Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"George,
I never met you in person, but you are a hero in the hearts of the Rentschler family. I remember hearing about you back in 03 when I was stationed at knox, it is a shame we didn't get to meet. Rest easy hero, you will always be remembered."
Ryan Rentschler of Reading, Pa, USA

"George I will never forget you because you and your oldest son were a part of my life in Germany by being a part of the YS program and coaching every sport that I afford....You were always there for the kids when I needed you thank you my Brother in Arms. R.I.P"
DAV Michael B. Ritchey Sr. of Jacksonville, Arkansas

"I still think about you brother. I hope your family has found peace. God bless."
Matthew McCartney of Medford, New York

"SSG Renschler your sacrafice has not been forgotten. I was one of the MPs you were there to help and a day does not go by that I don't think of you and your sacrafice. Had it not been for you and the rest of your unit who knows how things would have gone. May you rest in peace and know I will never forget you."
SFC Christy Winger (RET) of Colorado Springs CO

"To the family of:George S. Rentschler
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" 1-4-11"

"George,
Today is 7 April 2010, and even though times change and people change, their memories do not. As I sit here in front of my computer on yet another deployment my mind wonders back to when we were young joes'. I will never forget our friendship. I Love you bro"
SSG John Odom of FOB Lightning, Afghanistan

"To the Known and Unknown family of George:

What most people have come to realize George was a hero is so many aspects of his life. I know that he died doing what he loved. He lived to be in the fight. He left behind wonderful children and a Mother that adored him.

I say this to George now: I now that things were hard and times were difficult. I know that you loved and lost alot yourself. I also know that your daughter will always honor your memory. TO HER YOU ARE A HERO FOREVER!!! As long as she breathes you will never die. A part of you lives thru her. For me life is short and love is long lived. I will never stop cherishing waht you gave to me. MY DAUGHTER.
May Peace find YOU.
You may have Fallen but you will never be Forgotten.

Thank you for my freedom and my child"
Kimmie of Nashville, TN

"April 18, 2009
To the family of Staff Sgt. George S. Rentschler:
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

"George,
I still can't believe that I am posting a message to this page. I am truly heartbroken. 4 Years have past since I heard that you were gone and not a day goes by that I don't think about you and your family. I drove around all weekend looking for a white marker so I could post you up on my rear window. I love and miss you bro

I will see you again someday."
SSG Odom

"I have been thinking about you every day since you left this earth. My name is Matthew McCartney of Bravo Co. 2-6 Infantry. I was the guy that dragged the medic out to you when we heard the cry for help. I wish there were things that I did different that day. For one I would have made sure to bring my combat life saver bag with me. We were all just so excited that we had a hot breakfast coming to us that I left most of my stuff on my roof top position. You and I were eating breakfast together next to a truck with 3 dead Iraqi's from the night before sitting right next to us. I don't know why that didn't bother us. I guess we were just really happy to get a nice hot breakfast. Egg sandwhiches and hot gritz. I still remember the last thing I said to you before you went back to your tank. See you later. When you walked back to your tank all I heard was the sound of an RPG hitting the side of your tank. I didn't even flinch. I was so numb from the sound that I just stuck my head out from behind the cement barrier to see what was going on. More RPG's were flying through the air and bursts of AK-47 broke through the loud explosions of the RPG's. I stand up and take a bite from my egg sandwhich and hear a cry from someone standing next to you on the side of your tank. MEDIC. The medic comes out of a Hummv and takes cover behind it. I grabbed him and said stay behind me and run as fast as you can. As we ran out into this wide open area to try to help you we were met with the cracking of bullets just whizzing by out heads and an RPG that was aimed poorly. I took two down for you before we got to you. When we finally got to you which was only a matter of 30 seconds since you were hurt; we had realized that god needed you and he wanted to take you away from the mess we were in. I was the last one to leave your side before we continued to fight the enemy. I told you to go with god, and that you will never be forgotten.

The only time I ever knew you was at that dirty police station in Jisr Diyala, Baghdad. I can tell you were a kind hearted man that cared very much about his men.

