Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"Hello my name is Arron Ramos I was an E-4 in the USAF.I went to Voorhies Elementary all the way through high school with Ramon. I know im 8 years too late to honor Ramon's memory but I recently received news from an old mutual friend as I haven't really been back to California since I left for the military. I cared very much for Ramon as a friend and this is such a shock considering we joined the military roughly at the same time. My heart goes out to Ramon's family, he was a great person and brought many funny moments to my school years. Let him be honored for his bravery he showed till the very end giving the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Ill miss you Ramon, we will commemorate your memory at our high school reunion and will raise a glass to your name. Hoorah Soldier"
Arron Ramos of Las Vegas NV

"Hello my name is Arron Ramos I was an E-4 in the USAF.I went to Voorhies Elementary all the way through high school with Ramon. I know im 8 years too late to honor Ramon's memory but I recently received news from an old mutual friend as I haven't really been back to California since I left for the military. I cared very much for Ramon as a friend and this is such a shock considering we joined the military roughly at the same time. My heart goes out to Ramon's family, he was a great person and brought many funny moments to my school years. Let him be honored for his bravery he showed till the very end giving the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Ill miss you Ramon, we will commemorate your memory at our high school reunion and will raise a glass to your name. Hoorah Marine"
Arron Ramos of Las Vegas NV

"My name is Hollie Shurley, I live on Ft. Carson as a military wife. We had a memorial walk/run for all of the fallen soldiers from this post and I was honored to have your son, family member, or frind, PFC Ramon A. Villatoro Jr. as the soldier I had attached to my shirt while waking for this cause with my son and close friends. I'm sorry for your loss and thank you for the sacrifice you very unfortuntatly had to suffer, and this was quite an honor! thank you Hollie Shurley"
Hollie Shurley of Colorado Springs, CO, USA

"I never want to forget the sacrifices of so many young men and women. I am so proud it makes me cry. I understand in theory only that war is a part of human nature but so is love and caring. I wish I could take the families pain away but I can't. I am committed to loving ALL people, myself and our environment. I am committed to working on my happiness everyday because so many have died for my freedom to live my life. Thank you is not enough but it is all I have. All my love and respect. ogersteiner@yahoo.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEjz-wAQLSA&feature=PlayList&p=477CB1585D5551F3
A hundred times a day, I remind myself that my inner and outer life depends on the labors of other men, living and dead, and I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am receiving. - Albert Einstein"
Scott E. Steiner of Worthington, OH USA

"He was a student, he was a friend, and he was soooo funny!! I miss him and today I remember him on La Toussaint. May he rest in peace. Thank you for giving your life for our freedom Ramon."
Anissa Picard of St. Louis France

"”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 you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,550 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!
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"
Kenna - Project Compassion of Manti, Utah USA

"July 14, 2008
To the family of Pfc. Ramon A. Villatoro, Jr.:
Ramon 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 was one of Ramon's Recruiters; he was shipping out to Basic Training when I just arrived at the recruiting station. In fact, I put his little brother into the Army. Even though I did not know Ramon very well, I did know his brother Fernely & his sister very well. Ramon lived in times when other would say were best forgotten. At least he could say he was a true “Soldier”. Take care Violator’s, and if you need me, you know where to find me.

History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower"
SFC Rosales of Bakersfield, CA

"I'm Cristal Villatoro,I am Ramon's sister and just would like to say thank you everyone for being with my family in this time of grief.TO everyone who as lost someone just know that they are watching over us everyday.All of them are heroes and they live throguth there sons/daughters and family.May God Bless."
Cristal Villatoro of Bakersfield,CA

"para la fam villatoro nuestras mas sinceras condolencias de parte de la fam lau Estamos en el mismo dolor . nosotros perdimos a nuestras pfckarina lau en nov 02 2003 que dios los bendiga y que tengan consuelo ."
fam lau of livingston ca usa

"To the family of:Ramon A Villatoro,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"

"i wanted to say to the family villatoro that am really sorry what happen to your son but he was a great hero"
ruby gomez of bakersfield california

"Ramon-
Memorial day is coming up, and I was thinking about all of the things I remember about you. I remember you always hanging out with Cecil in junior high. I remember you playing trombone in band with me. I remember our freshman year of high school when you and Cecil came over and cleaned out our candy stash on Halloween. I remember our chats about how much we loved the 49ers, and I still remember the day we both got an award for Mr. Conser's history class in 7th grade.
I remember when we were seniors in high school. You had transferred to East High, and you told me about how you were joining the army, and about this wonderful girl you knew.
I'm so happy that I got to know you."
Sara Bodirsky of Bakersfield, CA

