Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"You are always in our thoughts, Stephen. Time has not lessened the sadness. You will always be my hero."
Cousin Bill of Miami

"Stephen and I were in flight school together 16 years ago and not a year goes by that I don't think about him. I miss you brother, and know that your sacrifice will never be forgotten."
CW3/Ret Brian Evans of Apopka, FL

"Hey I still think about you all the time... I'm 22 years old now.. I'll be 23 this year.. I'm getting a tattoo for you it'll be pretty sick"
Tj Janicke of Casper Wyoming

"Soon it'll be ten years my brother still feels like yesterday i miss you so dearly nobody to play those Alice in Chains lyric games with.Johns still John a piece of puzzle is missing and i feel like things just can't be finished without you Mom and Dad are getting older Carol and Aunt Pattie got cancer doesn't look good for my leg I think I might lose it f*ck man sure could use you around soon my brother we'll be together"
Robert of Ashley Falls MA.

"I read the messages below, and until I left the Squadron in 2010 I made sure Mr Wells and Laskowski's names were still on an aircraft."
Edward Lawton, SFC Retired of Rialto, CA

"God Bless you to the Family and Stephen on this Memorial Day. I was there in Outlaw Troop with Stephen and Matt and think of them often. I miss them.
I wish all the best for his family.
Rest in Peace Sir."
Edward Lawton, SFC Retired of Rialto, CA

"Steve,

I know your somewhere. Looking upon us, still remember the good times at Stanton, flying the 518 and the day the weather went to crap! I still remember the day you left KTC early, Well the times may seem like long ago but in the end they are good memories.
Bless you and well see you later."
RB of Sacramento Ca.

"On Thursday, February 26th I dreamt that a postman riding a bicycle called my name and delivered a note saying that Stephen Wells' will had been checked, and the postman handed me a damp towel with three red roses inside. I have never before dreamt anyone's name, and so I googled it. The red roses mean something. God bless you in your time of sorrow."
Cathy of Toronto, Canada

"Stephen,

It's been about 20 years since the last time I saw you. Working with you at McDonald's in Great Barrington was so much fun. I couldn't believe that God had taken you when I went to search for you after all these years. You are a true hero and will be missed terribly. You were one of my best friends..... May God Bless your wife and children always.

Love,
Angela"
Angela Thomas of Olney, MD

"February 7, 2009
To the family of CW2 Stephen M. Wells:
Stephen 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 still remember the SuperBowl party we had before you left our family thinks about you every year the picture of you and your wife is still on our shelf"
Tj Janicke of West Carthage Newyork

"Stephen was a great NCO of mine and a great man. When he approached me for a letter of recommendation for flight school how can you turn him down? He was a true professional both in his personal and professional life. He will surely be missed.

Garryowen!"
Floyd S. Werner, Jr. of Baltimore, MD

"Wells Family:
My mom and stepdad (last name "Wells")
received a memorial glass angel from the Angels of Love Ministry which I believe was intended for you - they live in Colrain, MA. Please contact me. Also, website for Angels of Love is www.angelsoflove.org
mcpaliotta@aol.com"
Cynthia Paliotta of Horseheads, NY, USA

"I NOW HAVE A TRUE HERO IN MY FAMILY,MY BROTHER WHO I MISS GREATLY I'M SO GLAD WE SPENT THOSE DAYS IN THE TRANS AM.I WILL NEVER FORGET THOSE MEMORIES.I WILL SEE YOU SOON LOVE ROBERT"
ROBERT WELLS of ASHLEY FALLS MA. USA

"Another years goes by and it still seems only yesterday we were at Rucker. You will always be remembered!wiesbo@aol.com"
Wieseler Family of Fort Drum, NY

"God Bless You Stephen"
Rebecca (Cornwell) Wood of Dalton, MA

"To Stephens Family,
I went to High school with him, everyone knew him as Spiffy. I can't remember anyone ever calling him by his real name. Well, I just found out a few months ago what had happened. I want you know that I appreciate everything he did for this country. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Spiffy, Thank you and God bless you!"
Monika Brunnschweiler of San Diego, CA

"To the family of:Stephen M. Wells 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

"Steve,

You left us over a year ago. I miss you. I thought of you every day in Iraq. You kept me going. I remembered you every time I wrote home. I thought of how your kids will grow up with only your memory. I remember carrying a recliner up two stories to your room (remember that?) I missed giving you a hard time because you were such a good sport. AI missed just seeing you under the rotor blades filling the radios in the dead of winter. I miss your sense of duty and need to accomplish any mission given to the very best you know how. Steve, you are one in a million. I miss you. I can’t say more because I can hardly see the computer. I miss you."
Mikey of Hawaii

