Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Marco, it has been 10 years since your soul went to heaven, I miss you just as much, the pain does not get easier, Love ya Battle"
SSG Raymond L. Machen of Fort Hood, TX.

"To Marco's family and friends:
It broke my heart to find out that Marco has passed away. I attended AIT with Marco @ Ft. Lee VA in 2002 and we roomed together with a couple of other buddies(Foss, Radloff & Collins). Although AIT was only a couple of months- our bond was strong from day one. We were homies/aces- always having each other's backs or being there for support for one another.. I have numerous pics of us and our other buddies during the good times. I would like his family to have some of these items as many show him laughing/smiling and I think it depicts the great caring person Marco was. After AIT all of us fuelers were sent to different bases. Foss and I went to Carson and we knew Marco got orders to Hood. Much like Marco, we went to Iraq quite soon after getting to our active duty units. We always wondered how he was doing and missed him.. I'll never forget Marco and the great man he was. I'm now a veteran service officer in Illinois and my office will soon have a little memorial shrine for Marco w/his picture so I can point out to the veterans coming by the office needing help- what a real american hero looks like.. He will never be forgotten.. I love you Marco.
If family would like to contact me about pictures I have (or Foss-as I still see him and know he also has pics) please call me at 309-333-9587 or write me @ 2229 N. Northcrest Dr.
Peoria IL 61604"
Zachary Grattan of Peoria, IL

"Hey Mom

I want to start off by saying, I am so sorry it took me along time to reach out to you and I hurted Marco I want you to know that I love you and Marco." At the funeral I couldn't speak I was hurt and sadden. I thought Marco was going to come back to me one day as a friend or more. I wanted to explain to him what happen in the summer of 1999. Mom I know how much you loved your son, but Marco was a strong man and a fighter. I miss that strong, soft spoken, but knew what he wanted at such a young age. Marco and I dated awhile Mom, but I promise he was a kept man. Everything I read that people had to say about him let me know that he will and always will be the best at whatever he put his mind to do!!!!!!!!!! I Love You Marco D Ross. Mom I would like to thank you for raising a wonderful son and we all got a little of Marco in our hearts forever....... Remember mom that nothing can take our memories alway and joyess times we spent on earth with him. I cry still and its 2009 knowing that, I lost out on a great friend and I never got that chance to tell him I was sorry for hurting him. Marco this is my public apology, I am sorry for what could have been and leaving in such a messy way I want to let you know I thought about you everyday 3 months before your death, my mom came home and said," I just saw Marco mom and she said he is in Iraq" my heart dropped and I wanted to hear from you. I felled you Marco and I blame it on me everyday. At 16 you said you was going to the army and I said no not if you are with me! We laugh about are future and us having kids and wondering if the baby would have your eyes, my lips and etc.... For us to be so young we really loved each other and I kept your cards and teddy bears. I cry as I write, because I was the one who could have prevented this from happening our love was so strong that a fire or anything could not take you away from me, but in my absents this happened and Mom I am so sorry for that, he meant the world to me and at that young age I was more scared of who I was at the time. Marco was stable and he knew hiself at a very young age. Mom if you read this I love you for being a loving and sweet person. I love the way you made me feel at home when I came over.

I would like to leave you and Roosevelt with this

God gave us an angel, although it may seem his time was cut short. Remember, those times when his smile wiped a way a tear. Remember, the time he sent that mother day card. Remember the days he walked in the doors of our hearts and left us all changed. To know that he could never be duplicated, but his memories live on, in who ever he came in contact with. Marco D Ross you are indeed MISSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love you man............"
Crystal Orange of Memphis

"My uncle, my hero we will never forget you and will always miss u...seems jus like yesterday we were on the phone talkin, and now ur gone! Wish i could have seen u again before u left to go home. i knw ur watching over me telling me everything will be ok jus want to say I LOVE U!"
Larry Hunt

"July 5, 2008
To the family of Spc. Marco D. Ross:
Marco 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

"I went to Lanier Jr. High with Marco and he was a wonderful young man who had alot going for hisself. Marco was known as my Godbrother in school and up until now. Even though he is gone to a better place he is still my Godbrother.I kept in contact with Marco all through High School and wrote to him when he was in Iraq. We kept in touch all them years. I knew about the baby he was getting ready to have. So to you and his brother and the rest of the Family. I love yall and yall are still in my prayers till this day."
Marquita Fletcher of Memphis, TN

"Memorial Day 2007
To the Family and Friends of Marco
Your loss and his sacrifice are not forgotten we are praying for him and you on this day."
martha lee & bruce grayson of San Marcos, CA

"THIS MESSAGE IS FOR MARCO ROSS MOTHER:HELLO, MY NAME IS TYCARYA BOUYE AND I WAS THE LAST PERSON HE HAD DATED BEFORE HE LEFT.I SPENT THE THE LAST WEEK WITH HIM AT HIS APARTMENT BEFORE HE LEFT AND HE TOLD ME ABOUT THE BABY ON THE WAY .AND HE TOLD ME ABOUT YOU HIS NIECE AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY.HE WANTED TO TAKE THINGS FURTHER WITH ARE RELATIONSHIP BUT I WANTED TO WAIT UNTIL HE CAME HOME.I AM DEEPLY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.AND I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO CONTACT YA'LL TO SEND A CARD. MY EMAIL IS TYCARYA@YAHOO.COM"
TYCARYA BOUYE of KILLEEN,TX

"To the family of:Marco D. Ross 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"

"To the Ross family, I would just like to say that Marco got me through alot of the rough times in Iraq. When he would come to our FOB for fuel missions, I would call him "The Light Skinned Michael Jackson" and we would laugh and do dances like Mike. I am blesssed that God loved me so much that He allowed me to get to know Marco. Be blessed and well done Marco..well done."
Sgt Shawnna Saulsberry of 115th BSB, 1CD, Fort Hood, Texas

"TO THE ROSS FAMILY FROM THE WAHL FAMILY. SADDEN BY THE NEWS OF MARCO. MARCO THANK YOU FOR BEING A MILITARY BROTHER TO OUR SON; AS HE FELT OF YOU. YOU ARE AN AMERICAN HERO! ONE THAT WILL NEVER EVER BE FORGOTTEN! HEALING IS A SLOW PROCESS. REFLECT ON THE VERY PRECIOUS AND FOND MEMORIES YOU EACH SHARED TOGETHER WITH MARCO. HE IS RESTING NOW WITH MY SON AND ALL OUR FALLEN. HOWEVER, HE IS STILL VERY MUCH APART OF YOU....ONE ONLY NEEDS TO CHECK HIS OR HER HEART. FOURTH OF JULY IN GATLTINBURG TENNESSEE IS THE MIDNIGHT PARADE AND FIREWORKS. I WILL BE ATTENDING ALONG WITH OTHER FALLEN FAMILIES. WE WILL BE ENETERING A FLOAT TO HONOUR OUR FALLEN SOLDIERS AND TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! mARCO YOU ARE IN MY HEART AND PARYS AS YOUR FAMILY IS!"
leonard_wahl@hotmail.com of Spring Texas

"Marco, I loved you with all my heart I wish we would of had the chance to get married like we planned. You were my everything and I miss you dearly. You were a great person and I will never forget you. Love you Always"
Danielle of Austin Tx

"MARCO WHATS BABY BOY I KNOW YOU UP THERE IN HEAVEN DOING YOUR THING . IM STILL TRYING TO RAP AS GOOD AS YOU BUT YOU WERE ALWAYS BETTER .D-WILL STILL GOT THAT VIDEO OF YOU AND ME FREE STYLE BATTLING. BUT ANYWAY HOW HAS GOD BEEN TREATING YOU I HOPE WELL.SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO WRITE YOU JUST TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE FACT THAT YOU ARE GONE I MSS YOU BROTHER I LOVE YOU AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART ."
SGT. DALE COWELL of WAHIAWA HAWAII,USA

"It has taken me a long time to deal with the loss of Marco, I still cry often. We were together everyday in Iraq, I promise I will never forget you. I miss you brother"
SSG Raymond L. Machen of Fort Hood, Tx.

"Marco,
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy."
Mike Casey of El Paso, Texas

"Ross, you are truly missed aroubd A 115th FSC, Ft Hood, TX...we miss your crazy personality and the smiles you always brought...you are truly loved and missed..we'll always miss your advice on the different outlooks on life...may God keep and Bless you"
Sgt Victoria Thompson of Newton, MS, USA

"I first met Marco in 2002 at basic and became better friends with him during AIT. We shared a lot of stories and life experiences to pass the time; he was a true friend willing to give the shirt off his back. Thinking about other before himself. To the family I’m sorry for your loss. Marco was a great soldier.....friend (salute)."
SGT Radloff, Marcus marcus.radloff@us.army.mil of Merrill, WI

"I know that I dont know you but thanks for serving our country"
Jerome tookes of waycross,GA united states

"i loved marco with all my heart i wish i would have got to see him. we met in june 2002 in basic training and also we was dating in fort hood before i was deployed to iraq. im sorry for your families loss i also loss someone he was my best friend he was a good man."
spc sandra stovall of fort hood tx

"To the family of Marco Ross,
Just wanted to let you know that you are in my prayers and my families. I did not know him but I feel your pain. I lost my brother in Mosul, Iraq on November 7, 2003. His name was SSG Morgan Kennon also from Memphis. If you need anyone to talk to please feel free to contact me anytime at 901-522-0126. My mother and I jnow what you are going through. Keep God in your life and continue to pray and keep faith. I will not tell you that it gets better because it does not, but one day you will be able to go on with everyday life. I believe Marco was a wonderful young man and he is now in a better place with my brother and they are watching out for each other and for us."
NICOLE of Memphis, TN. USA

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

"To Marco'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 Marco'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 the family of Marco,
Our sincerest condolences for your loss. Our family has also suffered the loss of a precious life in this battle for freedom. Marco 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."
The McClain family--azquail@att.net of Tucson, AZ

"Thank you brave soldier for sacrificing your today for my children's safer tomorrow. You have our utmost respect and gratitude. May God provide your family with comfort in their time of sorrow. May you forever rest in Heavenly peace. Neither you nor your sacrifice will be forgotten."
a grateful family in Phoenix, AZ

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