On this Memorial Day, the Los Angeles Times pays tribute to the California service members who have died in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq by publishing a selection of comments posted over the last year by those who knew and loved them. Hundreds more can be read on The Times' database, California's War Dead.
These memories speak of friendship and loss in a simple and heartfelt way — and remind us of the great sacrifices made in service to this country.
More than 6,000 members of the American military have died since the conflict in Afghanistan began in late 2001. Among them are 643 Californians and an additional 447 men and women who were assigned to bases in this state.
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Share a memory of America’s armed forces
Source: California's War Dead
Credits: Megan Garvey, Maloy Moore, Ben Welsh
Wow words cant even begin to express upon how much u will be missed kevin.. Thank u for being you and serving our country i wish u and i would have kept in touch im so sorry we didnt... I know ill see u again one day... To the family and to ally (kevins gf) im so sorry to all of u guys i know u guys are and always will be proud of kevin for all he did.. Ill always pray for you all to have the strength for everything ur going threw... I know he is watching us... Sincerely alison kilhoffer sayre oklahome
Years have passed, but our family will never be the same without you. We all miss you jay, I know your in a better place now, but please look after us. I honestly miss you and I wish i could have stayed with you for vacations when you asked me :/ I love you and I Miss you prima. Rip forever in our hearts
& god bless our soilders and my two cousins that are surviving in the marines
Jason, you always had that special gift of making difficult days more bearable. A long day of work always went by quicker with your sense of humor and laughter. You are and shall always remain a hero in my heart. You will be missed, but we shall meet again.
Daniel, I watched you grow up and I'm so proud of you. You were a cute little boy and then you became a young man. Daniel had a great heart with unconditional love for his family and the people in his life.His dedicated everything to provide a better future for all of us here. We miss you, but we will meet one day in a better place.
God speed brother DOC. May your many impacts live on and teach all those who aspire to continue the good work of the hospital corps, and for all the families who have healthy sons and daughters thanks to your unconditional efforts to provide care and treatment in the line of fire far away from home on their behalf.
Jesse truly loved what he did as a soldier. From deep within himself, he believed in the mission and never let any of the negative aspects unhinge his love for his country and the soldiers he lead. Thank you Jesse.
Well, it's been 2 years since you've been gone and I know it's still in the back of a lot of people's minds just like it had happened yesterday.. Especially Rox. She has come such a long way, you'd be so happy.. I know she misses you so much.. But she's knows that you're in a good place and you died doing what you loved, fighting for this country. You'll be forever missed! See ya someday.
Miss this GUY! He was a very loving person to everyone. I remember walking home from school(Hamilton) with him and his sister always singing a song from Kirk Franklin. Also meeting up with him on saturdays at Houghton park for our little singing sessions With Andrea. Miss those days! YOu Are LOved!
Victor. I wish you were here bro. This is Dani, we both graduated from Bravo in the Class of 2000. You were one of three that enlisted to serve our country out of all of our cohort. You, me, and Sean. I'm forever thankful for your service...
Ronnie i am so glad i got the chance to know u, growing up with you was a blessing! ill see u wednedsay and thursday! happy early birthday! I LOVE U!
Hey Ricky, it's been almost 6 years now and here we are still missing you. We had so many great times. Now all that's left are memories. You are in our hearts always!
We love you kenny. y ou are a example of how human being should live their lives. quiet, compasionate, loving, and thoughtful. your family will never be the same. we love you so much and are so very very proud of you
I've known Eric since Jr. High School, so many memories in that time span. Eric was always the guy you wanted on your team, or in your company he always brought a smile. I will and do miss him dearly. he will always have a place in our hearts.
Cody, we still miss your fun spirit and think of the many days and nights you spent in our home after watching you play football with our son Bob. Diane and I were in Washington DC in August of 2010 and took a few minutes to visit your grave at Arlington. We remain so proud of your love of country and courage you demonstrated until your last day on earth. God bless you.
I remember standing post in the cold...we were all miserable. But he wasn't he had an unending amount of luster. He would pull off hand stands and head spins just to see you smile. It effects me even now to know he isn't out there. To all my brothers, alive or passed on, I miss you, and until we meet again, Semper Fi.
You were a great guy. I am glad we went through basic at Benning together and had the chance to get to know each other. Its a different type of friend who crawls through the mud, encourages you to continue when you feel you can't, picks you up when you fall down, and holds your ruck when it is too much for you at times. I was astonished to hear the news and you will be missed brother.
Gabriel, I miss you every day and I'm so glad we shared our time together. You are honestly the best person I ever met. I remember when you called me from Iraq and said that you couldn't wait to see us. I'm trying to make this world a better place and everything I do, I do in your honor. I love you Gabriel. I'll be seeing you.
I don’t even know where to begin. It is now officially 8 years since you left, and I miss you so much. I have cried all day. This 8th anniversary has by far been one of the harder ones. I wish I knew why but maybe it’s because your niece is older now and asks so many more specific questions or it’s because I have never forgotten or been able to heal. I actually never thought I would I guess I just thought it would get a little easier; not harder. I tell her so many stories about you and show her pictures. She always tells me she misses you and loves you. She also says “Its not fair I didn’t get to see Uncle Ja”. I tell her to look at your picture and never forget, and I tell her how great of an uncle you would be. She always says “I know mom” and gives me hugs. I love you so much Ja and I couldn’t miss you anymore. I wish it didn’t hurt so bad…….
I miss every memory with my dad he was my bestfriend and every person he ever met loved him. Rest in peace dad love you more than anything
4 yrs ago today Daniel led his infantry team in search of insurgents in the al anbar province. Killed in action. I still expect my son to walk through our front door with that big smile and bear hug. Never forgotten. Daniel believed in what he was doing, and I believe I him. He fought for those who could not or would not. God bless America! Land of the free.
James was my nephew. A young man searching for his passion in life. He made his way from one venture to the next and found himself a part of the military tradition in our family. I thank the Lord that we had the time with him that we did. I wish now, that I had taken all those missed opportunities to be a bigger part of his life- but there was always tomorrow, wasn't there?
Some people forget that there is a war happening whether they like it or not. They forget the heroes that die for them and the ones who continue to fight.
I would like to thank all the military men and women who serve our great nation. I also want to thank their families who also bear a huge sacrifice.
I miss my husband everyday and wish I could hold him again in my arms. I love you Kyle and I will never forget what you did for me and for our country!
Like so many others who knew you, my heart is still broken my dear friend. I love you forever, laugh often remembering so many things, and miss you fiercely. Peace, Bruno. You will always be in my heart.
Rafael served with me as a member of my squad throughout his first couple years in the Marines. I was his squad leader and he was always reliable. When everyone else would complain, he always seemed ok with things. He truly was a marine and anyone who served with him is proud to have. Rest in peace "PG"...Semper Fidelis.
Rowan we left for basic training together and we left for Iraq together. The time in between we became good friends. You were always there when someone needed you. I wish I could have been there when you needed someone the most. I will never forget you. May you rest in peace. We will meet again my friend.
I met Blue when I was a PV2 during OIF 2005. He was one of the CA guys who made me feel like a member of the team even though I was a Signal Soldier. I will always remember him as the consummate professional and a great human being. My time serving with him in Dahuk was a highlight of my military career.