Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"My husband, deceased Retired Master Sgt. wore a bracelet with his name. I would like to give it to family"
Marlene Bonwell of Lawton, Ok

"I never knew this young man except we share the same last name. God Bless Him and His Family. I grew up in Barrickville , W.Va."
Patrick R. Sutphin ( Randy ) of Harrisonburg,Va.

"It has been ten years ago today that you left us, I miss you more than words could ever say. I cannot believe it has been ten whole years. I can still feel the pain of that phone call. Dropping to my knees and praying it wasn't true. You are and always will be my hero. I wonder who you'd be today, if you'd have kids, how much you'd love all of our kids, my daughter Aidyn will be 5 in April, she knows who you are, I show her pictures. And tell her that her cousin is a hero up in heaven. I miss your words of wisdom, going to Barnes and noble, looking at comic books, and playing monopoly. The very last time I saw you, you gave me the biggest bear hug, gave me advice that I live by, and drove me home in pawpaws car... I still remember it like it was yesterday. You were so smart, and destined for greatness. I guess that great purpose was to be our guardian angel. I could wish for a better one for the next generation of our family. I will always remember you, and cherish every moment I was ever blessed with you. I miss you so much. But I know that if ever there was a way to meet your end, only a heros death would suffice. I love you, and I am so proud of you. God bless all of our fallen men and women and those who continue to serve risk their lives. Rip Pfc Ernest Harold Sutphin my hero always"
Casey Sutphin of Kernersville, Nc

"its been almost six years and my heart is still not healed but you will always be a part of me and this family so many things have changed but not my love for you you are so special to me and was from the very start i slept at the hospital while waiting for you i was 14 now im alot older and am waiting to see you again because i know i will i also know your making everyone in heaven laugh because your playing jokes on everyone i love you always your auntie PS I KNOW YOUR SMILING DOWN AT MY GRANDDAUGHTER AND YOUR HER OWN PERSONAL GUARDIAN ANGEL"
FAYE FIELDS PENNELL of GIBSONVILLE,NC

"”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 - Kenna of Manti, Utah USA

"My name is Danielle Myers, I was the 25th ID Evacuation Liaison at Landstuhl Germany. Your son changed my life. He was the first soldier I lost, and I think of him everyday. He changed me from living my life to appreciating every moment. Today I live my life for him and all the other young men and women who I could not bring home to their parents. I have a daughter who will be turning 4yrs old. Rest assured she knows your son, for he is her angel she wears around her neck. God Bless you this Memorial Day 2009."
Danielle Myers of Round Rock, TX

"this is for my nephew,pfc ernest harold sutphin,we love and miss you so much.always thinking of you,no matter what.thinking of all the good times we had growing up.all those jokes you used to pull on me too!we had lots of fun.i cherrish all those memories. love you!"
april sutphin of whitsett,n.c.27377-usa

"March 21, 2009
To the family of Pfc. Ernest Harold Sutphin:
Ernest 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 this day very well. it has been 5 years now. I still can not get over losing Ernie. I still miss him. and think of my ernie everyday. Iam still so proud of him. and now I have 2 grand children that ernie never got to know.Ernie would have loved Joey and Hailey. I show them pitures and tell them stories about uncle ernie. I miss Ernie so much.with time I have gotten better but I will never get over losing ernie. Ernie was my best friend and son.
Love You Ernie Forever MOMMA"
Jackie Sutphin Piggott of 5803 barbell circle, McLeansville, NC, 27301

"8/10/08
I am Diana Williams Co-coordinator for the Home of the Brave Quilt Project for the state of WV trying to locate Pfc. Ernest Suthin mother to present next of kin a quilt. email me @ dianawilliams@suddenlink.net"
Diana Williams of Hurricane, WV

"Not a day goes by that I don't think about the day we lost Happy, and the week following of not knowing what his situation was. Your loss affected us all and you are surely missed. Memorial day means everything. For most of us, everyday is Memorial Day. Rest in Peace Happy."
SFC Schilling of Ft. Hood, TX

"I miss Happy very much. He and I were room mates for 6 months before deploying to Iraq. He was younger than I was, but I grew up with 3 little brothers. Ernie felt like a fourth. I sang Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here" while playing guitar at his memorial in Iraq. I still have some awards that belonged to him, and I have a few pictures and videos. I'll try to give Casey a call. God bless your family. I know how much it hurt me and how much I miss him still. I volunteered to clean all of Happy's equipment after his accident. I washed his gear in a cold shower in Iraq by myself for over an hour. Once all his equipment was clean, I cried for quite some time. That was the hardest thing I did while I was in the Army. Nothing could compare. I miss you Happy!"
Joshua Gaither of Knoxville, TN

"i love u ernie i think of u everyday your still my hero your little cousin just graduated i know u would be proud of him you are his hero forever"
love aunt faye of gibsonville nc

"I did not know Sutphin all that well. The first time I met him was in Iraq. He was attached to my company as an F.O. One day I had the opportunity to talk to him as I gave him a class on the 240. He was really interested in learing about the weapon and its capabilities. I wish I could have known you better "Happy" Rest in Peace Brother."
SGT. Lewis of Oak Ridge, Tennessee

"Yeah I am the infamous heartbreaker and I live with that everyday but you know I still feel very blessed to have had the chance to say that he was once in my life. A lot of things that we went thru I, to this day laugh about. Like sneaking into his room at night and getting caught by Jackie. I miss him dearly and wish that I could take back some things but he will is and always will be my first love!!!! I miss and love you dearly Ernie!!!"
Amber of Parkersburg WV

"when we were in iraq, sutphin was attached to my squad as an F.O. i had learned that he liked movies just as much as i did and we became quick friends. in the short amount of time that i knew him, i was able to trust him just like one of my infantry bros."
SPC Bernard Villa of Oxnard, CA

"To the family of:Ernest Harold Sutphin 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"

"although my ernie has been gone for a while now. almost 3 years. it still feels like yesterday to me. ernies birthday will be next thursday dec 21. and I remember bringing him home from the hospital on christmas eve, in a christmas stocking. I still have this stocking. and then I think of how accident prone he was. and what a little dare devel he was when he was eight.I remember him with his best friend jimmy. and his first love amber. and how we cried together when she broke his heart.I remember he put mircle whip in my ice cream as a joke. he was good at playing jokes on me. ernie made me laugh. he never let the bad stuff get to him. I love and miss ernie so much. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SON ERNIE."
Jackie Piggott of McLeansville,N.C

"Ernie was a friend of mine. I went to highschool with him and he was always able to make me laugh. You are missed my friend."
Heather of Parkersburg, WV

"Ernie was my cousin and theres not a day that goes by that his memory dosent cross my mind. I miss him more than ever now. They say time heals all pain but its just made it worse knowing I'll never be able to see his happy wonderful face again."
Casey Sutphin of Greensboro,NC USA

"Rest in peace in love of his Platoon SFC McQueen, United States Army."
SFC McQueen of Al Udeid, Airbase Doha, Qatar

"I consider myself VERY blessed to have known him. I know it has been almost 2 years which I can't believe, but the pain is still very real to me. I want to let his family know that they are in my prayers and I think about about you all everyday. I love you and I left my address if you need anything!!"
Amber Wise (mihalic) of 168-3 Casa Blanca Rd Fort Hood Texas 76554

"Ernest "HAPPY" Sutphin has a place in my heart and will always be apart the the "BULLDOG" family, miss you buddy."
Rusell Brown of Schofield

"Another year has gone by, but you are not forgotten. Memorial Day 05/30/05. We think of you everytime we see a flag or hear a fallen soldier's name."
Your " Piggott " Family of Parkersburg, WV

"Ernest Harold Sutphin will always be remembered as a Hero, I wear his name proudly on my Hero bracelet."
Mary McFall of Elwood, IN

"I knew this hero back at Hamilton Junior High School in Parkersburg. I am very proud to say "I knew him when...". Ernie's family and friends are in my prayers."
Amanda Zagrodny of Charleston, SC

"My prayers are with the loved ones of Pfc. Ernest Harold Sutphin. Know that he died a hero for his country and for you and me. Mr. Sutphin is the soldier that is imprinted on the bracelet I ordered from herobracelets.org and I will wear it proudly for him. May God bless."
Bonnie Soileau of Arlington, Texas

"I am a Vietnam Vet and saw too many comrades fall. To the family, there are not enough words to console you. I am deeply sorrowed by your loss. Your son looks down upon you and smiles, and knows you love him."
Randy Sutphin of Harrisonburg, Va.

"Thank you everyone for your concern and sympathy, it is deeply appreciated by me and the rest of my family. Its going on 6 months now that our beloved Ernie Has been gone, but to me time stands still, I still feel the same that I did when I got that phone call, I will miss him so much. I can only hope that he knows how much of an impression he left on me and my cousins, we all want to be just like him, he's our heroe and that will never change. He's in our hearts forever and will never be forgotten. It truly touches my heart that so many people that did'nt even have the pleasure of knowing my cousin would care about him and our family. But trust me if you did get the honor of knowing him you would've fallen in love with him from the start, just like everyone else did. He was a truly amazing cousin, friend and over all person. He never met a stanger. I can still feel him here with me, when ever I get lonely or start to cry when a memorie of him pops in my head, I can feel him I know he's watching over us know. Thanks again so much for caring. If you ever want to pray with me or anything at all, maybe you've lost a loved one in the military also, or you have a loved one in Iraq, call me 336-987-9138
With all my love,prayers, and wishes,
C. Sutphin 14 yrs old NC"
Casey Sutphin of Greensboro,NC,USA

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

"To the family of Ernest Sutphin: I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. He is a hero, whose bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten. A salute to a fallen soldier- THANK YOU, ERNEST! May you rest peacefully in Heaven."
T. Rexroad of Moorefield, WV

"REST IN PEACE BRAVE WARRIOR
May God Bless your family and friends"
The Taylors USMC of NC

"To Ernest's Family:
There are no words that can express our deep sorrow for your loss. May God bless you and your family as Ernest watches over you all."
Dan and Meg Manninen of San Antonio, Texas

"We Will NEVER FORGET !"
Please KNOW so many people share your sadness, and we are remembering all your family and loved ones
in your loss and your deep grief. Your HERO, Ernest will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

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