Ryan D. Russell Obituary

To the family and friends of Spc. Ryan D. Russell:
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

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

Hello parents of Ryan Russell. I attended AIT with Russell from Jan 2005-May 2005. When I first heard about his death I was in Camp Buehring, Kuwait headed over to Camp Bucca, Iraq. I couldn't believe that he had passed just two weeks before. SPC Russell (your son's battle buddy in AIT) was the one who told me. Him and your son were always next to each other since they had the same last name. Anyways, Russell and I both deployed together in the 31st CSH.

He was a character! I remember while in our EMT class he'd always be talking and making jokes! Sometimes he'd get out of hand and his battle buddy Russell would quiet him down;-)He def was the class clown. It's funny, our drill sergeant was also named Russell.

I just wanted to share some memories;-)

To the family of Spc. Ryan D. Russell:
Please know that just as your loved one remains in your hearts and minds; his sacrifice, and that of your family, remains with the people he died defending. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for his bravery and selflessness, or the heartache we feel for your loss. God bless and keep you always.

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

RYAN WAS A GOOD FRIEND AND HE WILL ALWAYS BE MISSED. THE NEWS OF RYANS DEATH HIT ME LIKE A TON OF BRICKS. I CRIED FOR HOURS AND DAYS. BUT THEN I REMEMBER ALL THE GOOD TIMES THAT WE HAD WHEN WE LIVED IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD WITH HIM AND HIS BROTHER. RYAN WILL ALWAYS BE MISSED AND LOVED. ALSO ALL THE FALLEN SOLDIERS ARE MISSED AND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

To the family and friends of Spc. Ryan D. Russell:
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

Ryan,
Thinking and praying for you on the 2nd anniversary of your passing into eternal glory. May God hold you in the palm of His hand. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

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

To the family of Spc. Ryan D. Russell:
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

We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families. War does not discriminate – It breaks my heart to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,400 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,
Kenna

Father we entrust our brother Ryan to your mercy. You loved him greatly in this life: now that he is freed from all its cares, give him happiness and peace forever. Welcome him 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 Ryan in the palm of His hand. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My deepest sympathies.

Ryan, you would be proud of how strong and brave your mom is. Of course you know that! She made sure that through every hardship in your early life, you had a firm foundation of values, faith and love. She has stepped up to honor you, and make sure everyone knows the mischievious boy that you were, and the brave and dedicated military man that you grew to be. Your family and friends miss you terribly. Your memory lives forever in our hearts. Rest in peace dear soldier. Your buddies are standing watch.

You are remembered and respected. Thank you Spc Russell!

Our thoughts and prayers for your families loss.May Ryans name stamped in steel be forever clutched in the tallons,And his spirit foever soar in the skies in the symbol of our great nataion...

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

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)

Please accept our condolences for your loss. You will be in our prayers, that the Lord provide you comfort and peace in the memories of your loved one. God Bless.

God bless the family and friends of Ryan.
You will all be in our prayers.
Thank you Ryan for being such a brave hero.

(In remembrance of Cpl. Joey Cantrell 4-4-07)

We are so sorry for your loss. Ryan stands as a hero in the finest traditions of the United States Army. Freedom is not free and the cost is very high. On January 22, 2007 we lost our son-in-law in Iraq. Spec. Nicholas Brown was in 2/7 Cav and loved being a soldier. He left behind a young wife and a newborn son. Because of him I am signing all Guest Books of fallen soldiers of 1st Cavalry Division. Thank you for letting me honor him. Thank you,

To Ryan's Family:

My family adopted Ryan as our soldier through adoptaussoldier. Our latest package send on March 5th was returned to us yesterday. We never met Ryan but we are greiving your loss. I wish we could have done more for him. May God bless you and your family.

Lynda, John, Morgan, and Maddie Shuler

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. GODSPEED AND SEMPER FI.

A PROUD MARINE MOM

“Soldier”
Written to Honor the Service of Our Fallen Soldiers

Soldiers write history…they pay the price
Many miles distant, you live the life
Entered the Battle of our own free will
Out of Duty for Country, and we’d do it still

We hope and pray that all will find peace
In God, in the flag, in memories of valor
Gone now, our pride and courage you see
“An Army of One” our motto forever

Willing to risk all for love of our Brothers
We’re still Your Soldiers…and we showed the way
Our Lives too short, now pray for the others
Lived free died Heroes in lands far away

Deep within souls all cherished our Service
We’ll always have what some never know
Courage and Honor, our names forever
Lived life with purpose…just our time to go

We march in the Heavens with Honor and Glory
Missions accomplished we fought the Good Fight
Many years from now…we’ll tell the full story
Until that Day we will live in the Light

Our lives we laid down in a land far away
Still watching o’er you this night and by day
No need to talk…just know we are with you
There in your hearts and we hear what you pray

Yes we are your soldiers
Our lives we laid down
Still We guard o’er you
Still Duty bound

Entered the Battle of our own free will
Out of Duty for Country, and we’d do it still
We’ll always have what some never know
Lived life with purpose…it was our time to go

As the mother of a son (my only child) who is enlisted in the Army, I want to send my condolences.

Ryan,
You were not only my cousin, but one of my best friends, and now you are my Fallen Hero...I Love You Forever....

