Ashley Sietsema Obituary

I was one of the Air Force Security Forces that found the accident immediately after it happened. I want to extend my condolences to the family. Specialist Sietsema died while transporting an ill patient to another hospital in the area. Her death was quick and painless. I remember her every year and her service to our country. To the family, you can be proud of Specialist Sietsema. Much love and hugs to you.

Spc. Ashley Sietsema, It was an honor to stand for you the day you were laid to rest.

With all my heart I wished it could have been under different circumstances. I am thinking of you and your family today. Thank you does not seem to be enough to offer in return for your service to our country.
We will Never Forget.
Thank you

To Ashley's family and friends and families of the 708th: Memorial weekend is almost here again and I want to make sure that we are remembering Ashley and her hugs and her smiles and her determination and her love.

To the family and friends of Spc. Ashley Sietsema:
Remembering Ashley on the anniversary of her passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

To the Sietsema family:
May the comfort from family and friends continue to strengthen you, and may you find comfort in the words found in the Holy Scriptures: "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away."

Thank you and rest in peace.

they shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. at the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them. legion member,( branch 15) my daughter is with with the lorne scots 557 b-coy

Was an a tragic event. But Ashley and your family will be in a part of the greatest moments in our lifes, and us your family in Mexico, are very proud of she and will always remenber.

Ashley
event though shes gone i
still remember her always and
forever and even though we never
really talked it was still tragic
to see someone i knew since i was little go

We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families at this time. This is a Nonprofit Organization to honor are Soldiers!
FREE OIL ON CANVAS PAINTING OF THIS HERO. COMPLETE FORM AT WWW.HEROPAINTINGS.COM
Please contact us! Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com. If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely,
Kenna

I knew Ashley, she was the sweetest person ever. We were best friends in High School and always planned to remain friends forever. I remember when you and Max met funniest thing ever, he was the one after you but you finally made the right choice and settled down with a good guy. I still remember the last day I saw you before you left. We sat together at the basketball court talking about our futures. I'll always remember you Ashley. You and Max are always in my prayers. God Bless you, I miss you!

Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.


I did not know Ashley, but I am remembering
her service and sacrifice. She is my hero. !

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Other Side

i'm over on the other side
where life and death softly divide.
left my skin and bones behind
now i'm over on the other side.

can you feel me there with you?
my breath is gone but i'm not through.
loved you then and i still do
from over on the other side.

i can fly. really fly.
below the earth ... all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

it's good here on the other side.
the sweetest songs...the bluest skies.
thank you for the tears you cried
but it's good here on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth...all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side

the world is smaller than a needle's eye.
where life and death softly divide.
when you leave your skin and bones behind
i'll be waiting on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth ... all through the sky.
go tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

Song lyrics by Don Conoscenti
C Desert Muse/SESAC
www.donconoscenti.com
(Used with permission)

“I hope it brings great comfort to any and all.
Peace on you. DonCon” 4-2008


The Other Side –
(To hear the song)
http://tinyurl.com/3o8gol



Sincerely,

Deb Estep ~ Ohio
Proud Air Force Mom SSgt Vince – Lackland AFB
Proud Air Force MIL SrA Dana – Randolph AFB

Remembering The Fallen – Blog
http://tinyurl.com/3z8p55

Angel and soldier drawing I have shared here.
http://tinyurl.com/6gey8b

To the family of Spc. Ashley Sietsema:
Ashley gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Dear family of Spc. Ashley Sietsema,

We want to say thank you. We understand that no words can be adequate for your sorrow. We certainly do not want to intrude upon your privacy. As Americans we want you to know that we deeply appreciate the ultimate sacrifice your loved one has made for all of us. We also would like for you to be aware that with this letter comes our special concern and prayers for you. We are all safer because young men and women who love their country, and know the value of a free nation, are willing to put themselves in harms way, and lay down their lives to keep this nation free and safe for all of us.
Your sacrifice is also very great. We know that we can give little comfort; however, the knowledge that your loved one did not die in vain, but died in the service of our country, gives each of us a noble example of the value of life, and the responsibility of freedom. We hope this will bring pride and comfort to you.
We at Gethsemane Church believe that there is purpose to life. We send this letter with our deepest appreciation for the greatest of sacrifices, you and your loved one have given to this country. We know it is not enough, but please allow us to assure you that your loved one is not forgotten.


Very Sincerely

Frank G. Noyes
Frank G. Noyes (Pastor)


Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
(Jn. 15:13)

Thank you for the sacrifice made by Spc Sietsema and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses her! May God bless all of you!!

You are remembered and respected. Thank you Spc Sietsema!

Hello, My name is Emily and I'm the mother of a fallen soldier by the name of Pvt. Isaac T. Cortes KIA on Nov 27, 2007 in Iraq. My condolences to you and your family for your lost. I wanted to share with you about a wall in Chicago where they are adding the names of fallen soldiers who have died in the war. I will be heading to Chicago next week for the reading of names and Ashley will be one of the names I will have the honor of reading. Peace be with you and God Bless..

Thoughts and prayers go out to Ashley's family this memorial weekend. We will never forget this Hero!!!

To the family of Spc. Ashley Sietsema,

I did not have the pleasure of meeting Ashley but, I want you to know that her sacrifice was not in vein. America will never forget her.

I just want to say thank you for your service and that a greatful nation will never forget you for your steadfast courage and sacrifice. May your family find strength that you are now looking down from heaven.

May god continue to bless you and your family. Rest in peace and thank you for your service.

Thank you for your sacrifice for your country. That seems so small and insignificant, but it is not!

God Bless You! My prayers are with your family and friends.

God Bless!

Ashley, we miss you. The whole company does. We think about you alot and try to go on about our day, but there is an emptiness that is felt among us all. We remember you every day, but we know you are finally home just waiting patiently and watching over everyone. I was supposed to go home that same morning and I was okay, but when I got the call, I was scared. I prayed on my way to the meeting hoping every one was safe, but I only received the worst news of my life. I didn't want to go home to my own family because I wanted to be close and pay my final respects to you. I have never lost anyone so close to me in my own 20 years of life. It's so hard to wake up every morning and pass by your room and remember that you won't stick your head out to see who's walking by and talking. You were and remain an amazing person. Everyone knows you did not die in vain. You died with HONOR, serving our country, doing what you did best. You are our HERO. HOOAH! R.I.P
To Ashley's family.
I am proud to have served with Ashley. Thank you for allowing us the honor to meet her and God Bless you!

sorry to hear about he death.

I have also just read of Ashley's death in the Guardian, the newspaper of the Il. National Guard. I am so sorry. I extend my sincerest condolences. I will keep you, her family & friends, in my prayers. In other units, across the state/s upon hearing the news, her fellow soldiers join you in mourning.

My thoughts and prays to Ashley and her loved ones. After reading about her, I can feel the special woman she was.You must be very proud of her. God Bless all of you.

My prayers go out to the family in their time of sorrow.

R.I.P. Ashley.

I extend my heartfelt condolensces to your family for your loss. I lost my brother in Baghdad on 07/17/2006 and left me tell you that you will never get over it, but you will get through it. What helps the most is when you begin to see the legacy they left behind, how many lives they touched and will continue to touch even after their untimely passing. You will feel her presence with you always. I know I feel my brother with me. Talk about her and think of her often. Don't drown yourself in the memory of her death. Surround yourself with the memory of her life and feel honored that God allowed you to be blessed with her presence while she was here. That's how you will get through it. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Jessica A Pugh-Mathew
Proud Little Sister of a Fallen Soldier
Staff Sgt. Kenneth I Pugh
3/11/1967 - 7/17/2006
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Baghdad, Iraq

I just want to send my condolences to the family I am deeply sorry for your lost. I Knew Ashley As Ashley Ceron I didn't even realise she was married until after I heard she was deployed. I found out we had lost a soldier and I didn't even realize it was her until her cousin who is also in the unit informed me. Of the Lost Ashley was a great person very giving and always had a smile. Again I send my deepest condolences and remind you to keep your heads up in this hard time. And to say God bless you and may Ashley rest in paradise.
Tim 108th Medical Battalion

Rest in peace sweet angel.
Thank you for your dedication and service to our country.

My deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers go out to your family and friends

We care and share your sorrow and pride.

My heartfelt sympathy to the Sietsema family in the loss of Ashley. I did not know Ashley, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine young person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. My heart was touched by the many wonderful/beautiful things written about you. Ashley you are my hero and you will NEVER be forgotten.
I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.
Love and Peace
Tom

"To live in the hearts
of those you leave behind
is never to die"
~Robert Orr~

Father we entrust our sister Alisha to your mercy. You loved her greatly in this life: now that she is freed from all its cares, give her happiness and peace forever. Welcome her now into paradise where there will be no more sorrow, no more weeping or pain, but only peace and joy with Jesus your Son, and the Holy Spirit forever and ever.
May God hold Ashley in the palm of His hand. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My deepest sympathy.

Father we entrust our sister Alisha to your mercy. You loved her greatly in this life: now that she is freed from all its cares, give her happiness and peace forever. Welcome her now into paradise where there will be no more sorrow, no more weeping or pain, but only peace and joy with Jesus your Son, and the Holy Spirit forever and ever.
May God hold Ashley in the palm of His hand. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My deepest sympathy.

I can't even find the words...I lost my 19 year old son--5 Sept 2007, Balad, Iraq. I am absolutely devastated and I know that you are too...but find comfort in the fact that we will see our loved ones, our heroes again. Do I wish that I could trade places with my son? ABSOLUTELY not. He is in the arms of our Lord--"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" ~Rev 21:4
What a wonderful thought...
May God bless SPC Ashley Sietsema, God bless you and your family and God bless America!

Contact me if you want to talk.

PROUD Mother of
Specialist Dane R. Balcon
KIA, 5 September 2007
Balad, Iraq

Our thoughts and prayers out to the SIETSEMA family,Knowing now what they have always known is one of many reasons that our HEROES shall NEVER be forgotten,Rest well sister for that star spangled banner will FOREVER wave,Your name stamped in steel shall FOREVER be clutched in the tallons,And your spirit shall FOREVER soar high in the skies in the symbol of our great nation! THANK YOU..COME by NORTH--COME by SOUTH--COME by EAST--COME by WEST, We were all gathered and united on that great day as strangers,And upon those last [4] spoken words we are FOREVER SISTERS/BROTHERS...HOO YAAH.....SEMPER FI .........B.V.C.

Boy Scout Troop 33 of DeKalb wishes to extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Ashley Sietsema. It was our Scout troop that manned the flag line outside the funeral home and cemetery. Our boys felt honored to be involved in Ashley's memorial service.

We honor the spirit of Ashley, a bright and beautiful person who dedicated herself to caring for others while serving her nation. She is a fallen hero. We pay tribute to her memory. May you find solace in knowing that your loss is shared by so many.

Please let me know if there is anything more we can do. We stand ready to serve.

Though I did not know Ashley personally, she will always be a hero to me. Nothing I can say will take away the pain that you feel right now. Please accept my sincerest condolences and know that my thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.


Sincerely,
Jeri Herrera
Proud sister of SFC Rocky H. Herrera
KIA 8/28/07 Jaji, Afghanistan

As i type and type, no words are the right words. She is someone who i admire because she had the courage to do something that most of us won't. She went after her dreams and at such at young age she was begining to live her life and start a family of her own. The best memory i have of her was everytime i would go to her house she would be sooo happpy and i remember thinking whats wrong with her?! and she would hug me and then start pinching my cheeks and sayign they were chubby. =] i miss that the most. When we were little i also remember she was in summer school and everyday her grandma would take us to the park to go swimming so we waited for her to come home and we would go. We weren't allowed to bring food in the pool so her grandma (my aunt) would sneak us sandwiches through the whole of the fence so we could eat. Those were the good ol' days. we were so young and anythign we did was fun. Camping with Ashley was a whole different story. tahnks to her i learned to swim.She was like an older sister to me because even though i was her aunt she was older than me so i was able to go to her and tell about my problems and situations i was in. The last time i spoke to her i told her i missed her and couldnt wait for her to come back so we could catch up and we can be together once again. Sadly im not gonna be able to get that in person but i know that i will carry her with me in my heart and she is watching down on all of us. I will miss her terribly and its truly a trajic loss to have had, but she won't be forgotten. I miss you Ashley and i love you.

I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to you and your families/friends. I was returning from Ft Campbell from the Memorial service of my daughter 2LT Tracy Alger when I noticed flags at half staff in Ill. It saddened me that another soldier had to die. What a hero your daughter was and how brave. Again I am very sorry for the great loss.

I regret that I did not know Spc. Ashley Sietsema. I do wish to extend my heart felt sympathies and sincere prayers to Ashley's friends and family. I grieve with them and I honor Ashley for fighting for freedom and doing it with bravery and sacrifice. God bless you Ashley. Rest in peace, now.

My sympathy goes out to her family and the 708th. A great peron was lost and she will be missed. Though I only trained with her for a short time, I could thatshe was part of a special group. I would like to thank her and the GA company for serving. God Bless, my family's prayers are with you all.

