Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"RIP brother HERO, always in my memories, See you one day!"
SFC Arroyo of Fort Sill ,Ok

"There hasn't been a year that I have not forgotten you. Every Jan 24th, I always have a full day of remembering everything we've done when we hung out together with Tim. I remember meeting Deida and Gabriel for the first time and I knew right there and then that you were and are still a man's man and everything I would aspire to be. I never said this to you physically, but spiritually, I looked up to you. I love and miss you always. You will always be my blood brother. And in time I know we'll see each other again. To Deida and rest of the family, I send my heartfelt condolences. I know it's been over 7 years now, but I'm strong enough now to finally leave this message to you. Love you man."
Luis Ortiz former Spc. for Cco 1/9 Cav. 1st Cav Div. Ft. Hood of Casselberry, FL

"Bill,

You were a good man and a great friend. I still remember those times we would sit outside by our makeshift volleyball court and talk about us getting home. Thank you for everything Bill, YOU will never be forgotten."
Jason Davies 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 the hero’s Mother, Father and/or spouse. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,800 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!
This is a gift! We have some wonderful sponsors who help with the costs, and only want you know that we care.
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"
Project Compassion of Manti, Utah USA

"January 18, 2009
To the family of Spc. William R. Sturges, Jr.:
William 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

"Hey Sturges, This is SSG Fernandez, Just want you to know that not a day goes by where I do not think of you. Carry on soldier, remember that you are and always will be a "Crazyhorse".
I think of you as a model of troops who can do great things with the will you posses. Always thinking of you man, I'll see you later and remeber I love you brother. You are an inpiration to me and it was a pleasure to call you my troop!"
SSG Rene Fernandez of Texas

"Thank you for your service and our freedom. Your sacrifice will always be remembered. We met your relative, another soldier, last night at a car show and he saw our first cav logo on our car. I served as a rifleman in C Co 1-12 First Cav Div in 1968. We talked about you. May you know eternal peace and rest well. First Team!"
Alan & LaVerna of Valparaiso, Indiana

"HEY STURG, I HAVE ALOT OF FOND MEMORIES OF YOU WHEN YOU WERE IN A1/112 IT WAS A SAD DAY WHEN WE LOST YOU REST IN PEACE BROTHER. I'M KEEPING YOUR OLD MAN BUSY FOR YA"
JAKE BREWER/OIFIII of KITTANNING PENNSYLVANIA

"Hey PAPA it's me Benson man I just wana let you know that there isn't a single day that goes by that I don't wish I had been in that gunners hatch instead of you brother, you had a family to come home to I had no one, I know when we was getting ready to head back to the FOB I told you I'd see you when we get back in, I guess god had different plans BUT that just means we will have to wait a little longer so you can get me for what i said HAHA well papa I miss you but not really that music you always played when i was trying to sleep HA well papa I'll see you agin one way or another. ALWAYS your "SON" Benson




TO BILLs family who I never got to meet I'am Brad Benson I was in 1/9 with Bill I sleapt only 3ft from him the whole time we were in Iraq I always made fun of him cause I thought he was so old because i was only 19 at the time SO i called him PAPA and him thinking i was to young called me SON. I just wanted to let yall know that he talked about yall constentley, his family never left his thoughts, his 2 sons Ethen and Gabereal,boys your father called you his LITTLE HELLYOUNS he was the greatest person and soldier i have ever known, To Bills wife, you were ALWAYS on his mind and he was always talking about trying to come see you at ANACONDA for his mid-tour leave you'r husband was THE KINDEST PERSON i have EVER meet and I still tear up to this day thinking of the loss and suffering yall have had to endure but I want yall to know that he loved you all with every fiber in his being if yall EVER need anything or have any qustions don't be afraid to call me(918)839-3192"
SPC Brad Benson of Poteau, Oklahoma

"To the family of:William R. Sturges,Jr. 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"

"The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."""
HEADHUNTERS of FORT HOOD, TX

"Happy veterans day!!"
Ruiz of Killeen, TX

"William's name is on my bracelet which I received today. I will wear it with respect and pride. My heartfelt condolences and prayers go to his family. God bless."
Carol of Pennsylvania

"I received my hero bracelet today. William's name is on one of them. I will wear it with pride. God bless your family. William, you will never be forgotten."
Lisa of Atlanta, GA USA

"Sturges, thanks for all the memories. You are a great guy. I sad that we all couldn't make it back together. But to me we are back in my heart. Thanks bro"
Andres Ruiz of Killeen

"I am sorry for your loss. I continue to think of your family on a daily basis. God Bless your families. Stephanie I will always hold a special spot for you in my heart-two women who loss the love of their lives."
Misty Rosenberg of Killeen, Texas

"We are so sorry for your loss. We lost Army Spc.Joshua Justice Henry on 9-20-04. This was the hardest day of our lives. We honor these guys as our Heroes and hope no one else has to go through with what we are all dealing with. Rest in peace William, and thank you for serving your country to the fullest"
Henry family of Vandergrift , PA

"To the Sturges Family,

My thoughts and prayers are with you, and always will be. I have few memories of Bill, Jr. from our days in A Co. 1/112th, but I do remember that he was fun, just like his father. Many of my prayers this past year have been for him, for you. Please remember that many people keep you all in there prayers.

With Love,"
Jason Tarr of Ft. Belvoir, VA

"Thank you for my freedom. I consider you my brother because I served in Bco 1/9 with Randy Rosenberg and went to basic with him. A True American Hero."
Dusty Thomason of Oneonta, AL

"Sturges you will never know how much Jason and I love you and worry about your family. You gave so much of yourself so that others would be happy. You were a great friend to us and I wish that I had the opportunity to know your wife the way I knew you. I pray for your wife and children on a daily basis and hold them close in my thoughts. I hope that if she ever needs anything, she knows she can lean on me. Thanks for everything you did for the Chappell family."
Stephanie Chappell In Memory of Spc. Chappell 01-01-1982 to 01-24-2004 of Fort Worth, Tx USA

"Specialist Sturges, goodbye soldier and thank you. You are my hero."
Bill of Houston, Texas

"To the family and friends of William R. Sturges,Jr.: We share your grief. Our nephew Randy fell with your William. There are few comforts to be taken from this tragedy, but I keep going back to one. The comfort I find is that our Randy did not leave this world alone, he was with people he cared for and respected."
Uncle Mike of Laconia, NH

"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, William, will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you. Pat & Sandi B from Montana "

"May you find comfort in knowing how many people share your sadness and loss. Thanks William for fighting for our freedom. You are a TRUE HERO! Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. We Will NEVER FORGET!"
The Grogan Family (USMC) of Lakeland, TN

"Spc. Sturges:
Thank your for giving yourself so that those of us at home can live freely. There are not enough 'thank yous' for a gift such as this. Rest in peace soldier"
Dan and Meg Manninen of San Antonio, Texas

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