When they started taking heavy fire, he pushed his men into the doorway of a house and spun around to return fire, to cover his troops as they moved. That's when he was hit. He died protecting the men he led.
    — Sgt. Christopher Sanders, in an e-mail to Ayres' sister

    Sanders, the sergeant who emailed Ayres' sister, was killed three months later when an improvised bomb exploded in Sinsil, Iraq. As a teenager, Ayres served as a volunteer gardener at the Los Angeles National Cemetery in Westwood. He is now buried there.
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    Six memories of Robert "Bobby" T. Ayres III

    I miss you everyday Bob. Losing you was one of the hardest things I've ever had to go through. On this memorial day nearly two years later my memory of you is as strong as it was in high school. I'm just sorry that I never got the chance to tell you how much I love you!
    You'll always remain close in my heart!
    I love you Bob

    — Jennifer
    May 25, 2009 at 12:39 p.m.

    bobby everyday i think about the fun times at high school and i miss those days just hanging out infront of the music room. you will be very missed

    Vinnie

    — vinnie
    October 16, 2009 at 7:13 a.m.

    Robert "Bobby" I don't know you, but I chose your name, ironically my daughter attends Pepperdine-a place you will never be able to see again, although they do have that beautiful cross at the top of the mountain. It is amazing to see when you are sitting on the campus. I wanted to thank all of those who gave their lives and their service so that we can be safe and secure at home. A parent must never bury their child, you are a beautiful young man, I am so sad that your parent's will forever have a void. From the bottom of my heart and with tears in my eyes I say to you Bobby and all THANK YOU-Angels you are and will forever be.

    — St. George
    October 23, 2010 at 2:54 a.m.

    To the memorie of Bobby,Thou i never knew you......you have seemed to touch peoples lives,in the most special of ways.they will see you once again,

    — suzanne vargas-gibson
    November 13, 2010 at 5:51 p.m.

    THANK YOU!!!!!!! For your sacrifice, words do little to describe our sincere gratitude. However, There is a hope for a future where such wonderful people will not have to die in the wars of the world. ISAIAH 2:4 And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore....REV 21:3,4-"death will be no more"

    — krystal
    April 11, 2012 at 9:57 p.m.

    Robert~ We are grateful for your bravery. You wanted to protect your country and you wore your uniform so proudly. You were always such an adorable & caring boy--and full of adventure.(you and your twin brother were quite a pair!) You are missed much and honored~always in our hearts.

    — Auntie Stevie& Uncle Rodger
    July 20, 2012 at 12:39 p.m.

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    California's War Dead is the Los Angeles Times' collection of stories about the 736 California servicemembers and 490 others based in California who died during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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