Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"A few days ago I was metal detecting at Oceanside Beach. I found a memorial dog tag in the sand. I would like to find the person that it belongs to as I feel it was very important to that person. I found his mother's name (Dinara Ragimov) and will try to reach her tomorrow. Please let me know if you are the owner or know the owner.
Thank you,
Jerry Goldstein
818-251-6610"
Jerry Goldstein of Escondido, CA

"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, Ohio USA

"January 18, 2009
To the family of Lance Cpl. Mourad Ragimov:
Mourad 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

""your name is slocum because you come slow to class" -Mr. Morrisson, photo
RIP Homie"
pavle of saugus

"Mr. nd Mrs. Rgimov. My name is Allison Mitchell I live in Hawaii and I am a friend of your Sons. I really cant think of anything more to say except that I am soo sory for your loss. Mourad was a great friend and helped threw many of hard times..I miss him..I am actually getting a memorial tattoo for Mourad and would like to post a picture up when I havea chance or send it toyou. But..over all I know that Mourad is looking donw on us smiling laughing and blessing us....."
Allison Mitchell of Kaneohe Hawaii USA

"""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

"To the family of Mourad Ragimov, 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. Hopefully we will all meet in Heaven one day where we will rest in the arms of Jesus. If you need someone to talk to or to pray with you please call or write my pastor at Gateway Community Church Rev. John B. Pearrell 11677 Brown Bridge Rd. Covington Ga. 30016 phone 770-787-1015"
Polly Ballew of Covington Ga. U S A

"Dear Bob and Kay.

My name is Rufat Ragimov (father of Mourad Ragimov).
I’ve just discovered this web site and red your letter in
http://www.fallenheroesmemorial.com/oif/profiles/ragimovmourad.html
Thank you for starting our communication first.
My wife Dina (Dinara) wanted to contact you all this time, all this terrible time for us.
Please forgive us not to be able to communicate to you sooner.
Mourad's wish was that when he would come home, the first thing he would do is to come to your house.
He wanted to talk to you about your son and give you his respect and tell you a lot of stories about their friendship.
We were waiting for Mourad to come home...
Ricky's death had deep affect on Mourad.
Mourad woke up in the middle of the night feeling terrible unexplainable pain in his chest,
At the time he did not know that Ricky died at that very moment.
That’s how close they were, that’s how Mourad loved your son!
Believe me it is hard for me to write this letter, I did not let myself to cry for a wile... until now...
I am not crying for myself, I am crying for you and for our sons.
Our hope we’ll meet some day, but for now you should go to http://ragimov.org
And read two Mourad’s poems and my post. Also, next week I will post pictures that Mourad took in Iraq that just came back to us.
I encourage any close relatives of 1/3 to share information.
Please send me pictures via email or regular post mail. My address and e-mail address is in there too.
I can post this information on my http://ragimov.org web site for every one to see.

I cry for our sons... can I do more to make our country a better place?

/Rufat."
Rufat Ragimov of San Diego, CA

"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 Mourad. May our memories never fade."
Rob Hopper, rob.hopper@pbsgc.com of Wynne, AR

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

"Even though we have never met our sons will always be connected. They will forever be brothers in arms. God bless you and may He ease your pain."
Helen Gilbert (mother of Richard Gilbert, Jr.) of Dayton, Ohio

"Mr. and Mrs. Ragimov,
Unfortunately we’ve never have had a chance to meet, but we share something in common. Our son Lance Cpl. Richard “Ricky” P. Slocum was killed in Iraq on October 24, 2004 He was a machine gunner on the turret of a Humvee which overturned while on a night patrol near Abu Gharib approx. two weeks after arriving in Kuwait.

I believe our boys met in boot camp in San Diego and went to MOS training together at Camp Pendleton training on the 50 caliber machine guns. They became friends and were very close prior to deployment to Iraq.

My wife Kay and I had the privilege of meeting and talking to Mourad on a several occasions when the boys would stay at our home in Saugus on the weekend while in weapons training at Camp Pendleton. They would get here on a Friday evening and return on Sunday afternoon.

We just wanted to let you know that Mourad was a fine young man and you should be very proud of him. He will be remembered as a hero. We know--as only parents who have lost a child can know--how deep and devastating your pain is. We cry with you, and pray God will comfort you and in time bring you some semblance of peace.

We have a picture of the boys while in weapons training at Camp Pendleton on our refrigerator and would like to send you a copy. I hope you can access this site or that you have friends that can print this out so you can contact us.

If you would like to talk, please e-mail us you contact information to rslocs@hotmail.com.

God Bless your family,
Bob, Kay Slocum and Family"
Bob Slocum of Saugus, CA

"Thank you Marine for your sacrifice,you are a Hero."
Mike of NJ

"To the family and friends of Lance Corporal Mourad Ragimov,

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

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

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