Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Thinking of you today Alberto. Sitting in the CP, watching funny videos before any training exercise, eating burritos, and laughing. God Speed Alberto."
patrick coley of Great Falls, Mt

"I had the pleasure of serving with Alberto. When we first meet Alberto was serving as a team leader, while conducting training I noticed that Alberto had a great leadership ability, and recommend that sgt Sanchez attend the next promotion board, Alberto accepted the responsibility of a squad leader and led his squad in Iraq with honor. Alberto would always give vital information to make all operations in Iraq a huge success. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't take a moment to thank Alberto and his family for the ultimate sacrifice a soldier had to do for the freedom we have. God bless Alberto, you are missed by family, friends and a great nation."
Patrick coley 1Sg of Colorado

"To the family of:Alberto V. Sanchez
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""

"Even though i never had the pleasure of meeting SSG Sanchez my heart goes out to his family and friends. I wear his memorial bracelet and not a day goes by where i do not pray for his family and the many other victims of this terrible tragedy. God bless you."
erin of fort benning, GA

"June 24, 2009
To the family of Staff Sgt. Alberto V. Sanchez:
Alberto 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

"although i didnt know SSG Sanchez, my heart goes out to him and his family. my husband is part of 1/68, and was with Sanchez in iraq. for all of our fallen soldiers, your memory lives strong. we will always remember."
susan barbour of ft. carson, colorado, USA

"i dont know where to begin the first person i met when i arrived at ft carson was sgt sanchez he was my unit sponsor and little did i know that he would later be my team leader there are so many things that i could say everything that i know as a infantry man i learned from him from the day i arrived at B co he was my mentor the kind of soldier that every new soldier needs to have as a mentor and a guy to look up to he never let up and was always pushing me to be better at every thing i do it is because of him that i have become a good soldier i remember i day i lost my eye protection so he made me tie them to my BDU top i lost a lot of things in the field and he was telling me that when he was done with me i would never forget anything ever again and its kind of funny but he was right because he made me low crawl and load magazines for 2 hours in the snow over and over again i was not the most squared away pvt in the army but sgt sanchez did not give up on me he helped me day in and day out he was like a brother and to me that was important because i come from a broken home and to have someone like him to teach me and help me even when i could not get it right he would stand over me until i did get it right i'm now a spc and going to the board to make my E-5 and it all because of sgt sanchez i would not be where i am today because of him there is not a day that goes by that i don not think about him when my team leader and my team tell me your squared away vanarsdale all i can say is i had one of the best sgt's in the army to help me along the way and i pass the knowledge that he gave to me down to the soldiers that i now mentor i have met alot of people in the army but none will compare to sgt sanchez and i would like to tell his family and his mother thank you and i am sorry for the great man u have lost he will never be forgotten and i thank god for letting me meet such a great man i never had a chance to tell him thank you so i guess now is as good as any " thank you sgt sanchez for all that you have given to me i will continue to learn and strive to be better in all thing i do good bye we will met again""
Spc Vanarsdale. Jeffrey of FT. Riley

"i dont know where to begin the first person i met when i arrived at ft carson was sgt sanchez he was my unit sponsor and little did i know that he would later be my team leader there are so many things that i could say everything that i know as a infantry man i learned from him from the day i arrived at B co he was my mentor the kind of soldier that every new soldier needs to have as a mentor and a guy to look up to he never let up and was always pushing me to be better at every thing i do it is because of him that i have become a good soldier i remember i day i lost my eye protection so he made me tie them to my BDU top i lost a lot of things in the field and he was telling me that when he was done with me i would never forget anything ever again and its kind of funny but he was right because he made me low crawl and load magazines for 2 hours in the snow over and over again i was not the most squared away pvt in the army but sgt sanchez did not give up on me he helped me day in and day out he was like a brother and to me that was important because i come from a broken home and to have someone like him to teach me and help me even when i could not get it right he would stand over me until i did get it right i'm now a spc and going to the board to make my E-5 and it all because of sgt sanchez i would not be where i am today because of him there is not a day that goes by that i don not think about him when my team leader and my team tell me your squared away vanarsdale all i can say is i had one of the best sgt's in the army to help me along the way and i pass the knowledge that he gave to me down to the soldiers that i now mentor i have met alot of people in the army but none will compare to sgt sanchez and i would like to tell his family and his mother thank you and i am sorry for the great man u have lost he will never be forgotten and i thank god for letting me meet such a great man i never had a chance to tell him thank you so i guess now is as good as any " thank you sgt sanchez for all that you have given to me i will continue to learn and strive to be better in all thing i do good bye we will met again""
Spc Vanarsdale. Jeffrey of FT. Riley

"I first met SSG Sanchez back in 2004 while I was serving as the Bravo Company, 1-68 Armor commander. It was December, and the company was bivouacked at Range 131, training squad battle drills. The days were long and cold and the training was repetitive. My 1SG, 1SG Martinez, decided to start a competition between the squads to make it a little more interesting. It was out there on Range 131B that I learned that SSG Sanchez was special. 1SG Martinez’ standards were high, but SSG Sanchez’ were higher. Lesser squad leaders would get frustrated when 1SG Martinez’ unrelenting voice boomed out, “Stop – do it again.” But SSG Sanchez thrived on the tough training, leading his men by the highest quality personal example. Covered in sweat, dust, and cactus thorns, SSG Sanchez’ squad won this humble competition by a mile, earning the coveted title of “Blackhawk Company Top Infantry Squad” out there in the dark on the top of the hill on Range 131. Suffice it to say that the heart and sole of 3rd Platoon was SSG Alberto Sanchez. He was one of the best infantrymen and non-commissioned officers in Blackhawk Company. He will be sorely missed.

SSG Sanchez has left an indelible mark on the Silver Lions. He died defending his country and I am extremely proud to have known and served with him in the profession of arms. Alberto, I will always call you a brother, as do the rest of the Silver Lions. You have now joined an elite few that lead the way on our path in combat. You have joined the few that we will never forget. We will always raise a glass to your honor and sacrifice."
MAJ Daniel Holland of 1-68 Armor, FT Carson, CO

"My sincerest condolences on the loss of your loved one. May God grant you peace and strength to face the road ahead.

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

"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, Alberto will be remembered by name.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Pat & Sandi Breckenridge / Montana
May we always remember: FREEDOM ISN'T FREE! "

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