"Ramon It's Isabel I know that were ever you are you are happy.You were a great friend well like you know my best friend.I met you wife she was so nice just like you had told me she was.Amanda you know that me and your husben were great friend.Am sorry for what hapend to your husbum but he died serving our counrty.An so proud of him and for what he did for us.But know their is another little part of him his name is Ramon Jr. Thank you Amanda for letting me see your son,He is a hansam baby just like his daddy.Well Ramon remember that you are always going to be in my heart R.I.P Ramon Villatoro Jr WE Love you always in my prayers."
isabel Mancilla of Bakersfield California 93301

"I was there the day that V. Gave his life i stayed in my bradley feeling completely helpless. TO Mandy, Ramon was a great man who always knew how to make us laugh even when we didnt want to. And he always gave us a good haircut. Ramon your with me everyday. You and the Rest of 3-5 I miss you guys"
Pfc Marco Morales of iraq

"I really give my sympathy to the Villatoro family. Because one of them is one of my friends that I love very much. And I am so sorry to hear on what there going on. Eventhough, Ramon died nobody will ever forget him. I thank Ramon for sacrificing his life for our country. With my deepest sympathy to the Villatoro family."
Shorty of Bakersfield,CA

"To the family of Army Pfc. Ramon Villatoro Jr. You are in our thoughts and prayers. The city of Bakersfield takes care of its own."
Fred of Bakersfield, Ca, USA

"My heart felt condolences to the family and friends of Ramon. I am the Aunt of Ernest Dallas Jr (21) that also gave his life with Ramon. I know they were friends and nothing will replace your loss, but take heart that with a lot of prayers and God's grace we get through one day at a time. My prayers are with you and yours."
Cindy Cranford of Denton, Texas

"The families of Killer Troop thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless."
Killer Troop FRG, Kimberlee Cavin of Fountain, CO 80817

"I wish there was something I could say or do. Please know that all of us at Soldiers' Angels have nothing but the utmost respect, admiration and gratitude for your son and his service and sacrifice.

My heart is truly broken at this loss."
Jennifer Krzys of Browntown MI

"To the family of Ramon Villatoro, I'm very sorry for your loss. I knew Ramon very well!! I was his Drill Sergeant. I watched Ramon grow from civilian to soldier. This is truely a sad day for me because he is the first soldier I lost. He will always be remember by myself and the Cadre of D troop 5/15th Cav. May God bless you!

Ramon, I'll see you at Fiddlers Green

Scouts Out!!"
DS Tim Brown of Ft Knox, Ky

"This man is a true hero who will watch over your family forever. Thank you for raising a son of such high character. Few of us have the courage to place others above self. This soldier had that courage."
David of Bakersfield

"To the family of Ramon A. Villatoro, Jr.
My prayers and thoughts are with you. I lost my only son on June 5th 2005 in Iraq. He also was out of Fort Carson with the 3/3 ACR. SSG Justin L. Vasquez. I miss him greatly. There are no words that can help. Our sons are heroes and will be forever in our hearts. God has called them home and they will live in paradise. God bless you."
Tino J. Vasquez of Manzanola, Co./ 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. Your HERO, Ramon will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you ALWAYS. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

"The Salute


To those who have died,
And to those who have cried.
We Salute You.

To those who have lost,
Paid the ultimate cost.
We Salute You.

And to those who still serve,
The Red White and Blue.
Our grateful Nation,
Proudly Salutes You."
Tom Balstad of West Warwick RI

"The Salute


To those who have died,
And to those who have cried.
We Salute You.

To those who have lost,
Paid the ultimate cost.
We Salute You.

And to those who still serve,
The Red White and Blue.
Our grateful Nation,
Proudly Salutes You."
Tom Balstad of West Warwick RI

"We are deeply sorry for your loss. America will forever honor your Hero.
The Courage, Honor, and Valor that your Hero showed will always be remembered.
We are grateful for the sacrifice that was made and we will NEVER FORGET.
God Bless your family and please know that you are not alone.
All of our prayers are with you."
Jennifer and SSGT Larry Mays of Massillon, Ohio

"Thank you Ramon Villatoro, 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 Pfc. Ramon Villatoro, 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 Ramon 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. Ramon Villatoro, 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 Ramon, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia