Ryan D. Walker Obituary

I met Ryan while I was in Iraq. I was with 2/77FA. We were the replacement unit. He taught me so much in just the little time I met him. He taught me compassion. It is something I carry with me everyday.

This lit candle is symbolic of the memory and honor we have for Ryan Walker that we recall on the 8th anniversary of his passing. He has not been forgotten.

I am sorry... Thisis a picture of me on my first, and Ryan's last mission... I am haunted everyday and try to heal from the pain of someone I only met once...

To the family and friends of Spc. Ryan D. Walker:
It has truly been my honor to sign Ryan's guest book these past few years. Unfortunately, due to complications from my Multiple Sclerosis, this may be the last message I'm able to write. Please forgive me and know that Ryan will always be remembered in my home.
With love and respect ~ Peggy

January 5, 2012
To the family and friends of Spc. Ryan D. Walker:
Always remembering Ryan. "Some gave all."

We wish to Thank You Spc. Ryan Walker and you Family for your Service and Sacrifice for our Country and Freedoms. Thank You and May God Bless you all.

Remembering your family this Memorial Day and Ryan's service and ultimate sacrifice for our country.

To the Family of the best medic I have ever met. I send to you my greatest respect. Ryan was a true friend. He is loved by some and Respected by all and forgotten by none.

To the family and friends of Spc. Ryan D. Walker:
Please accept my remembrance of Ryan on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten in my home.
Peggy Childers
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

To the family and friends of Spc. Ryan D. Walker:
Remembering Ryan 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

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 Ryan, but I am remembering
his service and sacrifice. 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

To the family of Spc. Ryan D. Walker:
Ryan 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

You are remembered and respected. Thank you Spc Walker!

Ryan,
As I sit here in Iraq again, I think of you. For it is soldiers like you; who gave their all for his fellow commrades that I can press on. From basic, to AIT, we were like brothers. You always had a good view on life and that goofy smile on your face. I miss you and know I'll see ya one day in Heaven.
Your Brother In Arms,
Sgt Roy "Doc" Walters

Our continued thoughts and prayers out to the WALKER family.Knowing now what they have always known is one of many reasons that our HERO[ES] shall NEVER be forgotten.Rest well brother as prommissed that star spangled banner shall FOREVER wave.Your name stamped in sreel is FOREVER clutched in the tallons,as your spirit FOREVER soars high in the skies in the symbol of our great nation.THANK..YOU..HO..YAAH..B.V.C.

Ryan,
So many things I wish I could have said, so many things I wish I could have taken back. You were such a good person, someone I wish I had gotten closer too instead of pushing away. You were too good for this to happen to. Every day I think about you & how unfair this all was, any time I feel sorry for myself I think about you & your family & what they will always be going through. I know you are looking down on us & I cant wait to someday see you again. Dont ever stop smiling becuz just thinking of you makes me smile. So many memories!

If this person can stand in battle to ensure my freedom, then I will stand in grief with his/her family to honor him/her. For every fallen HERO there is a bright star that shines in the evening sky to remind us of the cherished gift we were given – even if for too short a time.
My heart breaks again as I sign yet another guest book of another courageous young soldier who gave their life so selflessly. I wish I never found myself in a position to have to sign another guest book for the rest of my life, but I promised LE RON A. WILSON (a dear friend KIA 7/6/07, 18yrs old) that neither he nor any like him would be forgotten and so I will continue until the day there is no longer the need.

PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER
Althea Barrett(Queens, NY)

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

Ryan was a very good friend of mine and it has taken me this long just to be able to write in this. Ryan was the hardest worker that i ever knew. I was with him the day that he died. I still have dreams about Ryan. Sometimes i still feel like he is still here with us. I would like to tell his parents that they should be very proud of Ryan. I am truly sorry that they lost a great son like Ryan. But always remember he is gone but never forgotten. He lives on in my heart and soul and i hope he does the same in yours. I always looked at Ryan as a brother. He is missed very very much. Again i would like to tell his parents that i am sorry. And if there is anything that i can do for them to let me know.

I did not Know Ryan, but my fiancee was stationed in Iraq with him. He too was killed on dec 8th, 2005. I know what you are going through.

Some gave all. Thank you for our freedom, Soldier.

I am Deeply Saddened to learn of the loss of Spc. Ryan D. Walker, one year ago today.
The price this Fine Young Hero and his family have paid for this country and for freedom, Will Never Be Forgotten.
May Ryan rest safely in the Loving Care of God and may the Peace of the Lord be with the Walker family.
There will never be enough ways to humbly thank these heroes for their Supreme Sacrifice, my brother among them. KIA~Vietnam, 1967.

"Cast thy burden upon the Lord,
and He shall sustain thee."
~ Psalm 55:22 ~

May the Peace of God and your memories of Ryan,
remain in your heart always.
May this give you comfort and strength through the difficult days.
You are in my thoughts and prayers and I am deeply sorry for your loss.

I did not know Ryan well but I did know him well enough to know that he was a pleasure to work with. He always had a smile on his face and a pleasant and uplifting attitude. He was a good man and a great soldier. I am proud to have served with him and he will be deeply missed.

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 AND YOUR HERO WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. HOLD TIGHT TO YOUR TREASURED MEMORIES THAT HIS SPECIAL SMILE MAY CONTINUE TO SHINE. I PRAY THAT PEACE WILL FIND YOU ALL SOMEDAY. STAY STRONG AND GODSPEED. SEMPER FI



A MARINE MOM

I served with Ryan untill the end. He was a great soldier and a better medic than any of us. Everyone should know, he was killed saving the lives of his fellow soldiers, and in doing so creating an undying legacy that will live on in our hearts forever. We, the fellow medics and brothers in arms of SPC Walker, will always remember him and take heart from the memory of a truly great man. He has changed our lives for the better forever. Here's to a good man, a great soldier, an excellent combat medic, and a hero among men. We will never forget...

My heartfelt sympathy to the Walker family in the loss of Ryan. I did not know Ryan, but my heart is broken and I am sadden for your loss of such a fine young man 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.

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~

My deepest sympathy and prayers for SPC Ryan's family. I did not know him, but the poem author, Laurel Olmsted, is a friend of mine and she brings these people to life with her words. I just wanted to thank you for being so brave in your loss.

Ryan Walker, It is very hard to believe he's gone. I never new him personally but in a way, I did. The way his brother talked about him made him an inspiration to me as I am sure it did to him. God give peace to the family and friend of this good man and valient soldier who will not go unmissed.

Dear Soldier,



You and I had never met

Until the day we said good-bye.

Rain and tears running down my cheek.

Words stuck in my throat; unable to speak.



Your face had become familiar.

I had seen it in the news.

"Local Solider Killed Today in the War."

Another fallen hero like others before.



You didn't ask to be special,

Didn't ask that you die.

Just knew there was something you needed to do

And serving your country was the best place for you.



Thank you dear Soldier,

From this mother's heart.

I will be there to shake your hand when my days are done.

Rest now dear Soldier for your battles' won.



© Laurel A. Olmsted

1/18/06

We care and share your sorrows.

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



Army combat medics know when they raise their hand to the square that they may be called upon to do just that, to give their live trying to save the lives of those around them. Ryan didn't have to go on the convoy that day, he volunteered to go, knowing full well that on every convoy there is a chance at least one Soldier may never return.



Ryan had a mom, dad, brother and girlfriend waiting stateside for his return just 4 days later. But he never came home. Many tears have fallen on his behalf and many prayers said in behalf of those left behind. Some of us never knew Ryan personally, but through his friends and family we have been touched by his compassion, love of life and patriotism to his country.



No soul on this earth is ever here by accident and no one ever dies without leaving his mark on the world in one way shape or form. Ryan Walker left a legacy of faith, strength, love and hope. His death is a tragety, but in his death we can all learn about what love really is - giving all you have, even your very life, for those around you. Your fellow battle buddies, your unit and your country.



The best tribute we can leave for Ryan is to support those left behind. The thousands of Soldiers still over in Iraq and thousands more getting ready to ship out. Ryan loved serving his country, he loved helping those around him and would want all of use to continue supporting the troops, continue helping those in need and making our tribute to him one of actions, not just words.



Ryan, we will all miss you, but you will never be forgotten, you can never be forgotten because your legacy is just beginning.

Psalm 23



1

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

3

He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

6

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.



This is a verse that I have found to be comforting to me during my husbands death. Remember that when it seems that no one else is round, God is still there with you! And he will be your rock!



My daughter,McKaLyne, and I send our heartfelt sympathy for your loss! God Bless this warrior, God Bless those whom serve freedom's cause! They are our true HERO's!!!!



If you need anything, please feel free to contact me!!!



Wife & Daughter of the Late

Sgt. Audrey Daron Lunsford

KIA May 23, 2005

I can't believe Ryan Doran Walker is gone!



We were in the same Health class at Chemeketa and became roommates our second year at Chemeketa. We had a lot of fun times hanging out until I left for the service. He was a great guy and as his father said in an interview: "He had no enemies!"



I'm happy I was able to talk to him one last time before his unfortunate departure.



I'll always remember all the fun times we had hanging out while going to school.



Jeff Hartung, SGT, US Army, 2001-2005

Another fallen HERO who gave his life for his country. God Bless HIM! Having just lost our precious son I know there are now words right now - I am having trouble finding them myself. Just know you are not alone in your sorrow and that my heart, thoughts and prayers are with you. May God grant you peace and strength to get through this and to the place where the memories will once again bring a smile rather than the tears that flow so freely now. God Bless this young man and his family. He will NOT be forgotten. I will remember each and every courageous young man and woman who has died for us all and pray for an end to this war so our remaining soldiers can return home safely and soundly to their anxious and awaiting families.

God Bless you all.

Pam Adams (SFC Brent Adams, KIA 12/1/05)