Your tributes to fallen soldiers

Leon Gifford James II

My father's name is Leon Gifford James II. He was a LTC. in the U.S. Army. He was born on December 11th, 1958 in Rome, Georgia. Daddy was a boyscout and is the youngest boy ever in Massachusettes history to earn his Eagle Scout patch. His unbelievable love, dedication, spirit, intelligence, strength, and generosity mixed together with his smile and bright blue eyes make him the perfect father, husband, soldier, and friend. That's probably the thing that I will remember most about him, not only a father but my best friend. We could sit in the same room, not speak a word and understand what the other was feeling and thinking. I do not want people to remember him by how he was injured in Iraq and died two weeks later. I just wish the American people would realise it's more than just a war in Iraq, it's also a struggle in soldiers homes. --Anonymous , Murray, KY (submitted on May 5, 2007)

Anthony A. Kaiser

SPC Anthony A. Kaiser was born on December 13, 1979 and graduated from Narrowsburg Central School in upstate New York in 1998. He attended a local college and recieved an assoicate degree in Criminal Justice. He then became a New York State Trooper and volunteered with the Narrowsburg Fire Department. Still wanting to serve the people of our country he entered the U.S. Army in 2005 and in November 2006 he was deployed to Iraq. Anthony set many goals for himself to develop his mililtary proficiency. We suffered a devastating loss when he was killed on March 17, 2007 after an attack in which he killed five insurgents at a checkpoint in Baghdad. He died a hero doing all he could do to keep his country free. Anthony was an honest and loving individual. He was described by many as a "quiet professional". Most of all he was a wonderful son, brother, husband, and friend. We will miss him greatly! We love you, Anthony. Heaven was needing a hero and that hero was you. --Andrew Kaiser, Narrowsburg, NY (submitted on April 29, 2007)

Charles Robert Lamb

Charles Robert Lamb, 1/12/81 - 9/5/2004 He was just one of those guys that could always make you laugh. He was very dedicated to his wife, family, and friends. --Jamie Hays, Casey, IL (submitted on April 26, 2007)

Karina S. Lau

Hello my name is Martha Rivera. I lost my baby sister Karina S. Lau on November 2nd 2003 in Fallujah. The chinook helicopter she was on was shot down. She was on her way to Qatar for 4 days for some r and r. She loved to sing and she played over 10 instruments. She also loved theather. She was in a couple of plays in high school. She got accepted to the University of the Pacific in Stockton California but she gave up her 4 year scholarship and decided to join the Army. She was only 20 years old when she died. She would have been 21 on January 2 2004. She was always determined to do good in anything she did. She left 5 nephew and 1 niece that will never get to hear her sing again of just be their aunt. A day doesn't go by that we don't think of what she would be doing by now or just miss her voice. Life will never be the same for our family we have learned to live with our lost. Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts. Sincerely Martha Rivera --Martha Rivera, Delhi, CO (submitted on May 10, 2007)

Timothy J. Lauer

CPL. Timothy J. Lauer DOB:9/30/81 KIA:10/14/06 Bagdad, Iraq. He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Brigade combat team, 4th Infantry Division,Later reflagged as C.CO- Team Carnivore. He was a driver for the executive officers tank .based out of Ft. Hood , TX. US Army. He was born to Debra Lauer/ Dye and Vincent J. Lauer lll. Brothers Jonathan Michael and Christopher Lee Lauer.He was a 2000 graduate of Cochranton High School, Cochranton,Pa.He also attened the local Vo-Tech for welding. He married Valerie Kline 12/31/04.He was a wonderful father children include daughters Stephanie, Carrie, Jane and son Jordan. He enjoyed Texas Holdem, bowling,fishing, and playing his bass guitar. Family and friends ment everything to him. He was loving, kind, honest,and thoughtful always putting everyone before himself. He was the type of person you wanted to be like most. He was always there for everyone if he knew you or not. He is Always and Forever Our Hero --Valerie Lauer, Meadville, PA (submitted on May 13, 2007)

Terry M. Lisk

SGT Terry M. Lisk 3/26/80-6/26/06. Terry was a very private family man, he was loyal and respected as a young man. He believed in what he was doing and was a great friend to his buddy's in the field. His family still misses him everyday and believe with all our hearts that he is a HERO and we are very proud of him. He was the best son a mother would have wanted he always made me so very proud. I love him so very much. --Florence [Lorrie] Fleming, Gretna, VA (submitted on April 28, 2007)

Jason A. Lucas

CPL. Jason A. Lucas born 11/01/81 was killed in Kandahar Afganistan 10/13/06. Jason was part of the 10th Mountain Division. Jason was always full of life, always had a smile on his face, and loved his 2 little boys more than anything. It is so hard knowing everyday that I will never hear from my son again, never hear his laugh,never hear him say I love you mom. But I know that we will be together again in Heaven! --Anonymous , Columbus, OH (submitted on April 28, 2007)

Jeffrey Allen Lucas

Jeffrey Allen Lucas. Electronics Technician First Class, U.S. Navy (SEAL). Born 17th September,1971, killed in action June 28,2005 in Afghanistan. While on a mission to rescue 4 Navy SEALS who were surrounded and under intense enemy fire, members of the Army Special Forces, SEAL Delivery Team One, and SEAL Team 10's task was to remove the trapped SEALS from danger. An enemy RPG struck the rescue helicopter killing all 16 on board. Three SEALs on the ground died and one SEAL, was wounded and was rescued. To Jeff, this mission was a success, although it cost him his life, it saved the life of a brother SEAL. Ever since the 4th Grade Jeff believed he would become a SEAL, because they were the best. To his credit and memory he achieved this goal graduating from Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL class 191 in January 1994. The news of Jeff;s death struck hard in the small communities of Corbett and Aims, Oregon where he went to school and lived until graduation from High School. I knew him since he was a child, growing up to be a marksman by shooting mice with a BB gun. Practicing RECON by sneeking into Trout Creek Bible Camp, and making away with some campers candy. Dedication, determination, a sense of humor, that we all enjoyed and miss. He loved Golf, but I was told he was the worst golfer there ever was, but that was his game. With 10 years as a Navy SEAL, Jeff left this world to be with the Almighty, who needed a good man, husband, father, son and grandson. --Anonymous , Mosier, OR (submitted on May 14, 2007)

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