Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Gone but Never Forgotten. RIP SGT. Trotter"
mike of topeka kansas

"Lord Jesus I ask you to give Byron a hug for me. I ask Lord that you would have Jesus intercede for Family Who no longer believe in God because Byron died and other hardships we have endured. I thank you that I had Byron as a brother. He was and remains to be one of the best friends I ever had. If not the best. He accepted me and did not reject me. Loved me and thought I was funny, smart and beautiful. Exactly the kind of brother a girl needs. He protected me from bullies, took my side in fights and kept boys away from me. He drove me to work and even worked as a lifeguard with me in high-school. He was a wonderful, sweet, caring, strong intelligent young man and the enemy took his life. The enemy has done a lot to our family God, but I ask that you keep Jesus the center. I ask for the Jesus Center at the Lake-house to bring reconciliation to our family. That we would remember how Byron. Sgt John Byron Trotter loved the Lakehouse so much. He loved the lake and running and the deer. He loved the hills. One time at around 16 he saved us all from a rattle snake, and Byron literally crushed its head with a shovel..I was so afraid. I ask you Lord to do that now. Crush the enemies head with a shovel. Not only was Byron heroic He was and now is, like and Angel. He had blonde hair growing up. With a beautiful smile and laugh and beautiful baby blue eyes. He loved to play and dance and sing. He loved the Lakehouse and the treehouse there. So many memories at that cliff. One time he got stung by a bunch of wasps and I was so so upset. But he even then he was a man of character and dignity even as a teenager. Mom would make him burn the trash or fight the wasp nests. That’s where the seeds of heroism were born, camping, fishing, hunting but most of all you Lord. And the Eagles that flew above the lake always represented the freedom that was and still is at stake in our country. Please dear Jesus...be the center of our lives again. Thank you Jesus. You are our refuge and strong tower. Your are the cleft of the rock. Though we fight battles we know death loses its sting. You are the friend that sticks closer than a brother God. And I was blessed to have a brother who was and still is my friend. He was the cream of the crop God, and he will always remain a treasure in my heart. Thank you for Byron God. I will always remember him and hold him dear to my heart more than I can express in words. Words cannot do a man’s life justice, only God can bring justice for a man’s life. Or a child. Remember us God. Remember our family. And how my father has honored you. Do not forget the prayers of my mother, or my grandmothers, I know you are faithful God. And I believe you are real. And you are good."
Frances Trotter of Bronx, New York

"Gone but not Forgotten. R.I.P. Sgt. Trotter."
Mike of Topeka, Kansas

"I still miss you, John
Saw eagle yesterday - always reminds me of you!"
Dad of Eagle River, Ak

"Gone but Never Forgotten. RIP Sgt.Trotter."
Michael Mcgraw of Rossville, Kansas

"The CT Fallen Heroes Foundation will be personally remembering John at our 16th Annual Fallen Heroes Tribute, Sept. 26th 2020 at Holiday Hill in Prospect, CT.....please e-mail me for more information. Mike.S.Mastroni@lmco.com"
Mike of Stratford, CT

"Gone but never forgotten, Sgt. Trotter"
Michael Mcgraw of topeka, kansas

"Last year I was so happy to have spent the weekend with your family and our Warrior brothers remembering the good times we had. This year, David Martin and I came by to visit. We still miss you brother! We won't forget."
José Aleman of Brooklyn NY

"I had the privilege of holding a memorial flag for Sgt. Trotter yesterday in the WearBlue Mile at the Marine Corps Marathon. I just wanted his family and friends to know that now he will be personally remembered by a stranger who honors his service and sacrifice. I hope that brings a small measure of comfort."
Martha Gillis of Middletown, Virginia

"You will be missed, I am so proud of you."
Spc Jason Gibbs of Brandywine MD

"Gone but Not Forgotten, RIP Sgt. trotter."
michael mcgraw of rossville kansas

"This is Susan Trotter, Sgt. Trotter's sister. We will be having a 10 year anniversary memorial service on November 8, 2014 for Sgt. Trotter. It will be held on November 8, 2014 at Arlington National Cemetery. Any of his friends or fellow service members who would like more information about attending the service, please contact me via email: strotter241@gmail.com.
Thank you."
Susan of Austin, Texas

