Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Hello Stephen,
I wish I could have met you, I assume we are actually somehow related. My last name is also Snowberger and my dad (Barry) and his dad (Arthur) and his dad (Albert) are all from Pennsylvania too. My dad always talked about some farm/commune up there called Snow Hill that was established by our Swiss ancestor Johannes way back in the late 1600's. It's kind of odd but I was supposedly going to be named Stephen but my parents changed their mind at the last minute. I was also going to join the Marines and ship off to Iraq but the recruiter tried to screw me over and trick me into signing up to be a mortar man instead of the job I wanted and what was promised to me by the recruiter.

It's a strange life down here, I hope it's more peaceful where ever you are. Maybe I'll see you on the other side someday.

Until then..."
Beau Snowberger of New Braunfels, Texas

"I was stationed at Fort Drum with "Snow" when he first came to us. I worked with him day in and day out before our deployment. Although it has been 6 long years since he was taken from us far too soon, I still think about him quite often. You will be forever missed brother."
SSG (R) Jason Dean of Newburgh, IN

"Shephen,
i love you with all my heart you were took from us an i miss you sooo very much it hurts that we never got to go further with our life together..i love you hunny!!"
shannon of Newark,Del

"May 7, 2009
To the family of Pfc. Stephen P. Snowberger, III:
Stephen 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

"Christmas has come and gone but it is not the same without you."

"I'M SO GLAD THAT I FINALLY FOUND A PAGE TO HONOR YOU AND LEAVE YOU A MESSAGE IN WRITING. ALTHOUGH THE ONES I SAY TO MYSELF MIGHT BE ENOUGH IT FEELS MUCH BETTER THIS WAY. I LOVE YOU AND I MISS YOU SO MUCH. I STILL CANT BELIEVE THAT YOUR GONE AND IT HURTS THAT I NEVER GOT A CHANCE TO SAY GOOD BYE! I THINK ABOUT YOU ALL THE TIME. FOR STEPHEN'S FAM. & FRIENDS THAT READ THIS MY NAME IS CRYSTA AND I WENT TO JOB CORPS WITH HIM. I NOTICED A LOT OF PEOPLE STAYED AWAY FROM HIM BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT HE WAS A LITTLE WEIRD BUT I WENT TO HIM AND TOOK THE CHANCE TO GET TO KNOW HIM AND DEEP DOWN HE WAS THE SWEETEST PERSON I HAVE EVER MET. SNOWBERGER(as he was called in on da rock) CALLED ME HIS RED ROCK MOTHER AND I TOOK HIM ON AS MY SON. ALTHOUGH WE WERE THE SAME AGE WE HAD THAT BOUND WITH EACH OTHER AND I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO HAVE THAT BACK. HE TOLD ME A WHILE AGO THAT HE WAS INTERESTED BEING AN AMERICAN HERO BUT AFTER I EXPRESSED HOW I FELT ABOUT HIM EVER GOING HE NEVER SPOKE OF IT AGAIN. AFTER I GRADUATED HE WROTE ME A LETTER AND SENT ME A CARD AND BECAUSE OF A FAM. ISSUE THEY WERE LOST AND I NEVER GOT AN ADDRESS TO WRITE HIM BACK. OH... I WISH THAT I COULD ATLEAST GO BACK THAT FAR I KNOW I WOULD HAVE ATLEAST BEEN ABLE TO SEE HIM ONE LAST TIME. AFTER I LOST THOSE I KEPT CALLING UP TO RED ROCK TO SEE IF THEY HAD HEARD ANYTHING FROM HIM AND THE LAST TIME I CALLED WAS IN MAY AND HIS R.A. GOT ON THE PHONE TO TELL ME THE TRAGIC NEWS. I WAS SHOCKED AND ALL I COULD DO WAS DROP THE PHONE AND DROP TO THE FLOOR. STEPHEN P. SNOWBERGER III, MY LOVE, MY R.R. SON, MY FRIEND... I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART AND ALL MY SOUL AND I MISS YOU DEARLY. R.I.P. 4 EVER AND ALWAYS. LOVE ALWAYS, YOUR R.R. MOTHER, CRYSTA"
CRYSTA V. PARRILLA of PHILADELPHIA.PA/ USA

