Ivan E. Merlo, 19

Army, Private 1st Class

Based: Ft. Campbell, Ky.

2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Died: January 8, 2008

Samarra, Iraq

Married

Gender: Male

Hometown: San Marcos

High School: San Marcos High (San Marcos)

Burial: Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego

Merlo had planned to serve as best man at the wedding of his best friend, Phillip J. Pannier of Washburn, Ill. The two were killed in same firefight north of Baghdad two weeks before they were sceduled to come home, the San Diego Union- reported.

David J. Hart, 01/08/2008

James K. Healy, 01/07/2008

16 memories of Ivan E. Merlo

“

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

” — Felicia Harrison, May 28, 2008 at 7:36 a.m.

“

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.

” — albert navarrete, July 30, 2009 at 3:22 a.m.

“

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"

” — Luis Bravo, February 22, 2010 at 1:47 p.m.

“

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

” — Sara Teresa L, January 29, 2012 at 6:36 p.m.

“

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.

” — E. Abernathy, October 10, 2012 at 3:20 p.m.

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Ivan E. Merlo, 19

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16 memories of Ivan E. Merlo

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