Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"I think about you often. I did not know you as well as I would have liked. I will always remember the few jokes we shared and how you always had a big smile and were happy. I want your family to know that every time the national anthem plays and I salute our flag, I think of you, picture your face, and thank you for what you gave up that day on the bridge. I think about Mark too. I hope the people of Iraq really appreciate what we tried to give them. Maybe one day they will have what we have in our country. May God take care of your family and loves ones my friend."
CPT J. B. Branson of FT. Jackson, SC

"Wash
My lil brother, you took care and me when I first got to Fort Riley, and we became close friends and eventually family. My kids loved you for always putting a smile on their face, and I love you for always having my back. Last time I saw you was the going away luncheon you guys had for me, and you had the big old grin and cracking jokes as you always do. Strong as a bull, heart big as ever, and I am lucky to know you. We miss you so much, and love you eternally"
Peggy M. Jordan of New Baltimore, Michigan

"You know you will always be the man. My homie and my friend. See you when I get there."
Pierce, Anthony of Ft. Stewart, GA

"STILL the champ! Miss you man"
Brandon of San Antonio, TX

"Miss you champ"
Brian Forward of fort carson, colorado

"You were a good friend."
Robert Reidle of Lawrence, KS

"Bennie,
Thank you for your commitment and ultimate sacrifice on behalf on our country. hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"
Rebecca of San Antonio, TX

"I remebeer you as a nieghbor in the barracks. You were big and strong like an ox.RIP Bennie, see ya when i get to heaven"
Meekins of Philaderphia

""Hello First giving condolences to you and your family. My name is Patricia Roberts and I am the mother of the first soldier to die for Ga. (Spc.Jamaal Addison) Please contact me concerning a event on April 18, at Lakeside H.S. 404-509-1001"
Patricia Roberts of Lithonia, Ga"
Patricia Roberts of Lithonia, Ga

"Bennie was a great man. There weren't many days he didn't have a smile on his face. I remember him coming out with his championship belt and walking around trying to get a match. I was there the day the IED struck and took 3 good soldiers from us. I miss you bro. See you in the end."
SGT Caleb Morse of Louisiana

"December 29, 2008
To the family of Sgt. Bennie J. Washington:
Bennie 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

"To the friends and family of SGT Washington: My name is Juliana Burkley and I served with SGT Washington "Da Champ" in Korea as well as Iraq. I can't tell you how much fun we used to have especially in Korea when we used to have Sunday dinner together with the rest of the "FAM". To Nicole, I hope that time has brought you some solice and know that Bennie is still with you in spirit, eventhough he is not with you in the flesh. We Loved Him and May God be with you and the rest of the Washington Family!!!"
SGT Burkley of FT Hood, Texas

"To honor the Georgia soldiers who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families, the professional portrait artists of the Atlanta Fine Arts League are offering to paint a portrait of the individual soldier for his family. These 16 X 20” original portraits are being offered completely free of charge in recognition of the sacrifices made by these brave soldiers and in condolence for their families’ loss. Please visit our website www.atlantafineartsleague.org or email us at AtlantaFineArtsLeague@Yahoo.com for further information. –The Atlanta Fine Arts League"
Geraldine Zaki of Lawrenceville, GA

"To the family of Bennie Washington - My deepest sympathy, I know Bennie was a terrific man, he enjoyed his purpose he was serving and never let anyone tell him any different. I've never met someone that was so unselfish in my life until I met him. We had never met face to face but not only was he there for his country he was their for friends and family. He's greatly missed here and I know his is there.
Ben I know your watching over us, we miss you, not a single day goes by when I haven't thought about you. Thank you for always being there all my love"
Jeni Boyd of Ansonia, Ohio

"Bennie,
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy."
Mike Casey of El Paso, Texas

"Hello Friend,

It has been one year since your death and I have not gone one day with out having you in my thoughts. For the 7 years I have known you, we have laughed and cried together, been close and far, friends and lovers. I consider you my soulmate. I don't think soulmates have to get married or spend their whole lives together; instead I believe that soulmates help each other become the person they want to be, except the person for who they are and will love that person no matter where life takes them. You were that person for me. You only allowed a few people in your life to get to know the real you, and I thank you for allowing me to be one of those people. I miss you more than I can say and you will forever be in my heart."
Alyson Greenstein of Atlanta, GA/USA

