MISSING YOU - 3 YEARS  / Mom
Here we are, another year gone.  I'm not going to say I miss you, that's a given.  I'm not going to say I'm thinking of you, that's every minute of every day.  We're going to be gone again on that day, but I take you with me.  If I stayed here, I would not leave the cemetary, so I go.  It seems like yesterday, but I know it's because of this day, this week.  I really am better.  I love you and always will.  MOM Close

Never Forget!  / Misty(sister Cpl. Rusty Washam)
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Gone But Not Forgotten  / Misty (sister of Fallen Marine Cpl. Rusty Washam )

The Fallen
Written by Andrea Senter

They never thought when they left here
their families they'd see no more
No one dares to think about
The high price of such a war.

If you asked them why they did it
They'd say because it was right
Someone has to stand up
And someone has to fight

A world away they defend our cause,
as we tuck our kids in bed.
Some give all for all of us,
And somewhere tears will be shed.

They do not ask for fame or fortune
Just that we recognize
We are here, free, today,
Because the fallen have paid the price.


I am so sorry for you loss. I lost my brother Marine Cpl. Rusty Washam February 14, 2006 in Iraq by a suicide bomber he was only 21. People keep saying it will get easier as time goes by its been alittle over a year since we lost Rusty and it still feels like yesterday. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. May God Bless you and help heal your Broken Hearts from this huge loss.
My brother has a site to it is rusty-washam.memory-of.com

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My Hero  / Cindy Cloud (Friend)

It is coming upon 1 year since losing you; my memories of you have not lessened.

• Your good and kind heart;
• Your love for your Wife, Sons, Parents and Grandparents;
• Your loyalty to your friends;
• Your ornery smile and the twinkle in your eyes;
• Your humor;
• You inability to keep anything from your Mother;
• Your ability to spray Dr. Pepper over everything;
• Your aim with a BB gun;
• Your laughter in the middle of the night when you were trying to be quiet;
• Your protective nature and willingness to stand up for someone you thought 
  was being bullied;
• Your patriotism and love of your country;

My love for you will never fade, nor will my pride of the boy you were and the man you became. I miss you and will never forget the sacrifice you made. You will always be my Hero!

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ALWAYS IN MY HEART.  / DERICK YOUNG (SGT OF MARINES )
SGT. GRAHAM WAS A TRUE HERO. SERVING WITH HIM WAS AN HONOR. I WAS BLESSED TO HAVE HIM AS ONE OF MY VEHICLE COMANDERS. HE WAS TRUELY A MARINES MARINE. TRUE TO HIMSELF, HIS FAMILY, AND TO THE MARINES HE LED. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM AND HIS IMPACT ON MY LIFE. GOD BLESS THE GRAHAM FAMILY AND SEMPER FI!!!!

                                                                                              SGT. D.A. YOUNG
                                                                                                APL    KABAR 4 Close

Thanks again  / Scott Stanton (Friend)
J, 

We're still thinking about you, Melissa and the boys. Thank you again for your honor and courage.

Thank you for living out your dreams so we can stay home and live out ours.

Give my baby girl a kiss for me, if you don't mind.

Sincerest regards,
Scott, April, Hailey & Brady Stanton
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. / Justin Sines (MAP 9 )
I had the honor to serve in Iraq with Sgt Graham.  August 1st will forever be embedded in my mind.  My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and children.  Close

Memories/Heart Ache  / Kristi Allen (Spencer's Wife )
We, were in Adoption Class this past Saturday. Spencer & I were working on a project it was a blank piece of paper with a stick figure we had post it notes & the trainer asked us questions & we put the answer on the post it note then put it on our stick figure in relation to the importance of the answer how close that was to our heart. We,each had our own person in the class. It was interesting to see how different the same things & people were on our stick figures in relation to the location of our hearts. One of the questions was name the 1 friend that means the most to you,Rather you still even talk to them the 1 friend that you love. And Spencer simply put "J" on his post it note & he put it right on his heart on the stick figure. "J" went right on his heart. When I looked over & saw that. I teared up so bad & so fast. I had to recover quickly so that no one noticed not even Spencer. Then I just prayed to myself & felt alot of anger of the whys ? That I will never know or understand. We,hadn't said anything about J in weeks at one point a few months ago Spencer made himself numb to it. Then here we are in this class full of strangers and boom everything flooded back. That is the way it has to be for J's Family. 
It hasn't even been a year the shock that I felt that day at 5:01p when my Mother N Law called me. The heartache I felt picking Spencer up from work,what I had to tell him. J will never ever be forgotten. In our hearts it's just like we haven't seen him for a while. But, we will again someday. Close

Sgt of Marines  / 1stSgt Gary Ochoa (Marine 1stSgt )

Those of us who have had the privilege of knowing Sgt Graham will never forget the fire in his eyes and the love for his men. 

We as Marines value our experience with one another as a "band of brothers", especially amongst the most daunting of missions. The fellowship, danger, and shared hardships bring Marines even closer, in a bond of comradeship. Sgt Graham was proud of the Marine Corps and believed in our mission.  His loyalty to his family, Corps, and Country will always epitomize our motto "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful). 

It was also a pleasure to meet such a wonderful family in this time of loss.  To Melissa, Katrina, Randy, and the kids:  If you need anything at any time please don't hesitate to call. 

With respect and admiration for "J" and his family,
1stSgt "Gary" Ochoa

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J we'll always miss and love you!  / Tammy Keeter (sister-in-law)
Me and the boys will always miss you and love you.  You've been missed every minute of every day. Close

Poem for J  / Patty Kirkpatrick (Melissa's Aunt )

I SHALL NEVER FORGET YOU SPECIAL ONE
OR ALL THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN AND DONE
TOOK ON A WIFE AND HAD SONS AT A YOUNG AGE
WENT OFF TO WAR WITH SO MUCH COURAGE
I AM PROUD TO HAVE MET YOU IN MY LIFE
SO GLAD YOU MADE MELISSA YOUR WIFE
I KNOW YOU ARE UP IN HEAVEN WITH OUR LOVING LORD
HE HAS GIVEN YOU YOUR BLESSED REWARD
HE WILL WATCH OVER ALL THOSE YOU LOVE
KEEP THEM SAFE TIL THEY JOIN YOU UP ABOVE.

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You'll be missed  / Mark Casebolt (Cousin)
I never took the chance to know you well, but from all I can tell, your grew up to be a fine man.

You'll be missed. Close