matter the circumstance you always saw a bright side. It was an honor to serve with you. I hope your family and anyone who ever came in contact with you knows how great of a Person and a Marine you are. I Miss you Brother. You are always in my Heart. Semper Fi.

THE CORPS NEEDS MORE MEN LIKE YOU."
Sgt.Uloth of Louisiana

"I attended a USMC Birthday celebration yesterday .... and our COL told us the story of Lcpl Puckett's service. It was extremely moving! He is a true Hero!"
Jackie P of Michigan

"I remember hanging out with you and Ridings in schools. The last time we hung out was in Vegas. We had a great time."
Benny Barkley

"Matt, I know it's been a while but ur memory gives me strength of y I should strive to b a better man, I always called u lance cooly prik but we had alot of good times in Iraq, I miss u brother, love always and forever in my heart, Cpl Mighty Morf"
Cpl Morfin USMC 1stMarReg of Houston, TX

"As memorial weekend approaches I wanted to leave a note, and remind you that you’re still not forgotten. Semper Fi."
Old Man of Portand, Oregon

"I have many Memories of Matt the fondest one bieng the time we were on watch togheter and he told me "ramirez I am scared I wont perform the way I am supposed to when we get into contact with the enemy" I assured him that he would and that training would take over, well he performed like a true combat Marine I was honored to have personally known matt and will never forget that day that changed everyones life who was there. Semper Fi Juan "Ramrod "Ramirez"
Ramrod of Edwardsville Illinois

"Lcpl Puckett,
I will miss you. I never forget you from Recruit Training MCRD San Diego Plt 3074. We are nasties (LOL) Always love brother. Semepr Fi

Sgt Whitehead Chad"
Sgt Whitehead Chad of Quantico Va USA

"August 20, 2008
To the family of Lance Cpl. Mathew D. Puckett:
Mathew 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

"There's a wonderful event taking place in Topeka, Kansas on Saturday, June 14th Flag Day - 11:00 AM - The Reading. Volunteers will be reading the names of the fallen from Iraq and Afghanistan. Mathew is one of the names I'll be reading. To the family and friends of Mathew Puckett - he hasn't been forgotten. My deepest condolences to the family and friends of this patriot."
Grace of New York (Veterans@netzero.com)

"Matt
We are thinking of you on this Memorial Day. Thank you for being there on April 13. We will never forget."
Renee of Texas

"We will never forget"
Renee Ayres of Texas

"Sue Ann,
Just a note to let you know today, 9/13/07, does not go by without reflection.
Semper Fi"
Tom Kolm of Hicksville, NY

"I wanted to tell you thank you for raising a wonderful man. Matt was a great guy and a model Marine. He was a great friend and would do anything to help out the team. It was an honor to serve with him and I will tell his story with a heavy heart and pride. He was and is a great American hero and I am glad that I had the opportunity to serve with Matt."
SSgt Andrew Eades of O'Fallon, Missouri

"Sue thank you for your hero and thank you for lending him to us while we were in Iraq. Ssgt Eades and I did our best to give a hard time while he was with us in Iraq and boy could he take it and give it back with the beast of them. He was my hero and to many others too. Thats why Andy and I called him Sir cause he deserved that more than most Officers I served with in 13 years. I love you and your familly and Miss the hell out of that little bugger. I am Proud that I was able to be there and speak for Matt at the funeral. I have tattooed his name on my arm along with the other Hero's So when some one asks who's names are there or why, I can tell the story of my Hero Puckett "SIR"
With Love
GySgt Kulak David, S."
GySgt Kulak of Grass Valley Ca.

