Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"You are never forgotten Joey. May your son always know the man his father was. Susan you and I spoke via email during this horrible tragedy and I wrote a poem honoring him and all the Screaming Eagles. You honored me so much in your time of loss by having this published for him. I have since had a house fire and lost alot of very valuable things to me. Not monetary but sentimental can't be replacedthings, one of which is the newspaper clipping of the article commemorating Joey. I have looked online and can't find that article and if you have a copy was hoping you could possibly email it. auburnred1217@yahoo. The site for the screaming eagles seems to have been taken down or again I just can't find it. Robin M Moore, Lt USAF Flight RN. He and the others will never be forgotten."
Robin M Moore of Michigan

"Joey we had some good times in schoolwe became really close in school and I always considered you like my little brother you are always there to make me laugh and I'll never forget promI'm very sad to hear that you left a wife and a child behind but I'm very proud to have known you because you served for our country so I walk always remember you I knew one day that you would be in the military RR me or something you absolutely loved it but I thank you again for serving I know you're in heaven and one day I will see you again god bless your family that you left behind rest in peace"
amanda allen of old fort n.c

"November 15, 2008
To the family of Pfc. Joey D. Whitener:
Joey 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

"Lil' Joey, 5 years my brother. I think about your child all the time. To many of us know what growing up without a parent is like. I remember seeing the change on your face when you came back from R & R. I guess if there is a consolation, you got to see him, at least for a few days. I hope that I make you guys proud of me and live with my guilt daily. I would have swapped places with any one of you. I miss you guys. My love to you and your family. "Comanche Pride""
SSG Josh Forbess of Fort Campbell, KY

"i love you joey it is july 23,2008 12:43 and i gess wont you to know i love you and i wish nothing would have happend to you becouse i would have not done most of the thangs i have so fare and i would have ever been in a group home i gess wished you could be by my side and help me thourght it becouse it is so hard i never thought it was ever this hard in life but i gess wont you to know im trying my best on and i wish you could be heare to help me to and i wont to say something to mom about smoking but my heart wont let me and please be heare by my side all the way till i can be with you for eternity and i will never for get you and your son looks gess like his father and i love him so much be with me joey whitener YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN LOVE YOUR NIECE FOREVER AND ALWAYS"
STACEY WHITENER of LENOIR NORTH CAROLINA

"REST IN PEASE I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU LOVE STACEY"
STACEY WHITENER of NC

"if you were hear my life would be a better plase and i would of not got in troble i love you joey you will alway;s be my unkel"
stacey whitener of NC

"i wish i could bring you back"
stacey whitener of nc

"I came upon this and wanted to let you know that Joey will not be forgotten, We
are probably related. Our prayers are with you. Also contact Shriners hospital for the baby if needed."
Joseph J. Whitener of Bethel Island, Ca.

"I didn't know Joey, but since our town has just suffered its first casualty of the Iraq war,I have begun to look in to the list of fallen HEROES. I am a Whitener from Hayti, Missouri. I know we are related as my whole family came from North Carolina in the 1900's. I just want you all to know my heart is with you and all the families of these brave wonderful soldiers. Thank you for this site. It is a wonderful tribute to fallen heroes."
Cara Whitener Petersen of Caruthersville, Missouri

"i knew joey in high school we dated our freshman yr im sorry he was taken at such a young age he was a great man i wish i could have seen him once more b4 he went in to war always wondered what happened to him may he be in a much better place and his wife and child never forget him"
heather bentley of valdese, north carolina

"Beath it has been a while since I have been here to the site and even now the hurt of what you and joey both went through is still fresh please remember though you do have Tristan and he will carry the happy memories of Joey on in your heart and mind forever....we love you be strong."
liz of Old Fort N.C.

"I love you forever and always and im sorry i never got the chance to write you a letter before you died i miss you so much and its hard on earth without you. Ill love you always!!!!!"
Ashley Whitener of Lenoir, North Carolina

"To the family of:Joey D. Whitener 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 looking up the "Whitener" name and came upon this website. I did not know Joey or the family but do want to say he is truly an American hero,because of him and all fallen soldiers we are free today. May God be with the family as you know he is resting in God's loving arms. God bless you all and God Bless America!!"
Rachel Whitener

"As a military wife and Mom I know 'just a little' of your suffering,I know it could have been my son or husband that gave their life. I know too that if it had been....it would have been a very sorrowful but a very proud moment.."no greater love than to give his life for another" THANK YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FOR YOUR LOVE TOO FOR OUR FREEDOM"
BARBARA of CALDWELL COUNTY,NC

"I am deeply sorry for your loss. And God bless everyone who has served our country. I just wanted to let you know that I wear a bracelet with Joey Whitener's name on it. I purchased it through hero bracelets.org and money goes to the fallen heroes fund. I wear it with honor and pray for him and his family."
Julie Black of Salem, Ohio

