Richard A. Soukenka, 30

Richard Soukenka was so extraordinary in so many ways. It was my honor to be one of his teachers. Yet he is the one who taught this teacher!

Sou, today marks 2 years. Thanks for your sacrifice. Thanks for your smile. You made my day better each time I saw your smile. I think of you guys often. I make it a point to tell my soldiers about you guys so they know the importance of their jobs and the sacrifices of you heros that have passed on.

-Thundercat 16

Sou,
Three years now. How things have changed in Iraq. Soon are the elections, and then the big draw-down of US forces. You are a big part of this transformation, thank you for your sacrifice!! I have told many about you and your sacrifice of three years ago, you are not forgotten. Thank you for your example. You had more troubles than most of us will ever know, but your optimism and smile stood above your troubles and you were a light to us all.
-until we meet again.

-Thundercat 16

I was in Civil Air Patrol with Sou when we were kids. Although we haven't spoken in many years, I was so sorry to read about his passing.

I know all your friends will miss you and I'll make sure my son knows about what a great guy you were and what you did for me and my family.

Sou,
4 years now. so much has happened in that time. I can't help but to think that the events happening in North Africa and the Middle East right now are directly linked to our presence in Iraq for the last decade. With the common people rising and demanding freedom from their autocratic rulers, the impact of our time and your sacrifice has grown tremendously in the last two months. Now there are many millions more that can experience our freedoms.
Sou, I miss you and enjoy telling my children about you and the others that are heros to me. Thank you for everything good you ever did!!

Thundercat 16

Sou,
5 years and not a day goes by without a thought of you. You had a special way about you, I remember our last conversation. I will not allow your memory to fade. Thank you for all you did and what you gave

Thundercat 17

I had the privilege to serve with you during that last deployment. When i think of you, this is not the first thing that comes to my head; instead I remember you most for the the way you treated me as I arrived to our unit as a young private. You were the kind of leader that looked beyond the stripes and treated others with the kindness that is not often enough seen in our line of work. I now live in California and my promise to you is that I will pay my respects to you this summer...