My prayers and thoughts are with you.
I know how you feel losing a "HERO",Becoming a "Gold Star" Mother myself on 25 March.. The sacrafice our sons and daughters are making on a daily basis should tell us all..These young HEROS knew full well what they were doing and did it proudly When you hug your loved ones tonight.... Remember... We also hugged ours and they were protecting you..We.. as Americans need to make the "Ultimate Sacrafice" by supporting all our military(HEROS)...the Proud Mom of SGT. Jason W. Swiger
5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne,Fort Bragg, N.C. KIA 3/25/007

I am writing to offer my deepest sympathies to you and your family over the loss of your HERO Spc Ashley Sietsema. I lost my son in Iraq on May 6/2007, so I can well understand your pain of losing a loved one so dear.

I pray you will be guided by a higher power to give you peace, comfort and strength in this time.

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit
GOD Bless you and your family. Your soldier was a true American Hero and we are all very proud of her service. She will not be forgotten!

(Proud mother of Sgt Joel W. Lewis, 5/20, 3-2 SBCT /Ft Lewis-KIA 5/ 6/07, Baqubah, Iraq)

Thank You!!!

Rest in peace.

As the mother of a son who is deployed, I want to send my condolences. Please know that there are many, many people who grieve with you.

With the deepest regret, I have just learned of the death of Specialist Sietsema. As a Vietnam Veteran and the State Chaplain of the Georgia Society, Sons Of The American Revolution, I speak for our President, Charlie A. Newcomer, III and the more than 1,400 SAR members around the State of Georgia in humbly expressing the condolences of a grateful Society. Wrapped in the integrity of service to our nation and the inestimable values of duty, honor and country, your American hero stood on a wall of freedom for us all. This precious life, lived and lost in love of America, epitomized every attribute of patriotism the Sons Of The American Revolution hold dear. And, as Americans, we could never repay the debt we owe ..!! Nor the debt we owe you… the family of one of America's best ...!!!

Rest in Peace.


.

REST IN PEACE SPC. SIETSEMA, TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS MAY THE MEMORIES OF THIS WONDERFUL SOLDIERS LIFE FILL YOUR HEARTS WITH BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES
GOD BLESS YOU

There is nothing that I can say or do to take away the pain or bring you peace in your time of sorrow, but I will offer you and your family my heart felt condolences. I also offer you my prayers that in time the pain will easy and the memories of your HERO will carry you through each day and night. I want to thank your HERO, for his/her selfless act of becoming a member of the armed forces, his/her willingness to defend the United States of America, all that we hold sacred and for the sacrifice that will forever be etched in the memories of all those who knew him/her. Though tears can never bring him/her back, we hope that our tears express our gratitude for the sacrifice that he/she made and our sorrow at his/her passing. I believe for every fallen HERO there is a star shining brightly up above to remind us of the precious gift we were given.

Your mission on earth is complete and you are now a member of GOD’s Heavenly armed forces. Stand down brave warrior and take your rightful place in Heaven with all the HEROES who have passed before.

I made a special promise to LE RON A. WILSON, a dear family friend who joined the Army with three other friends, one of whom is my son (Le Ron was killed in action on 07/06/07 at the age of 18) on the day he was laid to rest as I touched his coffin, that I would never forget him nor would I forget those that gave their lives for our country before him, with him and after him and so when I came across www.legacy.com, I thought what a great way to keep my promise to Le Ron, so I will continue to leave tributes in each guest book until the day there is no longer the need to leave these tributes to a FALLEN HERO.

REST IN PEACE, HERO, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!

I would also like to tell you about a website, http://groups.msn.com/SSPSoldierPor
traits/homepage,
where some wonderful people will make wood portraits of your fallen Hero for free for the immediate family. I became aware of this site when I wanted to do something special for Le Ron’s mother.

PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER
Currently stationed in Germany
Althea Barrett (Queens, NY)

Please accept my Deepest and Most Heartfelt Sympathy regarding the Devastating loss of Spc. Ashley Sietsema, with So Much Gratitude for your loved one's Courage, Dedication and Service to our Country and for Freedom.

May Ashley rest safely now, in God's Care and may the Peace of the God be with the Sietsema family.
There will Never Be Enough Ways, to Humbly Thank these Young Heroes, for their Sacrifices, my 19 year young, brother among them. Killed in action in Vietnam in 1967.

"And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes,
there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying,
there shall be no more pain.
For the former things have have passed away."
~ Revelations 21:4 ~

May you find peace in knowing the love and memories you have, will remain in your heart forever and that this Country Will Remember Ashley's Sacrifice.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.