"To the family of: Bennie J. Washington I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. He died a hero defending freedom. May you have the peace and understanding that only comes from God. Prayerfully, we will 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, Gateway Community Church, 11677 Brown Bridge Rd., Covington, GA 30016. (770)787-1015. Your friend in Jesus Christ,"
Polly Ballew of Covington,Ga

"To My Love Bennie;
I personnel just want you to know how dearly missed you are and how often you are thought of! Not a second goes by that I don't think of you. As your birthday approaches, I will be celebrating it with you. It's been almost a year that you passed fighting for our freedom and thank you isn't enough! I look at pictures of your smiling face and your family members daily and know you are missed. The scrapbook of all the memories you and I made sit at my bedside and I show you every night a new page, baby i just want you to know that I love you with all my heart and someday we will share the rest of our lives together like we planned! Happy Birthday to you babe, as I know you are sitting up there calling me"waterhead!" Hugs and Kisses to the Washington family, I love u all!"
Nicole of Hays,KS

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

"Smyrna Baptist Church of Deepstep, GA would like to present you with a quilt of honor in memory of your fallen hero. This is our way of remembering the fallen soldier for the ultimate sacrifice he gave for us. I can be reached by email at: hart_l@bellsouth.net or phone 478-552-5095."
Cheryl Hart of Tennille, GA

"Soldier Washington,

I salute you!

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

"I served with him in Korea, great guy always had a smile on his face. I remember when he had just gotten to camp howze and i was sitting down in the internet cafe and he ask me how was this place. A couple of month after i left korea i was told that he died of injuries recive in Iraq, my heart just dropped. I mean he was my boy in Korea and i didn't want to believe he had passed away. Now that i'm in Iraq i decided to look him up on the internet and find out if it was true. When i saw his name my heart just dropped and it made me so sad. I'm really sorry to hear that he passed away. My preyers go to his loved ones. He was a great Soldier(NCO). SGT Labrada"
Johan Labrada of Virginia Beach

"Bennie Washington is a man whom touched the hearts of all the people that he knew. He had a way of making people see the lighter side of everything and will most certainly never ever be forgotten. Bennie we all love you and know that you are now our guardian angel and we all just want to say that we will all miss you and love you. To Bennie's family back in GA i just want you to know that there isn't a day that goes by when i dont think about Bennie or you. He is sadly missed."
Erika Pramberger of Melbourne Australia

"Thank You Bennie, for your sacrifice. May you now know the peace you so rightly deserve. God will keep you safe at last. My heart aches with your family for their loss."
Melissa Macchi, cousin of PFC Mark Barbret, killed 10/14/04, of Roseville, MI

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Bennie Washington. He is a true HERO and will not be forgotten."
Charlotte Barbret-Cupol of Roseville, MI

"SGT. Washington
I don't know you nor have I ever heard of you before. Reading about you has brought a familiar sadness to my heart. Just 2 days after your war ended, my husband's did as well. You're not alone up there. And you'll never be forgotten."
Nikki Frickey of Houma, Louisiana/USA

"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

"To Bennie and his loved ones;

My wife and I met a young lady on the airplane flying back to KS. The young lady was quiet and had tears running down her face and was holding a picture of a young man, which we learned later it was Bennie. I grabbed her hand and asked her to talk to me. She was so proud to talk of her boyfriend and had so many good things to say about him. Her words; "Bennie was fighting a battle doing a job he loved to do; fighting for his country." She said so many positive things about this soldier and asked my wife and I to keep him in there prayers as he healed daily. We exchanged phone numbers and took her name and Bennies to our church and prayed daily. We want to thank this young man for his patrionage and dedication! We are saddened to hear of his loss. His family and the beautiful young lady, Nicole, are in our thoughts and prayers!"
Ken and Mary Walter of Tulsa, Oklahoma

"Nothing can repay the sacrafice contributed by Bennie but to you who are his loved ones this Navy veteran wish to thank him for serving our nation and may God always comfort the loved ones he left behind."
K. Alexander of Baton Rouge, La.

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

"To Bennie'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

"To Bennie J. Washington:
Thank you brave soldier for defending the freedoms we all cherish. You will be remembered each day we raise our flag in the front yard. God Bless you and may He grant your loved ones peace at this time. From a very grateful American family."
The Shaw family of Pasadena, Maryland

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