Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Chief, You are not forgotten. Miss running and conversing with you daily."
Kevin Holmes, SFC (Ret) of Friday Harbor

"CW5 Swartworth,
Maam, I would just like to say thank you to you and the other soldiers who were on that helicopter with you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy."
Mike Casey of El Paso, Texas

"RIP Warrior. You are missed every day on this earth, but God has you with him now. HOOAH, and RIP."
SGM John E. Davis of ARLINGTON, VA

"Thank God for all the Heros like Sharon.There is a song that was just written and recorded in Nashville honoring the women who serve.go to proudandbrave.com for more info"
Donna Smith of Millington Michigan

"Never gt to meet you Sharon.....but i met your dad and my father thinks highly of him.I f you were anything like him,you must of been great!!!maybe we'll meet one day!!randy"
brandon danser of houston pa

"To the Swartworth Family,
Eight years to the day from when Sharon was killed in combat, but she is not forgotten and her impact on the JAG Corps is still going strong. Our thoughts are with you today, as they are often throughout the year."
Alan and Holly of Springfield, Virginia

"I knew Sharon from the US Army JAG School from 2001 until her death. We had an occassion to work together briefly there when a message came in. Sharon was a sweet person. She was also a consumate professional. It was an honor to have worked with her and to have known her. May God bless you, her family and close friends who loved her!"
Wayne Eccles of Lawrenceburg, KY

""To the family of Sharon T Swartworth ,I am so sorry for the loss of your love one.She died a hero.May you know the peace and understanding that only comes from God. Hopefully we will all meet in Heaven one day where we will rest in the arms of Jesus. If you need someone to pray with you or talk to please call or write my pastor at Gateway Community Church,Rev John B Pearrell 11677 Brown Bridge Rd. Covington Ga. 30016 phone 770-787-1015""

"May God please bless and keep you and your family."
Charles Bucknor of Alexandria, Virginia

"She was first class!! I had the opportunity to meet this lady at the WO Basic course in Virginia. She served the JAG CORP with distinction."
George of Alabama

"November 7, 2008
To the family of CW5 Sharon T. Swartworth:
Sharon 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

"August 26, 2006
VIRGINIA MEMORIAL QUILT PROJECT
The Friendship Circle Chapter of the Richmond Quilters’ Guild has begun a new project. Our goal is to make a memorial quilt for the closest relative of each soldier that gave his or her life from the State of Virginia in Operation Iraqi Freedom. We are inviting the other six (6) chapters of the Richmond Quilters’ Guild to join Friendship Circle in this Project. The entire Richmond Quilters’ Guild represents approximately 300 individuals. Check our website richmondquiltguild.com and select Virginia Memorial Quilt Project for further details and updates.
We are committed to provide a memorial quilt to each family who sustained the loss of a family member in this military conflict. We are asking family and friends of a fallen member of the armed services from Virginia to contact either Debbie Elam at debelam1@aol.com or Mary Biggs mary_biggs@verizon.net to give us information so we may write a letter to the immediate family asking if they would accept a quilt from the Virginia Memorial Quilt Project. We are committed to treat this information with the utmost confidentiality.
PLEASE help us reach out to the families from Virginia who has lost a member of their family in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Debbie Elam ~ 800 Hallsboro Road ~ Midlothian, VA 23112
debelam1@aol.com
(804) 794-6364"
Debbie Elam of Richmond, VA

"Sharon was a great friend. I will never forget all the good times we shared growing up in R. I."
Jean (Fontes) Clemente of Warwick, RI USA

"I worked with Sharon at the U.S. Army Legal Services Agency in the early 1990's. The one thing I remember about her most was that she was so vibrant. She was teeny, just over 5 feet, but packed to bursting with personality and warmth. She was always smiling, always beautiful. I really admired her. Seeing how she carried herself and how much she loved the Army, I seriously considered joining the Army at that point. Other things got in the way, though.

I'm so sorry Sharon is no longer in this world to show us all how to live life to the fullest. She died doing what she loved and that should be some consolation to her loved ones."
Christa (Malik) Wilkin of Alexandria, VA

"I have Sharon's hero bracelet. I got it in the mail today and I doubt it will ever leave my wrist. She will not be forgotten. I have the greatest respect for her and will be forever in debt to her sacrifice for me and for this country...... Her family and friends will be in my prayers always"
corrina of austin tx

"I have to paint a portrait of a fallen hero and I chose this person to paint, in my art class. I really don't know this person but thank you for defending our country!"
Katie of Goochland, Va

"Sharon,
Thank you for all that you have enabled in this war. YOu have touched so many people in so many ways. it is inspiring. I will help keep the flame you left behind lit. I plan on going into the military. I will help keep all of the efforts given by so many in memory. Thank you again. May you rest in peace."
Amanda of Broomfield, CO/USA