"Beth we are all here for you and Tristan. Anything we can to do help just call. Your son is the sweetest thing in the world and he will always have a father he can look up to. His father was doing something wonderful with his life but stay stong and remember, we love you."
Robin S. of Old Fort, NC. / USA

"kill em all comanche's kill em all. wish i could have done more. i still think about it every day. i dont know why i survived and you didnt. im sorry"
spc. scott, jonathon of Portland, OR

"You can help Tristan (Joey's son) and Beth by joining the Yahoo! group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TristansCollegeFund/

Peace through action,

J"
J of USA

"PFC Whitener some never know the sacrifices of a soldier...SOME GAVE ALL, ALL GAVE SOME now touches the heart all too closely. You will be dearly missed by us all brother.""
SFC Force of 1-320 "Top Guns" C, A, HSB of Ft. Campbell, KY 101st

"Your courage and sacrifice was the ultimate price for the preservation of all our freedom. "God bless you Joey!" You are considered a brother in arms yesterday and today fighten for these freedoms."
Scott Whitener of Titusville Fl. USA

"As a soldier who spent a year in Iraq and lost four of my closest buddies there, I can tell you that each of us cries when we lose one of our own. Joey's memory will live on as long as we continue to fight for the freedom he gave the ultimate sacrifice for. Mr. and Mrs. Whitener, you should be proud. Air Assault."
SPC Thomas Russell of Ft. Bragg, NC

"I am a Whitener from Oklahoma and I send my prayers to you. My son served in Desert Storm, and there were many sleepless nights until he returned home safe. My prayers and thoughts go out to you. May God bless."
Ferrie Whitener of Stratford, Oklahoma USA

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

"I am the mother in law of this Fallen Soldier, it has been several months now since he was KIA, but the hurt is still there, also his son, who will be six months old on March 13th, we just found out has a hearing impairment, more in the right ear than in the left ear. We don't know how bad it is as of this time. We have to take him to a Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon on March 25th to see exactly how bad it is, and if or what they can do for him. His name is Tristan. He is my only grandchild. And has lived with me since his birth, so to me he is so very special. As is his mom who also lives with me at this time. Please keep them in your prayers. My daughter has been through more in this past year from the age of 16 to just a little over 17, than most people have been in their whole life. She went from a bride, to a mother to a widow, and now her son has a hearing impairment, as to what extent we do not know at this time. Please keep this family and myself in your prayers. God said that He would not put more on us than we can handle, but this past year has been a lot to handle.
We also had a Memorial Blood Drive in memory of Joey on Feb. 4th, 2004, and in Buncombe County, NC they was able to get 17 units of blood. But in McDowell County, where Joey was from we were able to get 70 units of blood. Also in Nov, starting this year and every year from here on, we are working with the Red Cross to have a Yearly PFC Joey Whitener Memorial Blood Drive, in Honor of Joey. This is a way that we can keep on honoring him. Please keep us all in your prayers. Beth if you are reading this. I love you with all of my heart and soul, and Tristan too. You are my whole world, and may God Bless you and lead you in the right way and help you bring the baby up in the right way, and to remember his daddy and that his daddy gave his life for him and for the rest of us to keep us safe. I HONOR JOEY AND YOU and TRISTAN today and every day. Love you"
Susan Yelton of Old Fort, NC, 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, Joey, will be remembered by name. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless you. Pat & Sandi Breckenridge from Montana "

"OUR special chosen words since day one of finding this site last year...have always been......REST IN PEACE BRAVE SOLDIERS/MARINES/WARRIORS We love you and MAY GOD BLESS you each. Your loved ones are in a beautiful place called Heaven now....When you look up to the sky at night and see the brightest star...it's your hero..shining down on you..The Taylors United States Marine Corps, North Carolina"

"I'm a 52 year old American Male and have lived a good life. I'm very sorry about Joey and I want you to know that his sacrifice will not be forgotton. I never knew Joey or his family but I feel very deeply for both. As a proud citizen of the United States of America, I want to thank All our soldiers for their commitment but especially Joey for carrying our name into the battle for Freedom. Jim Whitener, Yuma Arizona"
Jim Whitener of Yuma, Az.

"Thank you Joey Whitener, 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

"The list just keeps growing, but this is to let you know that I still think of the ones already gone and always will. To this soldiers wife, my prayers are with you and know that your husband loved you enough to sacrifice his life for his country and our future. Take care."
Beverly Arnold of Cynthiana, KY

"To PFC Joey Whitener's Family,
May God bless your family with comfort in your hearts from this day forward. May HE assure you that Joey is now a soldier in HIS kingdom of eternal life. Joey did a good and honorable service for our country. His fight for our freedom is very appreciated by us all. From this ArmyMom to your family, please know that I will never forget Joey."
ArmyMom Kim of JR the MI Guy of Sanford, North Carolina

"To the family and friends of Pfc. Joey Whitener:
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 Joey 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. Joey Whitener:
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 Joey, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia