Dustin R. Donica Obituary

Dear Dustin,
Happy Birthday, my sweet son....I woke up today at 7:11 on 7/11....Never forgotten, forever on my mind. Love, Your Mama

Went to visit you and Gale said a prayer. We miss you.

Thank you Dustin for your service and the sacrifice you made for all of us in this Country. You are missed greatly.

Dear Dustin, I would rather celebrate Veterans Day than endure Memorial Day. Miss you forever!
Love,
Your Mama

Thinking of you today and the sacrifice you gave for our country. Thank you, Dustin. God bless you and your family.

Dear Dustin,
Missing you on Mother's Day and everyday.
Love, Your Mama

Dear Dustin, I'll miss you forever!
Love, Your Mama

Happy Birthday, Dustin. It's hard to believe you would have been 40 years old today, even harder that we don't get to celebrate it with you Your Mama

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost 18 years. Miss you Rooney.

Always humbled by your service to keep America safe. America Land of the Free, because of the Brave!
We are forever grateful. Larry & Miriam McReynolds

Dear Dustin, not a day goes by that I don't think of you and miss you
Love, Your Mama

Dear Dustin,
Too many Easters without you. Miss you
Love,
Your Mama

Happy Valentine's Day, Dustin. Miss you
Love, Your Mama

Dear Dustin,
Miss you forever......
Love, Your Mama

Merry Christmas, Dustin....Miss you forever
Love, Your Mama

Another Birthday without you makes for a heavy heart Love, Your Mama

Dearest Dustin and Donicas, being around the many Veterans in our community, I am always reminded of the many lives lost to keep Amerca free. We are beholden to you forever. Our love, Larry and Miriam

Dear Dustin, Forever grateful for the wonderful memories you gave us but 22 years was not enough.
Love,
Your Mama

Thinking of you today. Thank you for your service and protection Dustin.

I think of Dustin this time of year as I do many of our fallen soldiers. I remember reading about Dustin after I came home from Afghanistan and back to Austin. I was born in Houston, went to UT, and joined the Army infantry - very similar to Dustin's journey to Iraq. While the media attention of his passing brought him to my attention back in the 2000s, it was the details of his story and similarities with my own that really struck me. And it just hit me what a loss of potential and what a service he provided our country, our other soldiers and team, and our Army. I was a good bit older than Dustin and was a Captain when I left the Army. I just wanted to share a note so that Dustin's family knows he touched many, even his fellow combat veterans like me that never met him but feel a connection- I wear a black bracelet to honor Dustin and keep him present in our thoughts so that he and his sacrifice are not forgotten. He did the hardest service there is for our country - infantry in combat. Years ago I used to share his website with friends and family this time of year but it is no longer on the internet- regardless, I think of him and tell others about him for Memorial Day. Best to Dustin's mom and family here- Tropic Lightning!

Dear Dustin,
My first born.......Thinking of you on Mother's Day and everyday. Forever in my heart never forgotten.
Love,
Your Mama

Dear Dustin,
February 14, 2023
Love,
Your Mama

Dear Dustin,
"I have not heard your voice in many years, but my heart has conversations with you every day." Author unknown
Miss you...
Love, Your Mama

Dear Dustin, Merry Christmas, sweetie. So sorry you never got to meet E & E. They would have loved their Uncle Dustin....miss you
Love,
Your mama

Dear Dustin,
Always thankful for the time we shared but it wasn't long enough. Miss you lots
Love,
Your Mama

Dear Dustin,
July 11, 1984.....still one of the happiest days of my life. Happy Birthday, Dustin.
Love,
Your mama

Dustin,
Always on my mind, forever in my heart
Love, your mama

Dustin, you are missed but never forgotten

Dear Dustin,
Missing you so very much
Mom

Dear Dustin,
Thank you for 22 wonderful Mother's Days...wish we could have had many more
Love,
Your Mama

Dear Dustin,
Missing you this Easter and every single day. Holidays aren't the same without you
Love,
Your Mama

Dear Dustin,
Today, tomorrow, and forever....Forever in my heart, always on my mind
Love,
Your mama

Dear Dustin,
Thankful for every day we had you in our lives.
Twenty two years was not enough
Love,
Your mama

Thank you for serving The Land of the Free because of the BRAVE! GOD bless America. Purple Heart well deserved.

Happy Birthday, Dustin
Love,
Your Mama

Dear Dustin,
Home of the free because of the brave.
Missing you today and always.
Love,
Your mama

It's Memorial Day 2021, and my first thoughts go to Dustin's bravery and the price he paid for my freedom and for all in the US. My love and prayers go to the Donica family, especially on this day, but on all days. Dustin's heroism and his life will never be forgotten. Sincerely, An appreciative American and friend.

Your always on our minds. We find comfort in knowing you are alive in your final resting place. Our love, Larry and Miriam and family

Thinking of you today and your awesome energy. Thank you for your sacrifice, bravery and kindness. You always had a smile on your face & just a positive energy/light about you. You were a true hero.

Dear Dustin, another Easter without you makes my heart sad
Love,
Your Mama

Dear Dustin,
Happy Valentine's Day. Forever in my heart, always on my mindis
Love, Your Mama

Dear Dustin, I ran into Lis and Jim Olsen today at the cemetery. They arrived just as I was leaving, twenty seconds later and I would have missed seeing them. They brought you flowers....we shared many tears, hugs and memories. You are so loved
Forever in my heart,
Your mama

Dear Dustin,
Always wishing you were still here with us! Merry Christmas 2020.
Love,
Your mama

Dear Dustin,
We celebrated 22 birthdays with you and 14 birthdays without you...miss you everyday. Wish you were here! Love you lots
Love,
Your mama

Dear Dustin...as the song says I Wish You Were Here. You should be. ❤

Dear Judy, praying for you, DRD and Courtney plus, giving our never ending Thanks for Dustin's unfailing service for all our Freedoms so much taken for granted. Such cherished memories. Our Love and Prayers Always, Larry and Miriam

Dear Dustin,m
Memorial Day 2020, for some families every day is Memorial Day. Miss you so much!
Love,
Your mama

Happy Mother's Day to my first born. Wish you were here to celebrate with me. Missing you today and every day.
Love,
Your mama

Dear Dustin, you filled our lives with love and laughter for 22 years. I needed more......Miss you and love you forever. Love, Your Mama

Dear Dustin, missing you today and always. Christmas will never be the same. Love, your mama

Dear Dustin, Always thankful for the time we had you in our lives but 22 years wasn't enough. Love and miss you forever. Love, Mom

Dear Dustin, so very thankful for the time we had you in our lives but it wasn't long enough. Miss you forever! Love, Mom

Dear Dustin,
Veterans Day 2019. Missing you today and every day.
Love, Mom

Dear Dustin, Happy birthday! 35 years ago today was one of the best days of my life. Now we have memories instead of celebrations. ..so thankful for wonderful memories of you. Love, Mom

Dear Dustin, Missing you this Memorial Day weekend and every day of the year. Always loved and never forgotten. Love, your mama

Dear Dustin,
You and your family will always be in my heart. You will never be forgotten ❤ You are a true hero and patriot.

Sending heart hugs...
Karen Tiede

Dear Dustin,
Another year,
Another tear,
Wish you were here...
Love you and miss you forever!
Love,
Your mama

Dear Dustin, Merry Christmas, always in my heart, forever on my mind. Love, Mom

Dear Dustin, Thanksgiving 2018....So thankful for having had you in our lives. Forever in our hearts. Love, Mom

Happy Birthday, Dustin. Wishing you a happy birthday. Wishing you could be here to blow out the candles on your birthday cake...Miss you forever. Love, Mom

Dear Dustin, Wishing you a Happy Birthday. Wishing you were here to blow out the candles on your birthday cake...... Miss you forever, Love, Mom

Dear Dustin, Memorial Day 2018.Thinking of you today and every day. Love Mom

Dear Dustin,
Holidays aren't the same without you...Happy Easter my precious son. Miss you forever.
Love,
Mom

Dear Dustin, Eleven years ago today started out like a normal day. A knock on the door turned it into a nightmare. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you and miss you dearly. I couldn't have asked for a better son