"I met Sharon in 1983 when she was a SFC instructor in the 1st Army 2 week Legal Clerk course at Ft Meade, MD. I was so impressed with her knowledge and professionalism, and her cheerfulness in being a soldier. I kept memories of her for years because she was such an outstanding role model. My husband attended the CW5 course with her many years later at Ft Rucker, AL, and I got to see her upon graduation. I was so proud to see a fellow female rise through the ranks, especially one as deserving as Sharon. I was extremely sorry to hear of her loss. The Army has truly lost a great soldier, and I know her family has lost a wonderful wife and mother."
Laurie Hill of Jackson, MS

"To Sharon's Family and Friends,
Please forgive me for the untimely ness of this note as only yesterday learned of Sharon's premature, and unfortunate death.
I only knew Sharon for a brief time while we were both stationed at Fort Meade, MD. At the time I knew her she was just applying for Warrant Officer.
We were both "Master Fitness Trainers” at Fort Meade. She genuinely cared about people and was a good friend. Through the years my thoughts often have drifted to memories of her.
I would like to say to her, Thank you for being a friend, and to her family, Thank you for helping to mold her into the great person she became. I would like to leave this poem in fond memory of her and all that she did for humanity. (Please forgive the generic use of the male pronouns, as that is the way it was written.) Again thank you.

THE MEASURE OF A MAN

Not - How did he die? But - How did he live?
Not - What did he gain? But - What did he give?

These are the things that measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.

Not - What was his station? But - had he a heart?
And - How did he play his God-given part?

Was he ever ready with a word of good cheer?
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?

Not - What was his church? Not - What was his creed?
But - Had he befriended those really in need?

Not - What did the sketch in the newspaper say?
But - How many were sorry when he passed away?

These are the things that measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.

Anonymous"
Leroy I Barker Sr., Ph.D., US Army Retired of Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

"Sharon,
You were a good friend, and a truly professional soldier and officer.
I am proud to have worked with you, and feel strongly that all our lives are richer for having known you.
I carry the leather briefcase you (and the other Pentagon warrants) got me for my retirement with warmth and pride.

I'll miss you, girly."
Sparky of Harvest, Alabama/USA

"May the Lord bless and comfort your family, especially her son. I saw a story about her on the CBS news. It touched my heart. I pray the Lord's comfort for you."
grace of atlanta, georgia

"I served with her at FT Mc Coy. Didn't know her well but she was a model soldier."
Joe Lojek of Richmond, VA

"Warrant Officer Swartworth, goodbye soldier and thank you. You are my hero."
Bill of Houston, Texas

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

"You give loss and pain a face and a name, but you live on brightly in the hearts of those who knew you."
Keith Gunthardt of Zurich, Switzerland

"I was saddened by the loss of sharon.
she will always be in my prayers."
john campos of La Junta, Colorado

"Although I only knew Sharon for a short while, she and everyone else at the Judge Advocate General's Office made me feel as though I were a part of the army even though I was a civilian. She will be greatly missed."
Wilson Parsons of Hamilton, Ohio

"Sharon was a shining star in the Warrant Officer Corps. No one soldier contributed more to the perception and value of a modern day Warrant Officer than Sharon. The impact of her loss has yet to be felt and has left an empty place in the hearts of all who knew her. God Bless you Sharon and your family."
COL Rich Enderle of Ft Rucker, Alabama

"Army CW5 Sharon T. Swartworth will not be forgotten. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you in your sorrow. May God's love and peace be with you."
Pat and Sandi B of Montana

"Thank you Sharon Swartworth, 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

"Sharon:
You were a beautiful person. I pray for your family as we all mourn your death. May the Lord comfort all of Sharon's family and friends"
donna gilmore of stafford, virginia

"To all family and friends of this soldier, her service was the highest calling. As the parent of a son in the military who could not be with us this Christmas, please know I am thinking of you in your loss during this season. May the God of peace bring you peace."
Steve Quanrud of Owego, NY/USA

"I am a marine and would like to give my deepest appreciation and condolences for Sharon and all the other soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country"
dave of san diego, ca

"I am so very sorry for the loss of your loved one. To the family of this soldier, you are in my prayers."
Beverly Arnold of Cynthiana,KY

"To the family and friends of CW5 Sharon Swartworth:
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 Sharon for the sacrifice she has made to make a better life for the rest of us."
The Ford Family of Wells, Nevada

"To the family and friends of CW5 Sharon Swartworth:
I am saddened by the loss of your loved one. She 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 Sharon, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia