Staff Sgt. Darren D. VanKomen
Staff Sgt. Darren D. VanKomen
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Darren D. VanKomen Obituary
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James thomas vankomen
July 23, 2025
I missyou.
Loveyou.
Brother.
Till I see you agian.rockon in heaven.
Julin Lynn
May 29, 2023
Thanking you for your service and wishing your family peace with the many happy memories you built with them. I see your name on Rich Dempsey’s arm and know you much you mean to him.
Charlie Gili
March 4, 2017
Hello,
We would like to express our deepest condolences and also let the VanKomen 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 Darren D. VanKomen US Army Staff Sergeant. 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 strong.
Sincerely,
Charlie Gili & Family
On Behalf of the US Hockey Players Support Our Troops Campaign
stephaine Vankomen
February 3, 2015
It's been 10 yrs plus a couple of months....I still miss you Darren.....I'll love you forever...
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December 22, 2012
As the day grows closer and the years go by I never stop thinking of you. Thank you for our time and I will always remember your sacrafice.
Peggy Childers
December 21, 2011
To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Darren D. Vankomen:
Please accept my remembrance of Darren on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.
Butch
June 20, 2011
you the youngest of the seven brothers and I believe the best of us. I love and miss you little brother. see you and dad soon Butch
Jeremy Scott
March 6, 2011
Thank you Darren for being such a good friend! It still seems like yesterday when I saw you last. Strange how something as small as a song, poem, picture, or even a smell can bring a flood of memories back from the past... I think of you often and pray that God blesses your family!
Peggy Childers
December 22, 2010
To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Darren D. Vankomen:
Remembering Darren on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
www.IraqWarHeroes.org
Stephaine Vankomen
December 21, 2010
I miss you and love you so much my baby Darren. It is hard to believe that it is 6 yrs today since you have been gone.....I miss every moment, every second, every day...Thank you for watching over Me, Chelsea and the rest...
Darren, Chelsea and Corey in Colorado
Stephaine Vankomen
December 21, 2010
Darren at his sister Tina's, in Idaho
Stephaine Vankomen
December 21, 2010
Darren and I, the night before deployment....2004
Stephaine Vankomen
December 21, 2010
Darren, talking to me on the phone in Iraq, as his roommate took the picture....
Stephaine Vankomen
December 21, 2010
Darren and I, leaving for the military ball Sept. 17, 2004
Stephaine Vankomen
December 21, 2010
Darren and Chelsea in August 2004
Stephaine Vankomen
December 21, 2010
the last family picture that we had made August 2004
Stephaine Vankomen
December 21, 2010
Darren in Iraq 2004
Stephaine Vankomen
December 21, 2010
Darren with Chelsea on first day of fifth grade.
Stephaine Vankomen
December 21, 2010
darrell vankomen
July 21, 2010
thinking about you little brother
March 2, 2010
Something has me thinking about you... I dont know why except I kinda feel like I am going to be seeing you really soon. If I make it to heaven where I know you are with your Dad.. I am going to find you and tell you I am sorry and thank you for all that you did for our country and your family. They all love you so much. God Bless you.. see you soon....
Donna Gillette
December 26, 2009
On this day and with each day that we enjoy our freedom, I would like to give thanks and let you know that I do not take our troops for granted. May you experience God when you feel your loss.
August 13, 2009
I met Darren back in 1986 and he was such a great guy. We spent many summers together and in 1989 he left to join the army. His military career was very important to him and I know he was doing what he loved when honored us by protecting our freedom. Its a small world, good bad or whatever it may be, Darren Dale Vankomen was a true hero and was my best freind for many years. I think about you often....
Thank you for all you did for us
Rest in Peace and I hope you are with your Dad!!
andrea vankomen
May 26, 2009
I have been thinking about Darren a lot lately. It doesn't matter how long he's been gone, my kids and I miss him. We think and talk about Darrenn all the time. Darren is missed each and every day!
bill van komen
January 13, 2009
i miss you very much, every christmas does not seem the same knowing my little brother is not here, from a family of 7 boys and 3 girls. you will be missed. as our dad would say be safe "roup"
In Memory of Darren ~ (Debra Estep)
December 28, 2008
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 Darren, 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
Peggy Childers
December 21, 2008
To the family of Staff Sgt. Darren D. VanKomen:
Darren 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
Jegar Van Komen
August 10, 2008
Thank you for your service. I'm sorry we never had a chance to met.
Bless you and your family.
May 23, 2008
You are always remembered Darren.
April 21, 2008
You are remembered and respected. Thank you Staff Sgt VanKomen!
Sgt. Gerald Biggs
November 26, 2007
It was a pleasure serving with you. My prayers are with the family. HHC 1st Corps 1999-2000.
July 31, 2007
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)
July 15, 2007
Thank you for the sacrifice made by Staff Sgt VanKomen and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!!
Garnet Jenkins
December 21, 2006
Paying tribute to Staff Sgt. Darren D. VanKomen, on the 2nd anniversary of the day, he gave his life for our Country, with a Multitude of Thanks, for his Courage, Dedication and Many Years of Service to our Country and for Freedom.
Rest In Peace Darren, in God's Loving Care and may God's and Comfort continue to be with the VanKomen family.
Those who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice, So Many and So Young, shall Never Be Forgotten, my brother among them. KIA-Vietnam 1967.
"I will lift up my eyes to the hills-
from whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth."
Psalm 121:1-2
Sincerely hoping that you continue to feel the thoughts of caring and support that surround you each day, as this Country remembers someone very precious to you, who is a Hero to all of us.
I am so deeply sorry for your loss.
ROBYN GARSIDE
October 28, 2006
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS. I HAVE JUST LEARNED OF YOUR GREAT LOSS AND WISH TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES. 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 ON FOR YOUR YOUNG ONE. I PRAY THAT PEACE WILL FIND YOU ALL SOMEDAY. STAY STRONG AND GODSPEED. SEMPER FI
A PROUD MARINE MOM
Tom Gugliuzza-Smith
March 24, 2006
My heartfelt sympathy to the VanKomen family in the loss of Darren. I did not know Darren, 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. Darren it has been 15 months since you were taken. 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~
Kenneth Lane
January 27, 2006
Darren and I met the first morning, waking up for PT at fort Jackson, S.C in Sept of 1989 we were friends from that day foward!!!! Darren was a man of his word AND Honor and he loved his wife Steph and even though he was strong on Chelsea he wanted her to be the best and expected the best from her. Darren was such a good dear FRIEND of mine that when i was invited to his home he would have a pot of coffee on for me and a cup poured as soon as I walked in, then if it was too late to go home or whatever the circmstances of me staying at his house he would always prepare me breakfast and dinner, we always got a kick out of the fact that he would not gourmet cook for just anybody, even his own family sometime but as soon as he knew I was staying for a period of time he would cook me a 5 course meal and serve it too me while relaxing as their guest. Darren was and is like a BROTHER to me and He is and will always be sadly missed and I Honor Him for everything and I know when the end comes for me I will see him in Heaven and our friendship will be even more cherishable!!! and reunited He is one man that I have been blessed by the good Lord above to have the honor of having Darren as whom I consider my BEST FRIEND!!!! YOUR FRIEND ETERNALY KEN LANE
shawnee
January 21, 2006
Thank you for your service to your country and for your sacrifice. You are truly an American hero, and will not be forgotten. May God give your family peace and understanding.
Matt Thompson
November 18, 2005
To The Family Of Staff Sgt. Darren D. VanKomen,
My condolences and thanks to Staff Sgt. Darren D. VanKomen, and his family, for the ultimate sacrifice given by this courageous young man.
I am sure Staff Sgt. VanKomen knew what was at risk, and equally sure what he was risking his life for.
Words cannot express the sorrow, appreciation and thanks I have for the courage of a man that has helped preserve this nation created and blessed by God, and he has also enriched the lives of many peoples abroad.
Many Thanks, and May God Bless You All!
Ryan Shields
November 12, 2005
I worked with Darren.... He was a fine soldier, nco, and human being... He always got us the equiptment we needed... I will miss him alot.....Take care sgt v
see you on the other side
SPC Ryan "skippy" Shields
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