"Drinking Black and Tans and listening to Dropkick Murphy's and remembering Sgt. Trotter"
Michael Mcgraw of Rossville Kansas

"Gone but Never Forgotten, Sgt. Trotter"
michael Mcgraw of Rossville Kansas

"Sgt T you'll never be forgotten. I miss hanging out in the Barricks just before I left for 3rd ID and you guys to Iraq. It brings tears to my eyes to see the messages from all the rest of the guys like Lizard's (you know who Liz). Chad Snowden hasn't forgotten either even with his TBI. God Bless you and the rest of you A Co guys."
SSG Jeffrey Monk of Crestview FL

"Im gonna kinda go out on a limb here and leave my second email address michaelmcgraw27@yahoo.com, Mr.Trotter(Clayton) or any of Johns family i have 1 dog tag that i took off John that day in Ramadi I carried it on every mission after that to help keep me safe, and I wanted to give it to you the day we met in Colorado Springs at Ihop, but i didnt have the courage I am sorry for that. Please email me and I would be more than happy to mail it to you if you like. GOD BLESS hope to hear from you or any of my brothers that come here to remember John. ill keep checking no matter how long its been since i posted this."
Michael Mcgraw of Topeka, Kansas

"Sgt. Trotter NEVER FORGOTTEN, a true hero and one hell of a guy. My love to all of Johns family.11/9/2012"
Michael Mcgraw of Topeka,Kansas

"Thank you all for remembering John Byron Trotter! He was my second son, one of my warrior sons. His brother Fred is a Marine. On this Father's Day I want you all to know, all
of you who defend this country at the risk of your own lives, men and women that you are all my warriors! My warrior children, I have adopted you in my heart and you are in my prayers in Jesus name! God bless you! You are loved! Come home safe!"
Richard Clayton Trotter - John's Dad of Anchorage, Alaska

"to a great teamleader and a great man seven years later sgt Trotter will never be forgotten"
michael mcgraw of topeka ks us

"To the family of:John B.Trotter
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""

"I Was not a member of Sgt. Trotter's team or even squad, But I met him when he came to the platoon. He seemed a bit out of the loop at first probably because of his lapse in time served, But he snapped out of that real fast and did a great job after a little refreshment. When he came to us he was a Spc. and promoted to Sgt. pretty quick because he was so on top of his game. I looked up to him alot in the year or so that I knew him and continue to look up to him in his sacrifice. There isn't a fall season that I don't think about that man at least once and I have shed many a tear over losing him. No we were not very close and no we did not spend a whole lot of time together like he did with aleman or dodd, but Sgt. John B. Trotter and I had a few good times together and I'll always remember those and all of the things he taught me as a PVT. Your still thought of by even me."
SGT. Adam J Nelson of Rockford, Il.

"I served with Sgt. Trotter in Aco.1-503rd . I was there on that day in Nov, I along with another gun truck provided covering fire so we could get to him and the others. That day will always be remembered and Sgt. Trotter will never be forgotten. 1st ROCK"
Spc Marroquin, Jason of Plainview, Tx

"my name is joe i live in fl. i recently went on a family trip to coco beach. while there i found a black bracelet with sgt. john b trotters name on it if any one of johns family would like to get it back you can email me at bunchjoey@yahoo.com and leave a number or something so that i can reach you in order to send it to you"
joe of florida

"Five years later, I still remember."
SFC Patrick Jones of Phoenix, AZ

"Was in the same battalion. C co. 1-503rd (March or Die). I will never forget the fallen comrades I served with in Ramadi. God Bless the family of John B. Trotter."
Isaac Villarreal of Elk City, OK

"Thank you SGT. John Byron Trotter for giving your life to protect us! I lost my Uncle, Sgt. George Irvin Trotter in World War II. He was your age Sgt. John Trotter, it was in 1944 and I am still feeling the ripples of his loss in 2009. I send my heart felt prayers and thoughts to your family, friends, and fellow soldiers that will miss you for the rest of their lives. God bless you SGT. Trotter for your service and giving your precious life in service to our country."
Jeanie Trotter-Wright of Lake Forest, California