"Even though you were taken from us over a year ago, you are right with me every day."
Friend of USA

"You were taken from us over a year ago and I still can't believe it. I think about you everyday and see you in Chris. We miss you so very much. You may be gone but you will never ever be forgotten."
Denise of New Castle, DE

"Stevie you were a dear friend and a little brother to me and jeff and tobi.... today we celebrate your memory. i know we will never let a day go past without thoughts of you. we love you and miss the nights with my guitar you and jeff singing in the tents.. love you man"
Martin Hunter of Dallas Texas

"To the family of:Stephen P. Snowberger 111 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"

"It was truly an honor to have gotten the chance to know Stephen. My husband served with him and was also present when it occured. I myself try to make heads or tails of the situation but i don't think we ever will. To you, Stephens mother, I hope you know that everyday I think of you and admire the strength that you have. Your son lives in each of us here at Drum and I feel much safer knowing that he will be by my husbands side when he goes back to that god awful place. Just remember that he died a hero and he will always be a hero in our eyes. I look at it as not just loosing a friend but also my brother because we are a family here these guys are not just soldiers. With all my deepest love. To the mother of a hero!!!!!!!!!!!"
Dalana Chapin of Ft Drum, NY

"I was lucky to have met my nephew and gotten a chance to see him smile. Bless you young man for following your heart and serving your country. May I hold you one day and say so to your face. You are missed."
Sandra Snowberger of Delaware

"I miss you Uncle Stevie."
Josh of Delaware

"I met stephen back in middle school. Everyday he brought a smile to my face. After he left middle school it felt so boring there. On May 11, 2006 when i read the newspaper i never thought i'd stop crying. Stephen was the best friend anyone could ask for. I can't wait till the day that he greats me in heaven with that big smile of his and welcomes me in through the gate! I miss him dearly! And it gets worse as the days go by..."
Jenna James of Bear, Delaware

"RIP good solider"
Emily of muncie indiana

"We set a place for you today as we gave thanks to you and your fallen commrades. Although, it has been six months without you, you are always in my heart and I miss you deeply. This family will never forget and always remember we love you. We live in the land of the free because of the brave."
MOM of Lexington, NC

"Honor & Respect to PFC Stephen Snowberger III for your service and sacrifice.
Condolences & Comfort to his family, friends, & all who are grieving his passing.
Thanks & Support to those responsible for this website."
Rev. Selena Fox, Senior Minister of Circle Sanctuary, Barneveld, Wisconsin

"I wrote this the morning of his remembrance service here in Baghdad. I went to honor the little brother I never had. Snow was always there, always smiling no matter what. There to help with anything and everything even if you didn't need the help. I will carry a piece of him with me the rest of my days, his friendship and his honor strengthen me and I feel a better man for knowing him.

In remembrance

Low, she has come to us again
Taking him, who she has laid claim to.
Young, strong of heart, honest and loyal.
My friend and brother in arms.

His time here is finished
His spirit and courage flow around us.
He is now forever apart of us and we of him
Tonight he feasts in the Hall of Warriors.

We will see him again
When it is my time, he will come to greet me at the gates.
We will have drink and laugh,
Side by side once more.

His loss was great to us, let us honor him by never forgetting his life and the time he spent with us."
SSG Twombly, Frederick of Baghdad, Iraq

"To Amanda Hardy of Hosston, LA USA,

Sweetheart, if you see this message; please feel free to write to me at t_iahu@yahoo.com. I help to mentor the Open Circle group Stephen belonged to in Baghdad before he got killed.

Your pain has touched me deeply, and I will do what I can to help you through this. I have contact with some of the soldiers that Stephen served with in Iraq; and perhaps we can do something to help you find peace.

I'm holding you closely in my heart and prayers..."
Rev. Kay Ahl of Napa, CA, USA

"Thank you for what you have done for our country. You have a brave and honorable soul that will never be forgotten. Mahalo and aloha my friend!"
Anonymous of Santa Cruz, CA

"Dearest Family and Friends of our Fallen Hero PFC Stephen P. Snowberger III,

I am the stateside webmistress and a mentor for the Victory Base Open Circle group to which Stephen belonged while he was deployed in Baghdad. Stephen is the first among our membership to die in the line of duty over there, and we will all miss him terribly. But we also know that our own sense of loss could never compare to what you, his family, his parents, and life long friends, must be experiencing. I wish so much I could be there in person to help you through this time of grief. To just hold you through the hurt. Your son will always be loved and remembered as a true hero.

Below I am adding the "Keepers of the Fire" memorial poem I wrote last year for Our Fallen Heroes of OIF and OEF. If it serves as any comfort for all who mourn the loss of Stephen, please feel free to pass it on to anyone else who might also feel comforted by it in their own loss of a loved one who has died serving our country.

With much love and respect, Rev. Kay Ahl

Keepers of The fire

In dawn of each new day, we will turn to the East,
and see your shining faces in the radiant light of the rising Sun,
And we shall know that you have joined as One,
with the Creative Power of the Universe.

In the bright day of noon, we will turn to the South,
And feel the warmth of your courageous, honorable spirits in our hearts,
and we shall know the full living expression,
Of your souls on Earth and your spirits in the hereafter.

In the glorious canvas of sunset, we will turn to the West,
and witness your signatures on the day as you walk with honored ancestors,
And we shall know both the wisdom of your lives,
and the admonishment of your deaths - to create a World of Peace.

In the deep of the night, we will turn to the North,
and witness in the stars that you are given a place of rememberance,
And we shall ever know you in our dreams,
as alive and fulfilling your own dreams beyond your alloted years.

In the deepest center of our souls, we will feel your constant presence,
and find ourselves humbled by the true essence of your spirits,
And we shall pray that like you, we will be Keepers of The Fire,
Each in our own way, will live and love with honor and with courage.

And as the Family Anchors of this Earthly Home Front,
We know there isn't any distance between loving hearts,
And we make This Solemn Promise in the Memory of Your Lives,
To Keep the Hearthfires Burning for Our Troops still serving,
Until They All Come Home!

With Love, Gratitude, and Respect for Our Fallen Heroes and Their Loved Ones,

Kay J. Ahl
A Proud Army Mother and Friend
Keeping The Hearthfires Burning For Our Troops!
Until They All Come Home!
© 2005, Kay J. Ahl"
Rev. Kay Ahl of Napa, CA, USA

"i can't explain the pain i felt when i lost stephen. he was the one boyfriend that never went away. the one man i never wanted to forget. now that he is gone i'll love him until my heart caves and i weather away. i know my body won't last forever but i can try my damnedest to keep him alive. before he died i told him i loved him and that i wanted to be with him, but he told me that he didn't want to hurt me if anything should happen. i talked to him the friday before he died, and i'm kicking myself because it was cut short. stephen wanted me to write him.... he said he wanted to wait for it to come. we said later and hung up. i didn't tell him i love you. I sent him a letter but it was sent back because of postage.... he never got my letter he longed for. i'm still hurt by that. i keep that letter and all the letters he ever sent to me in a box. i read them every now and again. i miss him. i love him."
Amanda Hardy of Hosston, LA USA

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

"I can't believe it, Snow. You weren't even supposed to come over here. But I guess you came after your 18th. I enjoyed you hanging it my room, even if you bugged us sometimes. I even left you my bike for the year. I won't ever forget you. Among the 2,500 of us killed, one now has a face and a name I know too well.

To Snow's family: I am truly sorry for your loss. Your son was a very special young man, and we loved his company the few months we knew him. Nothing I can say will make it easier: I am in tears and I only knew him for a few months before we deployed. Time will ease your pain some, and I just pray that the Lord will be close to you."
SPC Hekel of Baghdad

"To the cousin I never met.
Thank you for your sacrifice. I offer my condolences to your family and pray that God welcomes you to his kingdom where we will meet for the first time one day."
Eric Snowberger of Augusta, GA

"Thank you Stephen Snowberger III, 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 Pfc. Stephen Snowberger III:
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 Stephen 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 Pfc. Stephen Snowberger III:
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 Stephen, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia