Joseph Cruz Obituary

My dearest cousin Joey, I miss you today as much as I missed you then. You will forever be in my heart. Gone but not forgotten.

Love and miss you Joey fly high with the angels.

Hello,
We realize that we are very late to express our deepest condolences, but we wanted to let your family and friends know that we will be sending Care Packages to deployed troops this week and we'll be dedicating several of these to your loved one. Each package will carry the name, photo and the hometown of Joseph Cruz US Army Private 1st Class. We realize that this is a small tribute, but we do this with all respect and sincerity and we want you to know that it is made possible by thousands of like-minded individuals from across the American youth hockey community. We will not forget. May God Bless you and keep you safe and strong.

Sincerely,
Charlie Gili & Family
On Behalf of our US Hockey Players Support Our Troops Campaign

Hello my brother. missing you terribly but I'm glad I'm close by to visit you. Hugs and kisses. You are always in my prayers.

I hate today. Miss you more than I could ever say. Love you forever.

Thank you for your stories about my brother. I miss him so much and it makes me feel better hearing these wonderful stories about him. Please keep writing about him.

I was Joseph's team leader when he first showed up to Fort Bragg. He was fresh out of basic. I took him under my wing and taught him everything I knew. We spent alot of time hanging out on our off time. We had alot of fun and I have serveral story's/ memories I repeat to the day. He was a great kid and grew into a great solider. I miss him as a brother. I fight my grief , I should of been there to help my brother and possibly saved his life. I spent so much time training him and making him the solider he became, I wish I would of been there when he needed me most. I will never forgive my self for not being at his side. I do know we had a ton of fun and great memory's together, and that makes me smile. I think of him often and it hurts. I hope to see him again one day. He was a great brother and battle buddy.

Today is Memorial Day...we remember you. What you did for your country and the person you were to us. We'll remember you always.
Love you brother!

Doesn't matter how long you've been gone. It hurts the same. Wish you could see your nephews. They're funny just like you. I love and miss you. Happy Birthday Brother. xoxo

i miss you joey.i love you so much and always thinking about you.you haven't visited me lately in my dreams.

To the family and friends of Pfc. Joseph Cruz:
Please accept my remembrance of Joseph on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.

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

Thank you for all you sacraficed. May you rest in peace. God bless you and your family.

I love you Joey.

”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,450 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
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 and Respectfully,
Kenna

To the family of Pfc. Joseph Cruz:
Joseph 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

Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.


The Wind on The Downs

“I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead
You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe;
I hear you laughing as you used to do,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go.”

(Written by Marian Allen during World War l )

Two lines that I wish you to keep near your heart…….

“You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe”


I did not know Joseph, but I am remembering
his service. He 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

Joey,
It will be three years tomorrow... We all miss you. May your soul finally rest. I love you.

Jojo,
last night, I had a dream of you... I miss you.
Loving you always,
Your Sister

You are remembered and respected. Thank you Pfc Cruz!

Another birthday you didn't get to have. We'll make a cake anyway. Happy Birthday. We love you.

Missing you as always.Today and everyday until I see you again.
Love your lil sis.

Jojo, two years have past and it still feels like yesterday.I miss you so ....

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!!

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

Thank you for the sacrifice made by Pfc Cruz and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!!

Cruz buddy, I couldnt believe when I read what happened. I was in Iraq, shortly after losing Large in an IED. I wanted to be with you as soon as I read it. My father misses you, my sister, and me, as well as the whole platoon. Your a great soldier bud, and I hope you found peace and happiness. You deserve it for your soldierly effort in freeing the countries of this great world, and standing up for the freedoms of the American people.

TO A FELLOW SOLDIER, HAPPY BIRTHDAY. NO MATTER WHAT DAY IT IS JOEY, I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER A TURE SOLDIER.

I didn't have the chance to really get to know Joey.But I do know that he was a great guy.
Happy Birthday. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers.
With love Joe De Anda.

I didn't have the chance to get to know Joey all that well.I do know that he was a great guy and we all miss him.
I wish you a Happy Birthday.And you will always be in our thoughts and prayers.With Love. Joe De Anda

Today you would be 24.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROTHER.
I love you.

Today is the first anniversary of my Beloved Brother Joey. I miss you more every day. Sometimes I still think that you are still over there and will be comming home again. I remember our last conversation on the phone, you were on r&r and was getting ready to go to your cruise. You were so happy. You had such a good time. I know that you are in a better place but, I can't help for being selfish and wanted you here. I love you Joey. You will always be in my thoughts and in my heart. Please continue to watch over us. I love you and I will see you in my dreams.

Paying tribute to Pfc. Joseph Cruz on this first anniversary of the day, he lost his life while serving our Country.
A Multitude of Thanks, for his Courage, Dedication and Service.
Rest In Peace Young Hero, in God's Loving Care and may God's Healing Grace and Comfort continue to be with the Cruz family.
Those who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice, So Many and So Young, shall NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.
My brother among them. KIA-Vietnam 1967.

Quietly and gently... may healing come to you with each new day and may you find comfort in beautiful memories of the times you spent together...
I am deeply sorry for your loss.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS. I HAVE JUST LEARNED OF YOUR GREAT LOSS AND WISH TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHIES. PLEASE KNOW THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT HERE WHO DO CARE. HOLD TIGHT TO YOUR TREASURED MEMORIES THAT HIS SPECIAL SMILE MAY CONTINUE TO SHINE ON. I PRAY THAT PEACE WILL FIND YOU ALL SOMEDAY. GODSPEED AND SEMPER FI.



A PROUD MARINE MOM

Hello, my name is Cynthia,I am Joey's sister.I just ran across this site and I would lke to thank everyone who said nice things about him.If there is anyone who has stories about my brother and would like to share them, please e-mail me .Thank You ,Cynthia

My heartfelt sympathy to the Cruz family in the loss of Joseph. I did not know Joseph, 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. You are a 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~

I was TDY when we received notification of a human remains (HR)aircraft. We gathered by the plane in formation and the chaplain read out his name and how proud his parents would be of him. As they brought out his casket, the order for order arms was given and we saluted a fallen comarade for the last time.

Cruz, my brother, i will never forget all times we hd back at bragg, you always knew how to cheer me up and make me laugh. not only were you one of the best friends a guy could have but a soldier who never let you down. god bless you cruz i will never forget my brother. i will always coninu the mission for you.

To the family and friends of PFC Joseph Cruz,

I am SSG Jonathan Brooks and I worked hand and hand with Cruz for the last 12 months. Cruz was one of those soldiers and people you will never forget. Cruz could always put a smile on your face no matter what was going on.

There are no words that will be enough to comfort you for your GREAT loss. But I would still like to say that we will surely miss "Cruz". He will always be remembered. All his fellow soldiers, friends and brothers in arms will always remember him. We are all from the same Brigade, and I remeber him always smiling. He is watching over us all. God Bless. Thank You Cruz, you have given the ultimate sacrifice and it will never be in vain.

PFC. Cruz or how I remember him which was just as "Cruz" was one of my friends when he was stationed here at Fort Bragg. I met him through my brother who worked with him. Cruz was definetly not a person you could forget easily. He stayed at my house for a couple weeks and instantly became a great friend. He will always be remembered for his funny ways and for just being a great guy in general. When I looked at my pictures that he is in you could tell he was always smiling and having a good time. He made everyone around him laugh and smile! Everyone here will miss him greatly. I will keep his family and friends in my prayers. We all love you Cruz!!

May god bless you during this very diffacult time in your life. My husband served with Cruz in the 82nd airborne division 3/504th PIR. He served with him in his first deployment to Afganastain and his second in Iraq. My husband is in Iraq at this time but is very upset about this as is all the guys he served with. We just wanted to let you know what a wonderful son you had and how very sorry we are and he will be with us for many years to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with your faimly on this very diffacult time in your life. God bless you and your son for paying the ultimate sacrafice for his country which he was very proud to serve.





3/504 PIR

82nd Airborne Divison

Blue Devils

To the family and friends of PFC Cruz: May the Lord comfort you in this unthinkable time of loss. My husband served with Joseph in the 1-508th. He and the rest of our fine soldiers have been lucky to serve with such a fine young man. I will continue to pray for you each day. May time lessen the emptiness in your heart and may the memories fill your mind for a lifetime. Please know that there are many people that pray for you and your family everyday. God Bless you and your family. -Gina Rhines, 173rd wife.

May God bless you in a very special way, as He took a very special person from this world to be with Him. I thank God every day for men like your son who are willing to fight for our freedom and the freedom of oppressed nations. I know Joseph has made a difference in every life he has touched. God bless everyone in his family



Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they

protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they

perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus,

our Lord and Savior. Amen.

God Bless ( Jamie,Navy wife)