"How many years has it been? It seems as if it was only yesterday we served together, first in the mountains of Korea, and later in the deserts of Iraq. I thank you for teaching me so much, although many of the most important lessons I learned came after your death. Your sacrifice affected me dramatically, and changed my life forever. I was humbled that day on Nov. 9th. Humbled enough to have my eyes opened that otherwise would have remained shut. The very first thing I did after accepting the fact that you had passed from this harsh world and entered a far greater place was pray for your family. Even though I can't remember the last time I prayed before that day, that day I found myself on both my knees praying for your family (who I didn't even know) that they may be comforted from their great loss. I prayed that they would be sheltered from sorrow, and pain. After that I prayed for myself. I asked God to keep me safe and bring me out of Iraq alive, and if He did I would give him my life forever. God kept His part of the bargain, and I kept mine. Jesus Christ is now my Lord and Savior. On Nov. 9th 2004 I was reborn, although I didn't know it till many months later. No matter how much I tried I wasn't able to save you on Nov. 9th, but through you, I was saved. Your death, gave me life. You were, and are forever much loved John. As I read all the wonderful messages people left here I realized it. I notice that many of the names on here I recognized. The bravest men we served with have sent a message in your honor such as, Sgt. Schiro, Sgt. Martin, Sgt. Dodd, Sgt. Camarillo, and SSGT. Johnston. These are some of the men who I looked up to, and learned a great deal from. These same men, great men look up to you now, and thank you. I pray God keeps your family safe, and continues to bless them. I love you my "Warrior Brother." I can never forget you. I long for the day we meet again in our Heavenly Fathers Kingdom. That day when "...there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain..." (Revelation 21:4). Until then, I'll stay on the long, rough path, that leads me to you. God bless. jose.e.aleman@gmail.com"
Jose Aleman (Spc. Aleman, "Warrior Son"). Weapon Squad, 3rd Platoon, Able Company, 1-503rd Inf. (Asslt) of Brooklyn , NY.

"To all our friends, particularly the service men and women who have left messages about Byron.. I just came across this website...

Thank you for keeping Byron's memory alive..

I call him Byron, his name is Sgt. John Byron Trotter. He is my second son. My warrior son, and he is not dead but he lives, because Christ lives. As King David said of one of his sons "He cannot come to me but I can go to him." For "God is not the God of the dead, but the living" Jesus Christ

Thank you for your continued service for liberty and justice in the World..

To all of "First Rock" I call all of you my sons now and you all "warrior sons" I pray for you all regularly and may God grant you protection and VICTORY!!

Richard Clayton Trotter, Father of John Byron Trotter and Very Pleased with him. Claytontrotter@hotmail.com"
Clayton Trotter of San Antonio

"November 23, 2008
To the family of Sgt. John B. Trotter:
John 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 had the great honor to serve beside Sgt Trotter in Korea and Iraq. He still is, and forever will be, sorely missed."
David "Scotty" Martin of Arlington, VA

"I was with Aco 1/503 ABN Inf 101st ABN Div starting in 1972. I feel as if I lost a brother, May God bless him and his loved ones"
Gregory of Orlando, FL

"I served with SGT Trotter while in the OLD Guard as well as in Korea and Iraq. Few soldiers demanded the respect and the received it like Trotter. God Bless him and his family for there is nothing but prayer that can help fill the gap that has been left when he departed us."
SSG T.J. Lorenz of Arlington VA

"SGT Trotter was a great man and will never be forgotten."
SSG Joshua Johnston of Las Vegas, NV

"To Clayton and the Trotter Family,
I still to this day remember having the privilege to sing at John Byron's memorial and what an honor to be your friends. Before the memorial, I remember looking at my Kuwait Liberation Medal that I received during Desert Storm and how Byron was finishing something that I was privileged to assist with. Te faces of the Kuwaiti people as the returned to there land that was free will always be a memories that I will never forget. Freedom is not free for there is not greater love than a man lay down his life for a friend. I pray that we as a country do not forget that freedom has a price and we can sleep at night because of young men like you who are have given there life to protect ours."
Michael Doddridge of Sulphur Springs, Texas

"2 years later...we don't ever forget!
1st Rock!"
SSG Jones Dco 1-503rd INF of Phoenix, AZ

"I served with SGT John B Trotter in korea and Iraq. I was on the ground when his platoon was attacked. My platoon and I listened as rounds whizzed over head, smacking into the bricks nearby. I was proud to serve with John, though I may not have known him as well as I wanted to. In memory of him I have worn a bracelet with his name and rank on it since I began my second tour here in iraq. I am sorry for your loss and wish you, the family, my deepest regards."
SGT Lucas E LIsitza of A Co. 2/502 INF, 101 ABN Div. Baghdad, Iraq

