Jonathan D. Welch, 19

I've only known jon for a couple of years... when I heard about his passing, I did not believe it. He was such a unique, intelligent guy. I am still in shock that he's gone... He will be missed by many people... No one will forget the good times.

Jon was like a brother, i'll never forget his laugh and smile. he was always making people laugh. there was never a dull moment. i still can't believe he's gone. my best regards to the Welch family. he'll forever be with us and in our hearts. i love and miss you brother. see you soon.

Man I'm going to miss you, we had good times, Basic Training, Stationed @ Lewis...our trips to Seattle...I just cant believe your gone, I cant stop thinking that maybe if you hadn't taken that xtra day of leave coming from basic, you would have been in 3rd bde instead of 5th....and all this would have never happened, Im going to miss you Jon...

My prayers and thoughts are with Jonathan and his family and friends. He is a Hero!! As ex US Army myself, he is one of my brothers. I also live in Yorba Linda and this makes his passing even more peresonal.
God Bless you Jonathan and your family.

i met Jon the week after he join the army and moved to ft lewis, but we all knew him as Spaz, and he was really that. He really had a big impact on my life and helped make me who i am today. Cheers Brother, ill never forget you

40 oz and poop my pants...

I met Jon on my way home from school, he was one of my brothers friends coming to my house after school, he was walking with christian and i walked with them to my house. I kind of idolized him in 8th and 9th grade and that how i met one of my best friends, his brother, who i made more friends trough him, i remember walking with him and a bunch of other people and i made a chicken noise and he fell to the ground laughing, thats a simple but great memory i have with him.
Jon was a great guy with a great sense of humor and i really appreciate all he's done for me, weather he knew he did it or not.
Last time i saw him he stayed the night at my house and i didn't know till the next morning when i went into the kitchen and he was there and we talked for a bit than he said his goodbye.
gonna miss you Jon

This kid was amazing! I remember meeting him it was at the Bad Manners show in Seattle and he was sitting on the corner of the stage. After that night it was like me and my husband would drive down to Ft Lewis and pick him up every weekend. He was allways the life of the party, making everyone laugh, smile, he was realy close to me and my husband and he will be missed greatly. I cant put into words realy how much Spaz meant to me. I miss him.

Our condolences on the loss of your Johnathon. We thank him for proudly serving in our military. God bless his family in their time of grief.

When I first met jon he seemed quite. I eventually found out that he was an outgoing man with a ver very VERY colorful personality. he could sometimes be mean, he would be insulting some of the time. but i think that some of it was an act, i think in reality he was a very nice guy, just very wild. i wasnt very close to him, in fact im not sure if he liked me or not. but he ws an outgoing and wild person (in a good way) who was always himself no matter what, and i think in that sense we could all learn somthing from him

I met Jonathan when my son Spc. Stanker brought him home to spend Thanksgiving with us last year. He was so funny everyone in the family and all Jared's friends in Chicago loved him. He fit right in with us and we looked forward to his next stay with us. He will never be forgotten in our house and I know my son who is still in Afghanistan with 5-2, 1-17 Charlie Co is hurting today missing his fallen friend. My prayers to his parents and extended family he told us so much about. We will have a mass here for Jonathan every year so he is with us always! Susan Stanker

Spaz and I had a unique relationship, the first time i met him i was going to a punk rock show and i was meeting up with my friends, spaz (who i didn't know at the time) just jumped in my car and told me HI IM SPAZ IM KYLES FRIEND, then from there on we got along, we drove for 6 hours to a punk rock show in Lancaster then were there for 20 minutes and got kicked out! He was one in a million, We will always remember listening to music all trying our best to dance and spaz jumping in the middle of the circle with his hand behind his head and other arm on his hip thrusting his pelvic area biting his lip! His laugh was very memorable as well as him in general. I love this guy like a brother and i cant wait to see him again later on.

Jon, Jon, Jon
I miss you

I had the honor of being Jon's aunt. I am stuned by the loss of my nephew. He was special and blessed boy. He was so blessed in life I thought he would come home with nothing but great stories and new friends after a job well done. He is forever in my heart. K.

I grew up in the same church as jon in Irvine. I remember being home schooled with him and getting together to draw up some really stupid comic strip. It was about a kid who was a spy and went overseas to fight evil with all sorts of gadgets. We got along very well. Being a couple years older I thought he was a little squirt. But I liked him alot. I will miss him. God Bless Jon. Rest in Peace

R.I.P. Spaz, I love you so much, the very first time we hung out you became one of my best friends. we had so many great times together. I will always remember you and your contagious smile, you amazing laugh, your nihilistic ways. It brings tears to my eyes to think of the times we shared, I cant believe this has happened, its not right i feel like there are more memories to be made with you, the drugs we did together and of course all the drunken adventures we had. all the times i picked you up in the taco bell parking lot by fort lewis with a ton of pabst and drugs.You were one of a kind, there will never be another like you. you didnt care about all the bullcrap in the world you only cared about the important things and i looked up to you for that, you loved life, and its a terrible thing that that was taken from you. brother you will always be in my heart. I will see you again someday and you can count on me haveing a pbr for you.

we miss you so much.