Unfortunately, I was injured myself on June fourth of that same deployment. I have an award sitting on my wall as the only reminder of whan happened that day. Besides the dreams, and the flash backs. I'm sorry that I couldn't have done anything more for you. I think about it every day. And I think about how if things would have been different that day, what would have become of you. I know that you're a father, and a husband and a son. But you are also a hero. God only brings people when he truly needs them. I believe that I will see you again one day. But until then. I'll see you later."
Matthew McCartney of Farmingville, N.Y. USA

"To the Family of Staff Sgt. George S. Rentschler I am deeply sorry for your loss. I wish I could have done more to stop it. Not a day goes by that Staff Sgt. Rentschler does not cross my thoughts. My thoughts and prayers are with you."
Navin Kalicharan of Miami, Florida/USA

""To the family of SSG Rentschler. My heart goes out to you. 07Apr04 is a day that never leaves my thoughts. I was there that day with your loved one, and will never forget him. He gave his life for a Country that I, and so many others love. He is truely a hero. SSG Rentschler, you are in my thoughts every single day, and are a hero to many. God Bless You.""
SSG (DS) Aaron Diediker of Ft.Knox, KY

"To all the family and freinds of SSG. George Rentschler, I was in Baumholder asigned to 1/35 Armour,on the day God needed your angel to come home! You may not have seen it but your loved one effected this unit greatly. I still look at his memorial leaflet freaquantly. It reminds me everyday of the sacrifice he made. It rips at my heart when I look at him and his son in the photo.With George wearing his Desert uniform,and how proud a look his son had on his face.Well son,We are all proud of your father and what he has done for our country. I think of this alot, My son tells me daily that he hopes no one else would pass in IRAQ. Being from louisville,I felt some sort of connection to him.He is thought of every day. To your family, BE strong. He did this for you,and your freedom, and all of our freedom. He will not be forgotten!! Never..."
Matt Coghill (Spc) (USA) of Ft. Knox, Ky ( Louisville,Ky)

"George,
It seemed like only yesterday, you and I were freezing our butts off at Camp Colt in Bosnia. Playing football with your son, Cep, and Steve against 2/37AR in Butzbach housing behind the shoppette. It was so cold and there was so much snow on the ground, it was crazy. I still talk to my friends about that day. It was Super Bowl Sunday 1997. We were all so tired from playing that by the time the super bowl came on at 2:00 am we were all asleep. I got out of the Army in 1998 after coming back to the states, but later reenlisted after 9-11. I went back to Germany, and later to Kosovo and then to Iraq. I was stationed at FOB Gabe in Baquba. I know what you were going through while you were there. The Sunni Triangle was a terrible place to be. I have known that you have been gone, since the day it happened. We lost a soldier the very next morning. It was a horrible week. Mortar attacks, IED's, ambushes. If GOD ever intended there to be a hell on Earth, then Iraq was definitley it.
George, I will forever remember the friendship we had, the times we spent just hanging out, and the blood, sweat, and heartache we endured throughout our military careers. I think about you and all my brothers' that I lost there, and I will never ever forget you. We go where we are told to go, and do what we are told to do, yes for the American people, but you and I both know why we fight. We fight like hell for each other. I hope that your family reads this message soon, and calls me. I would love to hear from them.

I will see you again someday, until that day, know that I pray for you and your family, and I am broken hearted to know that you are gone.

I love you bro
John

johnny.l.odom@us.army.mil
(520) 459-3245"
SGT John Odom of Ft. Huachuca, AZ

"Your loved one was remembered on 27 May 2005 in Bicentennial Memorial Chapel General Protestant Worship Service in Fort Gordon, GA. His life and your sacrifice are not forgotten. Thank you. We are praying for you.
Chaplain (Major) Alva Ray Bennett"

"To the Family of Staff Sgt. George S. Rentschler I am so sorry for you loss I wish I could turn back time and stop it. I think about Staff Sgt.Rentschler every day. I was standing next to him in Iraq on this day 7 APR 05 one year ago and it was the worst day of my life and I am sorry for your loss."
James White of USA

"GOD bless you for your service to our country thank you family for your hero for USA"
john woodson of dardanelle ar USA

"Sergeant Rentschler, goodbye soldier and thank you. You are my hero."
Bill of Houston, 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, George, will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

"To George's Family:
There aren't words to express the grief we all feel for your loss. May God bless you and watch over you."
Dan and Meg Manninen of San Antonio, Texas

"Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your loved one. I feel your pain and my heart breaks for you.I too lost my husband PFC shawn Pahnke,US ARMY 1st AD,Friedburg germany,KIA on june 17. George is a hero and will not be forgotten. May the memories you have of him bring you comfort and strength. God Bless you and yours."
Elisha Pahnke of Shelbyville,IN

"On behalf of the Blanco-Caldas family, we send our sincere condolences. We share the same loss...the same pain. Our prayers are with you and we thank you for your child's bravery & sacrifice.

From the family of Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas KIA Iraq 12/28/2003"
Gloria Caldas (his mom) of San Antonio, TX

"Rest In Peace Hero"
The Taylors USMC of NC

"To George's family,
I am so sorry for the loss of George. Fighting for the people of America takes courage and guts, two things that George obviously had. I am forever indebted to him for providing his life to defend my family and other families like mine."
mark reif of winchester, VA

"Thank you George Rentschler, 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 Staff Sgt. George Rentschler:
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 Staff Sgt. George Rentschler:
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