"I served in Dco 1-503rd in Ramadi at the same time as Sgt Trotter, and was involved in the same mission with Aco the day he was killed. As a matter of fact, we were only a few blocks away and heard the gunfire.
That was a long day, and one of many that I'll never forget. I will also never forget him or the 2 dozen other guys we lost during our year in Iraq.
They will be with me always.
First Rock!"
SSG Patrick Jones of Phoenix, AZ

"To the Family and Friends of Sgt. John B. Trotter,

I served in Aco 1/503 from May 1989 - May 1990 stationed at Camp Hovey, R.O.K. I also fought in Iraq during Desert Storm. It is these similarities with Sgt John B. Trotter that I am compelled to write this message. Hold your head up high, for John was a soldier and a hero, and we should be proud.
Although we never met, we share a common bond, and I will forever consider Sgt. Trotter my Brother-in-Arms.
First Rock!"
William R Maglio Jr of Lutz, Florida USA

"To the Family & Friends of Sgt John Trotter,

My name is Suzanne and I am a college student at St. Michael's College in VT. Today in memory of all the fallen soldiers there were tags with the name of a soldier and their picture that we could pick up and wear for the day. I just wanted to let you know that I am proud to wear the nametag with John B. Trotter's name and pciture. I hope that God's peace is around you and I wish you well. I'm sure John was a great man, and he is a hero. God Bless!"
Suzanne of Colchester, Vermont

"To the FAMILY and Friends of Byron Trotter:
I went to High School with Byron, he took me along with four of our friends to our Junior Prom, he tutored me through English, and was one of my best friends. Being from the small town of Blanco, TX, word travels fast. When I heard he went into the Army, I was so proud of him, as I am sure you all were. Byron was, is and always will be a great inspiration to me. He is truly missed.
Sincerely,"
SRA Stephanie (BROWN) Ruepp, USAF of Luke Air Force Base, Phoenix, AZ

"Soldier Trotter (and fellow Texan),

I salute you!

forever indebted to you,"
Angela of Fort Worth, Texas

"to the family and friends of SGT John B. Trotter... SGT Trotter was my roommate before we left Korea and was one a my good friends. SGT Trotter was a great NCO and always lead from the front. May he watch us from above and know that we will fight on and remember him forever."
SGT Camarillo, Joseph of A Co. 1-503/ 3Plt, 2 Sqd. Ar Ramadi, Iraq

"I just found out from a friend. John was one of the best soldiers that I ever had the chance to serve with. I miss all the guys at the 503rd. I wish that I had stayed and gone with you all. You will be missed Trotter."
Sgt Jared Schiro of Hawaii

"I don’t believe that we understand all that you gave, or how your sacrifice will affect the future for our sons or daughters. I believe you confronted the evil that has enslaved mankind throughout history, the same evil that many American soldiers have confronted in many battles.

I will teach my son and daughter of your sacrifice and your heroism.

Proud Family of Pfc. Kohler serving in Ar Ramadi, Iraq"
Anderson Family of Montana

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

"I didn't get to know you eventhough we were in The Old Guard together. Thank you for your service. I know you were a great NCO and served proudly."
Alex Cochrane of Fort Belvoir, VA

"to the family of sgt trotter, he was my best freind and i never served with i finer non commisioned officer, he was a true leader and will always be the best freind i ever had"
specialist johnie dodd of a-co 1/503 inf regt air assault

"To John's Family and Friends:

On behalf of the Blanco-Caldas family, we send our sincerest condolences. We share the same loss ... the same pain. Our prayers are with you in this most difficult time and we thank you for your soldier's bravery and sacrifice as we lose yet another of Texas sons.

Sincerely,

The Family of Capt. Ernesto M. Blanco-Caldas, 82nd Airborne
KIA Iraq 12/28/2003.
Gloria Caldas (The Big Ern's Mom) of San Antonio, TX
gloria.caldas@banksterling.com"

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

"To John's Family:
There are no words to express the sorrow we feel for your loss. May God bless you and help you through this time."
Dan and Meg Manninen of San Antonio, Texas

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