I'm sorry for the loss of Jonathan Welch. I was saddended to read about him the LA Times and OC Register.
I grew up in Yorba Linda and went to Esperanza.
I belong to a group American Soldier Project. We cross stitch a memorials for fallen soldiers. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/americansoldiermemorial/

I would be honored to do one for Jonathan. If someone could contact me with his parent's information I would appreciate it

Thank you,
Amy Whelan

John you did this for us, whether or not this war has a purpose, you did it for us and thats all that matters. You died for us to be free and we take pride in men like you who are willing to take that risk

Have fun,
Drink a cold one

Welch, you will be missed brother. I never have and never will know anyone like you. You were the funniest most out going person I have ever met. I am proud to have known u and served beside you. You are a hero. RIP. See u when I get there. Collins

Hangin' out with Jon in our punk days were some of the greatest days in my life... Jon taught me that we only live once, so we should take advantage of that & never regret a second of it. Everytime I drive down Fairmont, I always look at the little hill we used to walk over to get to your house, & think of you. I was stunned when I heard the news tonight...I couldn't even form a God damn sentence let alone say a word... I'll miss ya' bud. I'm sorry I didn't stick around like I should have. See ya' when my time comes brother.

thank you for doing, what we cowar away from. you protect us everday, even if we can't see you. thank you for keeping the U.S. safe.

It seems that this world was too slow for Jon and thats why sometimes we used to think he was crazy. But truly a man with a sense of humor and a laugh like his is not crazy but a person who is wiser then us all. Jon always gave me the biggest hugs when he saw me, he would even stop a conversation to do so. Jon is a person of mental wealth and I hope some day I get to share that with him. Peace out and Rock on forever Jon going to miss you brother man.

When i first meet jon years ago, he was pretending to cut off his mothers toe. haha. Jon could take the worst situation and make you laugh about something. Im going to miss his laugh. Im glad i came up and visited him in fort Lewis as much as i did. I love you jon! and you know that. You died a hero. And i am so proud to have known you. Drinking sidewalk slammers for you!
I know your still here watching over us.
Ill see you soon.

I never have met Jon. I am close friends with his brother Danny. He talked about him so much that I feel like I know him. I regret never having met him. But I still think of him as My Brother.

i only met jon a few times and instantly wanted to talk to him. he drew me too him with his charm and his wit. he was an amazing guy who passed serving this beautiful country and is a true hero. my heart is breaking for danny, mary, and the whole stroll family. i love you all. RIP jon.

i'm speechless. i never thought that this would happen to you. the last time i spoke to you before you left in july, the thought of you dying never crossed my mind. i was waiting for those two years for you to come home, and for you to get your place you wanted in HB back HOME with your friends. everyday that i think about it, it's still like new news to me, and it brings up many tears. i'll never forget meeting you my freshman year in highschool, those 4 years ago. good times, and i wish there was more to come. REST IN PEACE.

I was at the memorial service in Dixon yesterday for Jonathan Welch (Sept. 12/09) and I'm also a Vietnam veteran.

I was the only one who took quite a few pictures and can easily share them.

Rudy Calpo
rcalpo@chdarchitects.com

For all of those who have fallen, and all those who and which I've had the honer to sever with. my only regret is that i wasn't by your side and able to serve with you. You were a soul that i will not forget and will carry your memory with me until my day of death. You died for for me and my newborn child what more could we really ask..If I could trade it out, your life for mine, I wish you would have just of asked, cause it seems to me you should of had more time. But this is life, from what i have seen, not so fair and ohh so mean. I will love you always for how you were, I'll never forget you and that's for sure.

You will be in our heart's forever and will never be forgotten. Aaron and Cynthia Covington-

Once again taken out of my life. I'm Glad I got see you again, after so many years. Guess we won't get to catch up after all...

God Bless you Jon!!!

RIP
Childhood friend and and Personal Hero

Jon, never met you but you are a hero, sounds like you are a character. Thank you for serving our country, you paid the ultimate sacrifice. Some people have no idea what you have done for our country, no clue, no respect, no heart. God Bless your Mom and Dad the hell they are going through, the pain never goes away, just over time gets easier to deal with. Once again thankyou. Christopher J. Garcia
501 Attack Helicopter Battalion Head quarter Co.

