Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"hey uncle Ross i know you have never met me but i am Lukes son And named after you Ross A Smith. my dad talks about you alot and the stories he tells me about are always funny i guess you are a trouble maker... i wonder who I got it from. we miss you lots and love you lots and hopefully i get to meet you one day thank you for your service CPL ROSS A. Smith."
Ross A Smith Luke Smiths Son of michigan

"I just wanted to say, for you and your family, that your not forgotten...When times get tough I still think about you and Greg....2/12/16"
Doc M of San Luis Obispo

"Ross, it's been a long time....I was sitting here thinking back when you and I went through Fallujah together and came across this website. I know you will never read this but I wanted to let you know I was thinking of you still man. I just retired and can't help but remember the guys that made the ultimate sacrifice. Rest in peace brutha."
Joe Galvan I Co. 3/5 2nd Plt of Oceanside, Ca

"Our son, Jack, will be wearing your name and honoring you this 2015 baseball season. Thank you for your service."
Robin and Jason Baker of byron Center, Mi

"To Sue, Mark, Matt and Luke,
Not a day goes by that we don't remember Ross. He will always be our hero and we will always pray for you!"
wanda allen and family of caledonia, michigan

"Ross I've never met you but I do know Luke I would like to thank you for your sacrifice...freedom is not free and you paid the ultimate price. Look down over your family and your brother who's a good person also who fought for my freedom...may you be at rest for all eternity devildog!"
Cliff Suttorp of Wyoming mi

"Brother: Hard to believe it has been 6 years since you left us for Heaven. I will never forgot all the great times we were able to spend together but I know we will reunite and will catch up once again. You are my little brother and my Hero. I think about you everyday. I love and miss you. Matt"

"Cuz I wish we could have served together. I still remember the time we all met it was a great time. I carry your picture in my wallet and over my heart under the ega bc your my guardian as I serve this country for out family. I regret not being there the day you were laid to rest. I know your in a better place and your always look down on me. Thank you for all you did for this counrty and it will not go unnoticed. We love and miss you always."
Cpl John C Hauber of Orange Park,Fl

"I called Ross "Smitty". I think everyone in second platoon did. He was in my squad during the invasion, and he was my team leader for a time in Fallujah. We saw a lot of firefights together. Smitty was a funny guy. When I think about him now, two incidents come to mind: during the invasion we starved for a couple days at a time, because our supply lines couldn't catch up to us or they were getting creamed by the Fedayeen, I don't know which. We found all this MRE garbage that was left by some unit that was apparently well fed, because Smitty came over to my fighting hole to share some crackers with me. Upon his offer I looked at what he was eating and it had ants in it. I declined his offer, and he just scarfed the stuff. He said he didn't care. Smitty rolled with the punches.
The other incident was after our third(and most viscious) firefight of that tour. We both were posted on this tunnel that some foreign fighters had tried to attack us from. It was nighttime, and we sat among the arab cadavers and talked about home. He told me a ton of stories about his friends and family life in Michigan. I would just sit and listen, as we looked at hundreds of orange lit artillery shells arcing in the sky towards Baghdad.
We had many nights like that in Fallujah, too.
When I heard what happened on his third tour(I wasn't there) I sank into myself for a long, long, time."
Fred Lambert(USMC, 3/5 I co 2nd plt.) of Orlando, FL

"February 5, 2009
To the family of Cpl. Ross A. Smith:
Ross 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

"well Ross you might not remember me but we went to school together at Taft i was your brother best friend in 2nd Grade and you and my brother were friends as well my name is Yovany and my little brothers name is Orlando i know we will be able to see each other one day shining down on the next generation of HEROs like your self thank you R.I.P yovanytellez@yahoo.com"
Yovany Tellez Sr. of Kentwood MI. U.S.A

"Smitty, I'll always remember you playing halo, beating the snot out of those little kids. Or the time you were an ammo-tech for a month and grew your hair out 2 inches longer than regs. We had some good laughs bro. Thanks for watching over us that day. Rest in peace and know that you're remembered here."
Ben of Wasatch

"YOU WILL ALWAYS BE A MEMORY IN OUR HEARTS" - we only knew you for a short time but we are grateful for the time we had - we think of you and your family daily. They say that time will mend our hearts, but we shall always have that ache in our hearts remembering that once in our life we knew a great man, Ross A. Smith. We keep your picture for all to see and to remind us of the sacrifice you gave for our freedom and of the sacrifice of your family - giving their son and brother. Graduation was in your honor and you will always share that moment with us. God grant us peace knowing you are with him."
Nancy Willis of Pasadena, Texas

"To the family of:Ross A. Smith 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"

"Mark, Sue, Matt & Luke: Glenn & I pray for you all everyday and I still have such fond memories of our trip to your home so many years ago and how loving your family interacted with each other. It was so easy to see how influenced your boys were by the love of mom & dad. I especially remember Ross and his curious nature and never ending energy! Please know that we are always here for you all, as we know you are for us. May the family bond never be broken and I pray that we are all together when this world is gone. Love you always and miss you Ross deeply! Uncle Glenn & Aunt Cat"
Cathy Smith of Bend, Oregon

"Ross,

My brother, I found out my first day in Afghanistan. That was fifteen months ago and I am still here. Stanson is here also now. I want you to know that I love you my brother. I will see you heaven soon. You are my hero Ross.

Love,

Your cousin SGT Jason R Smith

Uncle Mark, Aunt Sue, Matthew and Luke I pray for you everday and want you to know that I will come home eventually and will come and see all of you. I am sorry that I could not be at Ross's funeral. They would not send me home. I love all of you."
Jason R Smith of FOB Asad Abad, Afghanistan

"Ross Smith. my buddy. I know you and Greg Rund my son are having a good time in heaven.

Love You"
Mark Rund of Littleton Co

"Ross I think about you everyday! I will never forget you. I miss you so much and I know I will see you again someday and I will be able to smile again like I use to. I love you so much and never for that. Remember: yours mine and ours!"
Samantha of Wyoming, Michigan

"Ross,
I would like to say thank you to you and the other Marine who was killed in that blast for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!"

"Well Ross what can I say...I miss you more than I can put into words...you were not just my little brother you were my best friend and for that I am the luckiest person on the planet. I thank you so much for your ultimate sacrifice and I ask that you watch down on me and matt and mom and dad. I know you will. SemperFi devildog"
Luke Smith of Wyoming, MI USA

"Smitty...you will never be forgotten by your brothers in 2nd Plt. We all miss you and I think about what happened every day. You will be sorely missed. Watch over us so we can go home safely. We love you man...R.I.P. brother."
"Doc"

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

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