Dear Dustin,
Happy Thanksgiving....Thankful to have had you in our lives, wishing it had been for much longer. Forever loved and remembered.
Love, Mom

Happy Birthday Dustin...you will never be forgotten

Happy Birthday, Dustin. Here's a picture of your birthday balloon release. Never forgotten. Love, Mom

Dear Dustin, Home of the free because of the brave. Miss you so much.
Love, Mom

Dear Dustin, You were my first Happy Mother's Day....Miss you so very much.
Love,
Mom

Dear Dustin, Happy Easter my precious son. Missing you so much!!!!!
Love,
Mom

Dear Dustin,

Though we never met I feel like somehow we knew each other. Thank you for watching over Jon so that he could return home safely. You are my hero and I will never forget you and what you sacrificed for the betterment of our country. God bless you and continue to watch over your mom, dad, and sister. You must be so proud of them and their continued support of the military. I never got to hug you so I am sending a heart hug. I wish you a Happy New Year up in heaven ❤

Karen Tiede

Dear Dustin,
Another year,
Another tear,
Wish you were here.
Twenty two years with you wasn't enough,
Ten years without you is far too long....
Love you and miss your forever.
Your mama

Dear Dustin,
Thirty two years ago today was one of the happiest days of my life. Happy Birthday, Dustin.
Love, Mom

Dear Dustin,
Never Forget....
Love,
Mom

Dear Dustin,
Missing you.....
Love,
Mom

Dear Dustin,
Forever in my heart.
Love,
Mom

Dear Dustin, Missing you at Christmas and everyday.
Love,
Mom

Dear Dustin,
Thankful for wonderful memories of you.....I'll miss you every day of my life.
Love, Mom

Halloween 2015, miss you forever....
Love,
Mom

Dear Dustin, Happy Birthday, sweetie. Love you and miss you forever.
Love,
Mom

Dustin...to your family, friends and all Americans you will always be soooooooooo much more than just a name on a wall. Rest in peace soldier.

Dear Dustin,
Never Forget....
Love,
Mom

Dustin,

You are truly an American hero ! Thank you for keeping us free.

Dear Dustin, I think of you and miss you every day.....Love, Mom
Memorial Day, 2015

Happy Valentine's Day, Sweetie. Miss You forever!!!
Love,
Mom

Dustin...rest in peace, knowing that one glorious day you will see your loved ones again...and thank you once again for sacrificing your life for so many!

Dear Dustin,
Eight years...sometimes it feels like yesterday, sometimes it feels like forever. When I am missing your laugh, your smile, the sound of your voice...it seems like forever. When my heart is hurting, it feels like it was just yesterday...Love you and miss you forever. Love, Mom

Dear Dustin, Thanksgiving 2014, thankful for having you in my life, wishing it could have been for many more years. Miss you forever.
Love,
Mom

The Donica Family,

I first met Dustin in phase 2 of the Special Forces Qualification course. He came across as a quite and reserved man that, like the rest of us, was trying to come to terms with what we had all gotten ourselves involved with. The instructors were driving us hard to the point of breaking and getting more and more takers everyday. At some point I remember Dustin saying that he wanted to bow out and go to a line unit to get to the fight quicker. I had just come from a combat deployment with the 501st PIR out of Fort Richardson and remember vividly my conversations with him on sticking with the training and seeing it through. His desire to get to the battle field outweighed his desire to continue with the daily punishment we were receiving. I have no doubts that your son had what it took to be in the Special Forces, but also understand that he, like all of us, wanted to make a difference. Dustin made a lasting impression on my life and exemplified the very meaning of selfless service. In a time where the world seems to be consumed with anarchy and chaos, men like Dustin are the light of hope to the many people trying to combat it. My heart goes out to you and your family for your loss.

Dear Dustin,
Happy 30th Birthday, my precious son. Love and miss you forever.
Love,
Mom

Dustin,

After all of these years, I miss your friendship. Your life and courage is permanently imprinted into my memory and heart.

Thank you Dustin.

Dustin,

Thank you for what you gave for our country; rest in peace soldier.

Roger

Dear Dustin,
On this rainy Memorial Day 2014, missing you forever....
Love,
Mom