"So it's been two years. I think of you today as much as I think of you everyday. Fortunate are those who got to know you but blessed are those of us who got to love you."
Robin of Mason, TX

"I knew the day was coming close that Mathew was KIA. I never quit thinking about all of you."
Renee' of VA

"I was a friend of Matt's. Matt and I became close over the phone after we met in Vegas a few Novembers ago, shortly before his deployment. Matt and I became close and talked regulary when I returned to Indiana. The last time I spoke to Matt was 3 weeks after he was sent overseas, where he shared many thoughts of his friends and family. He spoke a lot of his patriotism and love for his country as well as his fears of not being there for his wonderful mother and brother and sister. After a while, my letters went unanswered and he stopped calling. I feared the worst and have had no way to contact his family. I learned of his death thru cnn, my heart goes out to his mother, and siblings as I know you have lost someone that loved you more than life. I was unable to attend his funeral because I did not know in time. I know that his family does not know me, but I mourn a wonderful man with you.I pray for your family regularly and miss his friendship so much. I have not had closure with his death because what I know has been the bits and peices I found online. So this is my closure...all my love Matt, America lost a great man, thanks for giving your life for many peoples freedom."
Claire of Indiana

"On March 31, 2006 a friend of Mathew's will be getting married. This man, Joseph R. Mack, who served with Mathew in Iraq, will become my son-in-law. He speaks fondly of Mathew and we wanted to let you know that we will be displaying a memorial table at the wedding, with the pictures and names of five of Joseph's fallen comrades, and Mathew will be among them. We only wish we had a picture of him, too. Thank you Mathew for serving and dying for our country. You are truly blessed for your sacrifice and it is deeply appreciated."
Patricia L. Bay of Redding, CA

"I got to know Matt very well while in Iraq. We were in the same company and we shared a living space at camp Fallujah. I got to know what a kind hearted and funny guy he was. We always talked about family and What a great one he had. I will never forget You Puckett."
Cpl Bruzek

"DEEPLY SADDEN OF THE NEWS! MY HEART AND PRAYS ARE WITH MATHEW AND YOUR FAMILY. RECENTLY, SPOKEN TO MR. KOLM; HE MENTIONED MATHEW IN OUR CONVERSATION. NOT EASY DEALING WITH LOSING A LOVE ONE. OTHER THEN TO TAKE IT DAY BY DAY. AN YES, SOME DAYS WILL BE BETTER THEN OTHERS. HEALING IS NOT EASY! MATHEW MEANT SO MUCH TO HIS FAMILY. AN WE ALL DEAL WITH OUR LOST VERY DIFFERENTLY. ALWAYS BE UNDERSTANDING TOWARD ONE ANOTHER. MATHEW IS WITH YOU AND WATCHING OVER YOU. I BELIEVE THAT WITH ALL MY HEART. OUR FAMILY LOST OUR SON. KIA SGT GREGORY L. WAHL US ARMY 05-03-04 BALAD, IRAQ MY TEARS NEVER SEEM TO GO AWAY. OTHER THEN FOR TIMES TO RELEASE THOSE TEARS FOR MATHEW AND OUR OTHER FALLEN. MOM - WHOM EVER READS THIS FROM THE FAMILY. MY E-MAIL ADDRESS IS LWAHL1@SEARS.COM LIKE TO COMMUNICATE WITH MATHEW'S MOM AND I WILL WITH MR. KOLM. SO WE CAN PASS ON INFORMATION THAT COULD BE HELPFUL TO HER. FOR NOW I'LL CONTACT MR. KOLM TO PASS ON ANY INFORMATION WE HAVE. EACH FAMILY KNOWS LITTLE OF ANY ORGANIZATION THAT CAN HELP THEM. SO WE THE FALLEN FAMILIES NEED TO NETWORK INFORMATION TO ONE ANOTHER. YOU ARE NOT ALONE, THIS INVOLVES MANY FAMILIES. GREGORY HAS FAMILY IN SPRING, TEXAS AS WELL AS HERE ON LONG ISLAND. MATHEW AND YOUR FAMILY ARE IN MY PRAYS. MATHEW DIDN'T DIED IN VAIN! HE IS A HERO! AN HE WAS A BROTHER TO EVERY AMERICAN SOLDIERS."
LEONARD WAHL of VALLEY STREAM NY

"In our eyes Mathew is and will always continue to be a hero. Thank you Mathew."
Gibbs Family of Ballinger TX

""Many people go through life wondering if they've ever made a difference, Well MARINES don't have that problem." President Ronald Reagan"
LCpl Medina of San Antonio, TX

"Dearest Sue Ann,

Be assured you and Matt are in our thoughts, especially today 9/13/05.

