Ivan E. Merlo, 19

I met Merlo a few times while visiting my Husband in Ky. This Guy was one of the funniest guys I ever met. He had this old love of "BadBoys" and he always did this little shoulder thing lol.

And, he spoke about his wife all the time. He was always concerned with her and her grades. I saw both of them one day at the mall in Ky then at this bumper car track we all went too(we had fun). He treated His wife like a princess. I thought to myself that they were so young but had this great love between them.

One day Merlo, Pannier, Rutherford, and my Husband (Harrison) and myself were outside having a discussion on whether a certain foot wear was called flip flops, sandles, shower shoes, or thongs. The convo went on for about 30 mins lol. I still think they are called flip flops and I'm sticking to it lol.
Merlo was a great guy and I know there will be plenty to follow in his foot steps of being a "real" person. He was upfront and bold and loving in my eyes and that's what should be imitated.
This retarted war might have taken his life but it will NEVER take away our memory of him.
--The Harrison's

I LOVE MY COUSIN A LOT.HE WAS ALWAYS THE ONE TO L

OOK AFTER HIS LITTLE BROTHERS AND TELLING THEM TO BE GOOD AND DO GOOD THINGS. I LOVE HIM A LOT AND I REALLY MISS HIM

you will never be forgotten by dog because you will always be in my heart ,YOU ARE MY HERO. WHAT MAKES YOU THAT PERSON IS THAT YOU MADE DIFRENCE IN OUR FAMILY , NOW YOU WILL NEVR BE FORGOTTEN.

YU MIGHT NOT STEP ON EARTH ANYMORE BUT THE THOUGHT OF YU BEING GONE RUNS ACROSS MY MIND EVERY DAY END NITE. I MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO SEE YU AGAIN BUT I KNOW THAT ONCE I LEAVE THIS PLACE I'LL SEE YU ONCE AGAIN. THE THOUGHT OF YU BEING GONE MAKES ME WANNA LET IT OUT AND CRY. BUT NOW THAT YUR GONE AND STARTED SOMETHING I'LL FINISH IT FOR YU
HOPE TO SEE YU SOON "HERO"

ivan was a good. also he loved are hole family and he got married and he loves his wife nicole merlo also he loves his little brother and thats me alex merlo also his family loves his family.

i didn't really know ivan but i knew he was married to nicole [she is my cuzin] when i heard he passed i wanted to cry that day the only thing i was thinking was about how nicole felt and what where his last thoughts. Ivan Merlo i thought he was nice he cared for lots of people even people he didn't know and i look up to him 4 that and i hope he will rest in peace

Well Ivan was a person that comes once in a life time he had best presonality and he would never put you down he would smile no matter what beacuse he would always look on the bright side of evry thing if u need advice he new what to do or say and i look up too him beacuse he a hero in our family and you will alwayz be i my heart and in mind ever day of my life and you are still will be the best cousin i have had in my life and thats why i look up too you in every and if i am in a bad situations i say too myself what would Ivan do so thats why ur my hero and one of my idols love you cousin and i will never forgete time you a luis and deigo and edwin scared me at ur house well I'LL SEE you again one day and when i see you again you will never worry about any thing love you and dont forget that i do R.I.P.

Ivan was not only a brother,friend but my hero i thank god for leting you be a part of my life..although he took you pretty soon..he was the type of person that would give you strenght and motivation when you most wanted to give up. He went to the marine corp with such motivation and always striving to help his family. Ivan was the type of person you couldn't stay mad at he always put a smile on your face HERO I WILL ALWAY'S LOVE AND MISS YOU!!!!

Merlo the my the brother i never had! i met ivan at basic training and every since then we 've been friends...RIP (LOW)

this is luis it has been 2 years now. i really miss him i think bout him everyday of ma life and i feel upset becuz i havent been able to see him. no matter he is always gonna be ma cuzin and i love him wit all ma heart. yes he is dead now in this world but in ma heart he continues living he is ma hero and ma cuzin and thats what makes him be wit me all the time. like i said i love him and i wanna be able to c him one more time i cnt stand the fact that i c his picture in ma room everyday and in ma folder bcuz all it does is remind me of him everyday and it makes me even more sad the fact that i cnt see him.idk still dnt understand why this happend to him he was such a good guy no matter what happens i will continue rememberin him bcuz he is ma "HERO"

I don't know this soldiers as I'm just visiting the website. I thank him and his family for his dedication to our county. Thank you for keeping America free and protecting our beliefs. It's because heroes like you my very young daughter will be able to live freely in this wonderful country. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! RIP

Wow time has gone by so fast i remember seeing you around and i never had the chance to actually have a great conversation for the last time with you. your family has gone through so much and every thing they have gone through you have been there through every step i can assure anyone that. you were so filled with life there was always a smile on your face. you loved your wife to the max always talking about her , you two were the cutest things on earth and im sure your guiding her as the days go by, your mother is a strong woman for taking control after and raise your two brothers ofcourse you were missed but you were and will always be known as a hero, you may be gone but youll never be forgotten, i walk into walmart and i see your picture on the wall to salute to our soldiers and i think to myself what would i have done if i would of never met you thanks to you i thought twice about life i know i was doing wrong but you were an angel sent to all of us, like ive told you this isnt a good bye its a see you later mush love hun see you soon

To the Family and Friends of:
Ivan

I am so sorry for your loss of a fine young man.

His death is not in vain. He gave his life for the freedom of others. Another son gave his life for the freedom of others. Jesus Christ.

Through that death, there will be no more death pain and sorrow. All war implements, thought of war will have been a thing of past.

Neither death will be in vain. There will be positive outcome that you can believe in.

For Jesus has said that all those in the "Memorial Tombs, will hear his voice and come out.: Just think seeing him is promised in the near future.
John 5:28,29; Revelation 21:3,4,

There will be no more pain, no sorrowing, no any dying. For God has said he's making all things new, for there words are faithful and true.

Soon we all will be free in true sense of the word.

May these few words give you hope and comfort.

Hey Merlo! well time is still passing by fast! im sure your proud of your family and all the things they have accomplished in life so far, its hard not having you here with us anymore! We know your in a better place, counting down the days until we meet again. May God have you in his Glory, Much love Sara <3