Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"I just found out a couple of months ago, very sad news. Lorenzo was beyond a great person, great friend and always with a smile on his face. Until we meet again my Pasodale brother. Mis condolencias para Carlos y toda la famila Ponce."
Oswaldo Lozano (olozano@ymail.com) of El Paso, TX.

"In remembrance of my classmate, coworker, and especially My Friend, Lorenzo. We met in seventh grade at Pasodale, and went on Ysleta. Truly a GREAT FRIEND and AWESOME Soccer Player. Que Dios Me Lo Bendiga A Usted Y Su Familia Mi Cana. Manny Munoz"
Manny Munoz of El Paso, Texas

"really appreciate what you did. You were such a strong man with great courage. I respect you! Thankyou<3"
America of Dallas,Texas

"Chonito it's been 6 years today that we lost you. We were best friends in high school. You considered me more than that, as I did you. We lost contact after high school, but I never forgot the person you were. You were one of the only few friends I held sacred becasue you were so pure and innocent. I loved that about you brother. We went to school together, we played soccer together and we worked together. I will never forget the things we talked about. In every team I play, I wear your number 17, proudly. Your family is in my prayers always. I miss you, until we meet again Chonito.....Luv you...."
Fer Chono Gonzalez of El Paso, TX.

"You were a nice guy. I remember that day and I take a moment of silence to remember you and SGT. Furman. We all lost something that day.Great guy and great character."
Michael of Clintwood Va

"My deepest condolences to the Ponce family and to his wife and son. I knew Lorenzo and his family from years ago when we lived in the same apartment complex and I will always have fond memories of him and his family. I thank you for your sacrifice and are deeply sadden to hear the news. There are really no words......but you will never be forgotten. Carlos lo siento mucho!"
Yazmin Glowacki of Round Rock, Texas

"I remember the longest day of my life, the day I escorted you home back to El Paso. I remember the captain of the plane saying we had the honor of escorting one of Americas heros home, I remember the look on Claudis face and the rest of your family. I remember you everyday Lorenzo."
SSG Graves of Texas

"”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 you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,450 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!
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"
Kenna of Manti, Utah USA

"September 29, 2008
To the family of Sgt. Lorenzo Ponce Ruiz:
Lorenzo 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 remember the last time i saw you lorenzo it was at my house. you had forgotten your cd...
gave it back and you said bye te quidas...
-jr"
junior claudia's brother of el paso

"News struck me deep within the heart. I knew you as a friend, almost like a brother, I barely heard the news a few months ago. My condoescences to all the Ponce family. Echenle ganas, no hay de otra.(luisgp58@hotmail.com)I leave my email so you can contact me."
Luis A. Gamboa of ciudad Juarez, chih.

"SPC Ponce was a proud, professional Soldier, and Husband when I knew him in SPT PLT, 1-13 AR. I know God will welcome this young warrior into his pantheon of heroes. Ponce...see you on the other side, Brother."
CPT Wayne R. Keeler, Commander of D CO, 1-4 INF REG., Hohenfels, Germany

"To a fallen solder, My respect goes out to you and your family, Thank you for given me another day of freedom, May you watch over your fellow solder from Gods kingdom."
SP-4 Ray Alvarado of 24th Trans Co 78-79

"We eat, sleep and live in freedom thanks to you. Continue to watch over us, as you did so proudly for our country."
Lamonde of El Paso

"remembering your service although i have never known you i am also going to iraq in 24 trans. just keep an close watch on all of us so that we complete our mission and come home. the country misses you"
pv2 flores of ft riley, ks

"To Claudia Ponce Ruiz: Remember you are a strong woman who endured such hardship but who will overcome. You are a wonderful mother and an inspirational person. Keep your head up. Your fallen hero will never be forgotten, nor will your sacrifice."
grateful friends of Fort Riley, Kansas

"Dear Claudia and Dominique Ponce Ruiz, just know that our thoughts and prayers are with the two of you. Lorenzo will forever be remembered and honored. Thank you for your sacrifice."
Fellow Americans of Texas

"To the family of:Lorenzo Ponce Ruiz 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 Family of the greatest friend and man I have ever known it was a honor to serve with Lorenzo and I will always remember him as someone who put others before himself. I love you Ponce you were more than a friend you were my brother in arms from 1/13 to 24th trans. We started as privates together and worked our way up. And until the day we meet again. I will always keep you in my heart may you rest in peace. Forever J Mitkus"
Joseph Mitkus of Boothbay ME

"I love you cousin and be strong not only for yourself but mainly for your kiddo!! Im just a phone call away and may you be strong like your husband was, ALWAYS!!! Con ganas prima, si se puede!"
IVAN DIAZ ROMERO of EL Paso, TX.

"Dear Claudia we are sorry to hear Lorenzo has passed away. We send our condolences and will pray for you and your family. I know you are a very strong person and have a loving family and many friends to help you through. We wish we were able to go to El Paso to be there for you, but we will have you in our prayers everyday. PLEASE let us know if we can help you in any way.
Love your friends always,
Angel & Jeannette Alegre xoxo

Jeannettealegre@aol.com
970 Grossmont Ct. unit B
Chula Vista, CA. 91913"
Angel & Jeannette Alegre of El Paso, TX. / San Diego, CA.