I come to this section of latimes.com on a regular basis to read bios of soldiers, so that I can put faces to the "numbers".. so that in some way I am paying my respects to those who sacrificed their lives.
When I came across Jonathan's bio today, I was hit with a wave of sadness. I realize that he chose this road in life and I respect and appreciate it... but it still makes me sad to know that this young man was taken away so soon and away from his family. While I'm sure they are proud, I'm sure their hearts ache for him. I am emotional as I write this...and I didn't even know him. It just kills me that he was just a kid..... and he's gone now. I wish our soldiers could just come home....

hi JOHN , you dont't know me but looking at your picture you seems like a good person and an angel..Thank you for serving our country and you will be missed. You are now with God...Bless your family and may you now rest in peace with the Lord...

Thank you for your service to our country Jonathan. You were brave and will missed forever!!! I did not know you personally but I also live in Yorba Linda and will be eternally grateful to you for your service. Please rest in Peace.

Jonathon, my brother Aaron spoke highly of you when he was home on leave in October. He was your roommate for 6 months at Lewis and a friend in Charlie Co. He wanted to come down and pay his respects when they all got home next year. I will take his place as he is with you and all the other great men and women who have given the last full measure of devotion for our country. God Bless your family and friends - I hope to see you next year. Best wishes, ~ the Aamot Family

Everytime I wake up to my ankle tickling, I think of you. brings me back to when we fell asleep on Kyles couch together and I woke up to find you tickling my foot.
It's been almost a year. It's been really hard for me. Your in my thought every single day. Your photo is in my wallet so I can carry your memory with me on all my journeys.
I have many sleepless nights and your always pondering in my mind. Like I'm waiting for you to come back and move to HB and do the tattoo you were planning on doing for me. And every night, I almost start crying because I regret never writing you. you ask me to before you left on leave.... and I never did. I'm so sorry. I love you so much. You helped guide me through life almost daily back in the day and helped me with my struggles as I know you were going through your own battles.
Rest in peace Spazz. I love you with all my heart.

Your family has my deepest condolences in the loss of your young son, Jonathan.
Please remember that "God comforts us in all our tribulation...we are comforted by God." (2 Cor. 1:4)

Although Jonathan died in his youth, he has the hope of a resurrection in Paradise & living forever under peaceful
conditions.

Our Creator will soon eliminate death, sorrow, mourning, tears & pain. (Rev. 21:3,4) You can gain further consolation & encouragement by going to wwww.jw.org.

Chewy,

We love you and will forever miss you.
Thanks for everything you taught us.
See you again one day.

I miss you so much I literally have no one to vent to. <33 see you soon.
-meg

love you jon glad you left us a hero with a big impact on all the people you ever met. i pray for your family everyday see you one day brother. not a 40 goes by without a poor out for you.

You never failed to make me laugh, I wish I had more time. I wish I would have written you like I said I would. I wish I would have taken that extra time to see you, made the excuse, broken curfew, said screw the rest.
You don't realize what a good friend someone is until they're gone. I'm so glad you were in my life, we all miss you.

Kevin posted a facebook post honoring you today. I dont think you were around when facebook really got 'cool' and 'hip' but if you were here you'd probably have one and I'd most likely write on your wall to see if you wanted to hang out this weekend. I miss you like crazy. I got sent to rehab shorty after you passed, changed my life up a bit. I couldn't make it to your funeral because they had me locked up in there but I was thinking about you every day. After you went away, someone got on your old myspace account and deleted the pictures of you and me. Didn't delete any of the others though.I dont have those pictures anymore and that really pisses me off. I'm pretty sure we can both guess who it is. Screw them and their use of a selfish mind, people get weird over death. I think its bullsh*t and I know you would too. Screw em', whatever. I have an amazing boyfriend, he treats me like gold. He's a goofball. I'm probably going to marry the kid one day, I wish you could be here. You guys would get along. I'm also in the process of car shopping. Wish I could freakin come pick you up for old times sake. I miss you. So much. Its weird I honestly try not to think about you too often or I'll get myself in a rut. You'll always be in my heart no matter what, and thats okay. Its when you get in my mind that really messes sh*t up. I love you forever. I'll see you again.

Love always, Keex

hey man,its been a long time since i talked to you that last night on gaurd in arghandab,i remember our convo too this day..not a day goes by that i dont think of you brother,or ammot,gooch,stanker,walze,jackson,dela rosa,williamson,brochu,walsh,gonzales,griffen,and if you seen him yet sherf is with you too. i love you and the guys more then again,and i regret every single day that i am not with you. RIP brother

It is very disheartening for me to learn about the passing away of Jon. As many friends have mentioned, Jon was a man of the people. I came to know him at at FT Benning when he and I were in the same platoon for Basic Training (BCT) and Advanced Individual Training (AIT). During the time we spent togther at Benning, I found Jon to be interesting and friendly towards everyone, irrespective of cultural background. I felt heart broken when a friend informed me that Jon had passed away in 2009. What a great loss! May your soul rest in perfect peace Jon! I will definitely see you again when my time comes.

LT Tebo, Christopher

I really miss you right now. I miss so much. I can't believe you are just gone...