"to this soldiers wife,, one year on and i am sure u miss him more each day,, i am in saudi,, and just thought to say ,, i am thinking of you at this time,, things are getting better over this way,, its just very slow goin, i am an australian,, take care of you,,,"
sandy of riyadh , saudi arabia

"Hey Stephen this is your nephew John's best friend Darren Schofner and even though i never met you i know you were a great person and I am deeply thankful for you serving in the army to fight and protect me and all the others in our country. And also I wish I could've met you because the rest of your family are such great people.
Sincerly, Darren Schofner"
Darren Schofner Jr. of Norwich, CT, US

"Stephen will never be forgotten. He came to Iraq and dove right into the fight. We bonded immediately because between Stephen, Casey, and myself we had a dozen kids. We would kid around that when we all got back to Colorado we would have to hold the barbeque at the park because no one had a yard big enough for all of us. Most of us have Stephen and Matt's names on a memorial bracelet we had made for us. We will never take them off either. I think about Stephen daily and miss him very much. Tosha, I wish I could have spent more time with you and the kids at the memorial. It was a painful day for my wife and I and seeing the boys in daddy's helicopter was too much for us. I promised you that his name will remain on the aircraft forever for all to remember. I teach at the NCO Academy at Fort Rucker now. Every time we teach new students I teach how Stephen always gave of himself and how much he meant to us. He is a hero to all of us. Tosha,If you or the kids ever need anything, feel free to ask. God bless you. (mark.ladd.merino@us.army.mil)"
Mark Merino of Fort Rucker, AL

"Steve,
Thanks so much for all you did in Outlaw Troop. You came to Iraq so that Casey and I could return home after 11 months in country. No words can express my appreciation for your selfless actions. I'll see you and Matt in Fiddler's Green!"
CW2 Robert Tucker of Outlaw Troop, 4/3 ACR, Ft. Carson, CO

"KEEP FIGHTING"

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

"To my husband,my hero,and a wonderful father. We will miss you always and keep in our hearts that you were doing what you loved. I know you are in heaven watching over us everyday! We love you many dots my dear Stephen."
Stephens wife Tosha of Ft.Carson CO

"Low Flight"

Dedicated to Stephen M. Wells


Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth,

And Hovered out of Ground Effect on Semi-Ridgid Blades.

Earthward I've Auto'ed, and met the Rising Brush of Non-Paved Terrain;

And done a thousand things you would never care to.

Skidded and Dropped and Flared Low in the Heat Soaked Roar.

Confined there, I've chased the Earthbound Traffic

And Lost the race due to Insignificant Headwinds.

Forward and up a Little in Ground Effect,

I've Topped the Admirals hedge with drooping turns,

Where never SkyHawk nor even Tomcat Flew.

Shaking and Pulling Collective, I've Lumberd

The Low untresspassed Halls of Victor Airways;

Put out my Hand, and Touched a Tree.

Today Stephen you Fly with Angels. Thank you for your Dedication and Sacrifice. Godspeed Chief..."
Dennis B. Dray Maj (R) ARNG of Tucson, AZ

"as s close firend of stephen and also one that served side by side with him I am very deeply hurt and saddened for the loss you have had. To the family of "MY FRIEND STEPHEN M WELLS" if you need anything at all you can call on me anytime. He will be in my heart for all time. Remember he is not gone if he is still in your hearts. He is a true american hero, and i will never forget the ultimate sacrifice he has made for all of"
SPC walter gunnels of Carlin ,Nv U.S.A.

"as s close firend of stephen and also one that served side by side with him I am very deeply hurt and saddened for the loss you have had. To the family of "MY FRIEND STEPHEN M WELLS" if you need anything at all you can call on me anytime. He will be in my heart for all time. Remember he is not gone if he is still in your hearts. He is a true american hero, and i will never forget the ultimate sacrifice he has made for all of"
SPC walter gunnels of Carlin ,Nv U.S.A.

"Stephen will be remembered as a father, a husband and a Soldier who died defending what he and all of us believe in!! Freedom and Democracy. God bless the Wells family and my Sincerest sympathy in the loss of Stephen."
SFC Arnold of Iraq

"I, and I'm sure other New Englanders, will remain in prayer for the family of Stephen Wells during these difficult days. May God comfort all those who mourn."
Sister Virginia Strahan of New England Synod of the ELCA, Worcester, MA

"To Stephen's Family:
There are no words that can express our deep sorrow for your loss. May God bless you and your family as Stephen 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 your family in your loss and your deep grief. Your HERO, Stephen will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

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