"WHEN PEOPLE REMEMBER THE NAME LORENZO,
NOT ONLY DO WE REMEMBER AN AWSOME PERSON. WE REMEMBERTHAT HE WAS A TRUE HERO NOT ONLY TO US BUT SPECIALLY TO VERO AND DOMONICK. LORENZO YOU WILL BE TRULY MISSED I THANK U FOR ALL THE FUN AND AMAZING TIMES U GAVE MY FAMILY AND MY SISTER. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS LORENZO, AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE....."
EDGAR SALAS of EL PASO

"LORENZO, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE ADVISE THAT YOU GAVE ME. I WILL WATCH OVER CLAUDIA AND DOMINICK LIKE YOU TOLD ME TO DO INCASE SOMETHING HAPPENED. I WILL LIVE EVERY DAY THINKING ABOUT THE SACRIFICES YOU DID FOR EVERYONE HERE. I REMEMBER YOU TELLING ME THAT PEOPLE HERE DID NOT APPRECIATE ANY OF THE THINGS THAT YOUR FELLOW SOLDIERS AND YOURSELF DID FOR THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE WHEN YOU WERE HERE, YOU SAW HOW PEOPLE FAUGHT OVER THE CRAZIEST THINGS. WELL JUST TO TELL YOU, WE DID APPRECIATE YOU AND SO DID YOUR WIFE AND KID WHOM FROM THAT DAY ON WILL LIVE EVERYDAY FOR YOU. THANK YOU AND YOU WILL BE TRULLY MISSED. YOUR COUSIN AND FRIEND,
ALEX (EL BUEY) ROMERO"
ALEX ROMERO of EL PASO, TX

"To Lorenzo's Family,
There are no words to express the sorrow I feel for your loss. May God bless you and give you strength at your time in need. You are in my thoughts and prayers."
Haydee Rivera of Dallas, Texas

"TO THE RUIZ FAMILY FROM THE WAHL FAMILY. DEEPLY SADDEN BY THE NEWS. MY HEART AND PRAYS ARE WITH LORENZO AND YOUR FAMILY. MANY REASONS LORENZO NEWS HIT ME VERY HARD. I BEEN WRITING AND MAILING PACKAGES TO THE 24TH TRANSPOTATION CO FOR A YEAR NOW. HELPING OUT OPERATION TROOP BOX. ANYWAY, I AM A FALLEN FATHER TO SGT. GREGORY L. WAHL, HE GAVE HIS LIFE 05-03-04 IN AN ACCIDENT IN BALAD. SO NEWS OF LORENZO JUST HAD TEARS FLOWING DOWN MY CHEEKS. I WAS THINKING OF THOSE WITH HIM TOO! LORENZO HAS NOT DIED IN VAIN! HE WAS A PROFESSIONAL SOLDIER. UNSELFISHLY, RISKING EVERYTHING FOR US ALL AND TO GIVE HOPE TO THOSE IN IRAQ. LORENZO YOU ARE THE "elite" OF AMERICANS. HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS TODAY, IT THE HANDFUL THAT SERVE OUR COUNTRY. IT TELLS ME THE MAN YOU BECOME AND ARE LORENZO. THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY AND FOR BEING A MILITARY BROTHER TO OUR SON. TO YOUR FAMILY REACH OUT TO YOUR COMMUNITY AND POLITICAL LEADERS TODAY. DEMAND A STREET BE NAMED IN LORENZO'S NAME. SO NO ONE WILL EVER FORGET HIM. IT IS THE VERY LEAST ALL CAN DO FOR LORENZO'S! GOD BLESS! GREGORY'S BROTHERS AND SISTERS ARE IN SPRING TEXAS. LWAHL1@sEARS.COM"
LEONARD WAHL of valley stream ny usa

"I am truly sorry for your loss and the loss of another young Texan. May God give you the strength and courage to face the days ahead.

Michele Carter
Sister of CPL Gary Walters
KIA in Baghdad on 24 April 2005"

"To the Ruiz family,

We extend our heartfelt condolences to you during this time of sorrow for the loss of LORENZO. He served America with diginity and honor.

No words can ease the pain you feel right now, but we hope you take some comfort in knowing that we celebrate LORENZO's life with you and will always remember him as an American Hero.

May God Bless You and help guide you through this difficult time.

From a grateful American family,"
Craig & Sharon Erwin of Oregon, United States of America

"To Lorenzo'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 as we mourn the loss of yet another of Texas' sons. Our boys are truly heroes!

By His Grace,

Gloria Caldas
Proud Mother of Fallen Hero
Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas
"The Big Ern", 82nd Airborne
KIA Iraq 12/28/2003.
San Antonio, Texas
gloria.caldas@sbcglobal.net"

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

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