SEMPER FI LANCE CORPORAL!

Even though it has been nearly 2 years, there hasnt been a day go by i dont think about you and your sacrifice you made for all your fellow marines. You made the ultimate sacrifice jordan and you will NEVER be forgotten. RIP Jordan. Forever and always a hero!

Cpl Nick Phillips 2d AA BN A co.
Lcpl Mike Phillips 1/9

Jordan, our thoughts and prayers still reflect upon you and your sacrifice. Our family purchased a wreath in honor/memory of you and I was honored to be able to help lay the wreaths down here in Tampa, during Wreaths Across America! May we never forget what you did for us, in your short and honorable life!!

Debbie
Mom of Cpl Kevin...PI Grad 12/1/06 Alpha Co Plt 1097

I went through boot camp and SOI with Jordan and was deployed with 1/9 that fateful day 1 year, 6 months, and 19 days ago. I was humbly surprised when I watched the 2009 Marine Corps birthday ball message that it was primarily about Jordan's sacrafice and I reflected on everything that his sacrafice taught and reminded me as I sat in the memorial library in honor of Jordan and SSgt Danny Dupree. I ask everyone to remember the things that are truly important in our short stint on this planet, ignore those that are trivial, and know the difference. Let no sacrafice be forgotten and no memory dishonored. Thank you to all that support us. Semper Fidelis and happy birthday to Jordan, SSgt Dupree, all those that serve and have served, and to their families.

Respectfully,
LCpl Parker
1st Bn 9th Mar 2D Mar Div

Jordan, just watched the 2009 USMC Commandants Birthday Message Video..and again to hear your name, story and your parents as they share what you've sacrifed,WoW..what an impact you have had on the Corp and it's values.

Proud Mom of Cpl Kevin, %26 Alpha Co Plt 1097 "Honor Platoon"
Parris Island Grad 12/1/06

Bruce Cobb shared your site with me. It is very moving and I know you must be proud! As the daughter, wife and no mother of a Marine in Iraq, I am so grateful for your son's sacrifice and for yours. God Bless. Laura Lacey

Jordan, not a day goes by you're not in my thoughts..but especially today, I continue to honor you on our 2nd annual Run for the Fallen here in the Tampabay Area. You were truly special and we'll always be forever grateful for what you've given us. May you continue to be an angel to your parents and family watching over them. God Bless You!!

Mom of a Alpha Co Plt 1097 "Honor Platoon" Grad, Parris Island 12/1/09

Jordan,

From the first time I spoke to you as your Senior Drill Instructor and throughout Recruit Training I knew that you would make a great Marine and that you possessed a "never quit" mentality. This you have proven time after time through your courageous actions. Reading your citation is motivational to me as it shows that you were not an individual, however you were willing to give your life in defense our Corps, Country, and all others beyond the gate you were protecting. Trust me Warrior, I think of you daily everytime I see your picture on the mirror of my bedroom alongside of other fallen Marines I trained. You are now in a better place and living in heaven with all of those other fallen warriors that we miss soo dearly. I love you like a brother and will always remember you Jordan!! ALWAYS REMEMBER PLATOON 1097 and how you helped it to become a HONOR PLATOON!!

Semper Fidelis,

Christopher Juawan Thomas
Staff Sergeant USMC

God Bless %26 Keep You Brother Jordan. Thank you for your service, to Corps and Country and the ultimate sacrifice you made in service to your brother Marines!

Bruce "DOC" Collison
HM2/H%26S 1/9 Vietnam 1975

I am very sorry to hear of your loss, so few that do for so many.

I am praying for your family on this Memorial Day today. My brother, Lance Corporal Matt Champion, also of the 1/9, was a friend of Jordan's and has told me countless times of Jordan's impact on his life. May the presence of God surround you today with His perfect peace.

Jordan,
I still remember Boot Camp and SOI with you. We never did get the chance to know each other personally, but it still hit me hard that fateful morning. As I stood in my company's COC and heard your name. I cannot begin to describe how that affected me. I'm sure you were pleased to see that your and Cpl Yales actions had a profound effect on the area and discouraged further attacks because they realized we would not run away from the fight. You showed them that. You took them on, and though most probably think it untrue, I saw you won. I say that because you stopped them from succeeding. The toll would have been even more devastating had you and Jonathan not been the Marines you are. Thank you and Semper Fidelis.

To Jordan's family,
We will never forget and it was not in vain. He is in a better place guarding the gates to heaven where no one can hurt him. You will see him again when God is ready for you. Until then, live on honoring Jordan and Jonathan.

from your extended family

LCpl Parker
A CO 1/9

Jordan, I remember the moment – the last time I saw you on your last visit to Sag Harbor before you were deployed. You seemed very confident with just a hint of being nervous – what one would expect of a person heading out on a great new adventure. Before we parted, I remember hugging you – you felt strong, solid and invincible. I didn’t want to say goodbye. It seemed too ominous. What I wanted to say was “Just come home safe and sound.” But I lost my composure because I was too choked up – I only managed to squeeze out “Just come home.” I remember being annoyed with myself for not getting the whole thought out – as if you didn’t know how we really felt. After your loss, even though I know it is completely irrational, I sometimes think that if I had only managed to get the whole thought out, maybe the outcome would have been different.

Although not safe and sound, you did come home to us, to your beloved Sag Harbor, and we are grateful for that. And you came home to a community that was truly touched by your loss and your sacrifice. A community that rallied to support your family in grief; that shared in the pain of your loss. That the community came out was not a surprise – but the level to which they came out and the acts of kindness were astonishing – the hundreds of silent people who lined Main Street for your homecoming; the hundreds who lined up in the rain on Hampton Street to pay respects at the funeral home, and hundreds who attended the funeral at the Whaler’s Church and burial at Oakwood Cemetary, your friends, neighbors, teachers and classmates, Veterans and active duty military personnel, Police, Firemen, scout troops, grade-schoolers, Patriot Guard Riders, random strangers. It was overwhelming. And the level of support continued unabated in subsequent events like the monument and Bridge dedication, and the Navy Cross ceremony.

It is all so well deserved, though I think you would have been embarrassed by so much attention – I think with your wry sense of humor, you would have downplayed the accolades. You were after all a typical small town kid – smart, quiet and unassuming.

We (Aunt Barbara, Jessie, Max, Freddy and I) think and speak of you often, particularly when we are doing things that we know you enjoyed – visiting Sag Harbor and Oma, driving Dirt-D, eating spaetzle, boating, bicycling, motorcycling, skiing/boarding (well, maybe you didn’t enjoy skiing/boarding so much the first couple of times, but we like to think that you would have taken on that challenge again with your leaner, meaner, Marine can-do attitude and learned to enjoy it like we do).

We know better than some where you came from… the obstacles and adversity that you had to overcome to become such an extraordinary young man. And though you and I didn’t speak directly about it, I think I know some of the reasons you joined the Marines – personal and practical reasons far simpler than most would suspect. I think your decisions were exceptionally mature and right for you.

To us you were a hero long before you joined the Marines, long before you became a bona fide hero. You always made time for us. As their older cousin, you were always so patient and caring with Jessie, Max and Freddy. It was evident from an early age and we are reminded of it every time we look at all the pictures of the four of you – at the Strawberry festival, Oma’s yard and neighborhood, our house, your house, the Long Warf, Waldrenach, the Lobster Inn, Haven’s beach, so many Christmases, birthdays and family gatherings. You knew how much Jessie, Max and Freddy looked up to you, and how much they looked forward to seeing you. You in turn always looked after them like they were siblings (but without the sibling rivalry).

So to us it was no surprise that you selflessly defended your newer family, your brothers-in-arms. We would have been surprised by anything less. The way you spoke about the Marines and your Marine buddies (Jesse, Cody, Jeremy and others), they are clearly important to you, clearly a second family to you. Clearly the Marines and your Marine buddies feel the same way about you – they speak so highly of you. A number of them have thanked us personally because they attribute their survival to the actions of you and Jonathan Yale. And they keep your memory alive and stay in touch – they have not deserted you or your family…

Though it has been a year, we are still struggling with the void left by your loss. We miss you Jordan. We are very proud of you and what you accomplished in your short life. But we miss you terribly. I am choked up again now, and I don’t know how to finish this… I guess I need to focus on how many people’s lives you touched in such a positive way…

I did not know Jordan, but I feel I know him. I was in Ramadi, Iraq at the time he saved all those lives. I had arrived in Al Anbar as a Sr. Advisor for the US State Department on April 5, 2008. I was at Camp Ramadi at the time of the incident and remember well the explosion. The Camp later posted Jordan's photo. I remember saying to myself, what a fine looking Marine. General John Kelly, the Commanding General of MNF-W shared with me the details of this heroic action. The General again recounted this heorism at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball in Amman, Jordan where he was the guest speaker. He shared with all the guests Jordan's story, the bravery and unselfishness and honor. I was surprised how much the General knew about Jordan, the personal feelings and interest he displayed were very emotional, not only to me, but to all who were in attendance. Since that horrible day in April 2008, I have often thought about Jordan and his family. I pray for them and thank them for their enormous sacrfice. Today, Anbar Province is among the safest places in all of Iraq. This is the result of the committment, dedication and sacrifce that Jordan and others have displayed in helping the Iraqis. It is an honor for me to have served in Anbar Province at the same time and I grieve for this fine young Marine and his family.

Thank you and God Bless

As a former Sergeant Major in the United States Army, my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Corporal Haerter and all the honorable men and women protecting our freedom.
I will be forever greatful

I just happened to be at the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico when I came upon the Navy Cross ceremony for Jordan and Jonathan. God Bless these young heros and their families. Thank you for your service and sacrifice to our country.

MAJ Timothy Fitch
PD St. Louis County, Missouri

I just found out about Jordan through President Obama's speech. I am 18 years old and in college right now, and I could never imagine being in boot camp or in Iraq. Your son was greater than his peers; he is a hero, and was a phenomenal man at such a young age. You should feel nothing but pride for raising him, and joy in knowing that his life saved 50 others, something most of us could never hope for. His life's immense meaning far outweighs its too-short time. Jordan is Heaven where he belongs, and you will be with him again. God bless you, all Jordan's friends, all our soldiers, and Jordan.

I was an Air Support Liaison Team Leader and was on duty on 22 April 2008 when Jordan and Jonathan were killed. I will never forget that moment when I received the call for that medical evacuation. We did everything we could to get those helicopters to the site in an extremely timely manner in an effort to save those two Heroes. Those are the first two Marines that I have ever known to have lost on duty. I will forever hold those two Heroes in my heart and memory and will continue to tell their story of heroism. I recently had a Memorial tattoo with Jordan's, Jonathan's, and a Marine that enlisted through my Recruiting Station when I was on Recruiting Duty names around the rifle, Kevlar, boots, and dog tags. Their families and friends are and will always be in my wife's and my hearts and prayers.

Semper Fidelis,
Michael Lee Sgt/USMC

Having served on the Hospital Ship AH-16 Repose, 7/67-7/68 I have a keen fondness for our Marines and hospital Corpsman. I worked in surgery and feel blessed to have been able to serve and met young men such as Jordan. Thank You for serving our country, and paying the ultimate sacrifice, my prayers are with your family and friends, you will live in our hearts forever.
Semper Fi, Philip Pennisi

Any of us who have served would like to think that we are capable of such devotion to duty. Some are and some aren't and some have never been tested. Thank God for those who stand up to the test and give the "last full measure of devotion" so that we may all live free. God Bless You Marine! Semper Fi!