Semper Fi"
Tom & Jackie Kolm of Hicksville, NY

"I knew Matt since he came into the fleet. He was a great marine. I had the privalege of knowing and serving in the same platoon as him. He was a good friend of mine. He was a true hero."
Cpl. Adkison of Camp Pendleton, CA USA

"Sue Anne-
I knew Matthew as well as anybody else if not better. I am sorry for your loss. I would like to get in touch with you to speak. Please email me.
jenneyjen@hotmail.com"
Samantha Palacio(Avalos) of Oak Harbor, WA

"One of the most humble young men I had the pleasure of serving with in Fallujah, he never would accept the fact that people were making such a big fuss over him after the first incident, I remember he told me "Every ones acting like I am some sort of hero or something" and shrugged it off like he deserved no praise, well my friend you did deserve it and you are a hero, and will never be forgoten. Thanks to you and your family for every thing. Semper Fidelis, Marine."
Old Man. of 3D AABN A co.

"Matt, you are one the bravest marines I have ever met. Thanks for everything, we miss you alot."
Sgt Loughridge C.S. of Camp Del Mar

"Wanting to acknowledge the personal loss one family has suffered, and remember the options, choices and responsibilities we all have, I purchased a 'hero-bracelet'. Lance Cpl Mathew D Puckett, Mason, TX 9/13/04 is my 'hero'. Mathew, his family and his fellow comrades will be forever be in my prayers. May Peace Be With You."
Nancy B of Kansas City, MO

"To the friends and family of Mathew Puckett, My deepest sympathy for the loss of your son Mathew. Mathew was with my friend Kevin Kolm when he was killed in action in Iraq on April 13, 2004. No words can ever take away the pain the loss of a loved one, it is the mnemories and the love that keeps us going. Mathew is a true hero and will never be forgotten. Thank you Mathew... You are in my prayers."
of Hicksville, NY

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

"There is no greater love than he who hath laid down his life for another."
Nikki McCully of Mason, TX

"To loved ones of lcpl puckett he was a great warrior and gave his friends and country everything to the last moments. His time served in iraq was nothing less than a great heroic tale it was an honor to serve with such a great marine he will live through those who knew him forever you will never be forgotten
.....kamikaze"
sgt kretzing of camp pendleton, ca

"To the family of Mathew,
Our sincerest condolences for your loss. Our family has also suffered the loss of a precious life in this battle for freedom. Mathew is a true American hero and will always be remembered for his bravery and sacrifice he gave to our country. May God bless you during this difficult time."
Vic and Tammy McClain--azquail@att.net -- family of Army Spc. Daniel A. Desens, Jr. KIA 6/24/04 of Tucson, AZ

"It was a pleasure knowing this Marine. Words cannot describe the kind of person this young man was. I will always remember him for being one of the bravest Marines I know. I want to tell his parents "Thankyou" for bringing such a great person into this world. Mathew will always be remembered."
Sgt Jesse Hebert of Rifle, CO/ USA

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

"To Matt's family & friends,
I am so sorry for your loss.
Matt was with my friend Cpl. Kevin Kolm when he was killed on April 13th. Matt will forever be in our hearts for what he did for Kevin on that day. Thank you. You are a true hero."
of Hicksville

"To Mathew'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

"To Matthew's Family and Friends:

On behalf of the Blanco-Caldas family, we send our sincerest condolences from another grieving Texas family. 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"

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