Lauren

My heartfelt sympathy to the Russell family in the loss of Ryan. I did not know Ryan, 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. Ryan 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~

Ryan Russell was my little brother i will always remember the fun times we spent together and i know i will see him again he was a fun loving kid we would always get into some kind of trouble but he was a very loving and caring person. i will always love him R.I.P. my little bro

To the Russell;
Our son graduated the same year as your son, but from Northern Nash. Like Ryan he joined to help others to defend this nation. Today he is Iraq and we pray for his safe return. I thank you and your entire family for the giving of your son to the service to this nation. As a veteran I know the cost of war and I pray for our Lord to comfort you all in this time of need. Be sure and know his life was not in vain, but deeply appreciated for his life giving service. THANK YOU RYAN D. RUSSELL

To the parents of ryan. i was at aft hood with ryan only for a short time, and he showed me things that no one ever could. i am deeply sorry for your loss. you are all in my prayers. god bless you and ryan.

No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.

I know that God has a plan and a purpose for everything. I'm so glad that I had the chance to grow up with Ryan. Ryan and Richard are my best friends. Ryan's life has effected me alot and Ryan has helped shap me into the man that I am becoming. I'm very proud of Ryan and everything that he became... I can only hope that one day I can become the kind of man that Ryan became.

God Bless your family and your son.

I want to first and foremost thank you for your son. I too, am a mother of a soldier...a young man who chose the military as his career. I cannot begin to understand what you are going through because my son came back from Iraq the way he left. However, as a mother, you have my undying respect for what you have given to us as a nation. My prayers will continuously be with you and your family.

May God comfort your family during this sad time. I know that all the people that knew him were so proud and loved him so much.

We have never met and may not until we all get to Heaven. Please accept my deepest sympathy for you and your family. He will always be a Hero and never forgotten. I will keep you and your family in my prayers and now he is an angel to watch over everyone left behind. The brave men and women will stand on the front line and serve in his honor.

God Bless,
Proud Aunt and Cousin of two brave soldiers (HERO"S)

Please accept our deepest sympathies on the loss of your son.
We heard about this unit due to the volunteer work our granddaughter and daughter does with the "Give To The Troops" program. We had the pleasure of meeting Barbara Whitehead. She gave us a picture of some of the unit folks. We live in Fairfax, VA and volunteer with the USO and the Care Package Program. USO care packages were sent to them and we received the most touching, heartfelt letters and emails, thanking everyone for their support. The loss of Ryan is felt by so many people, many of whom he didn't know. The people in the D.C. area, who "stuff" the care packages, really do adopt all of these young men and women in our hearts. We are all blessed by having had Ryan in our lives. He touched so many people, both here and in Iraq, with his kindness and caring nature.

Russell Family,

Please accept our sympathies on the loss of your brave and courageous son. We share your grief. We are proud parents of an Army soldier stationed in Iraq. God bless you...

The Castleberry family would like to send our condolences.Your family is in our hearts and prayers as you go through these trying times. As a military family, our hearts will be forever with you. Know that your son will be remembered everyday for the sacrifices that he made to protect our freedom and the freedom of others. May God bring you comfort and help to ease your pain.

RUSSELL FAMILY,
YOU ARE IN OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS.
YOUR SON WAS A TRUE HERO.

Hello to the Russell Family,
I would like to send my sympathy to your entire famliy for the loss of your love one.Just know that God heals all pain, it will take time, and no you will never forget him. I appreciate your son for fighting for our country. It was really brave of him, and may one day we all see in heaven. May God Bless the entire family and you will continously be in my prayers. Pslams: 121 I WIIL LIFT UP MINE EYES TO THE HILLS FROM WHENCE COMETH MY HELP MY HELP COMETH FROM THE LORD THE LORD WHICH MADE HEAVENS AND EARTH. AND JUST KNOW THAT THE LORD IS YOUR HELP!!!

My son Matthew is with the First Calvary in Iraq and Ryan was one of his friends. He said they used to watch Tarheel games together! When he told me about Ryan, my heart just broke for you. Your family has been in my prayers and will continue to be. I know Matthew will miss him and if he could, I know would send his condolences. God Bless You!

I would like to take this time to just say thanks to your brave son fighting the war on terror for our freedom. You don't know me, and we probably will never meet but this hit close to home,and I share the pain you are feeling now. Just knowing your son was serving our country I feel it's right to just say you are not alone during this time of sorrow. Just know that God is here for you. Ryan your family will miss you dearly as the days go by, and in the hearts of Americans you will be remebered as another hero. I have seen the picture on t.v. with your son standing with the Iraq children, and it shows on his face that he enjoyed doing what he was there to do, protect and for that he will be missed in those young hearts too. To the family again I know losing your son is hard, but remember our father makes no mistakes. I will leave you with this message. Weeping may endure during the night, but joy comes in the morning. Ryan now has the duties of been one of God courageous angels, and to take care of you now. May god bless you.

Dear Russell family,
All honor to your family and your son... Cpl. Russell. The cause is just and I am saddened by your loss.

Kathy and family:
My heart and prayers got out to you for the Lord to comfort you during this time with the passing of Ryan. My mind goes back to the days of when Ryan, Robert, Joshua Ezzell and my son Joseph Daughtridge used to playing together as kids at NPWC. I am deeply saddened of your loss as too my son prepares to enlist in the service. My the hand of the Lord rest upon you now and the coming days ahead.
with love...

I FEEL THE SORROW AS YOU GRIEVE THE LOSS OF YOUR SON. I WAS IN THE IRAQI WAR. I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN MANY YOUNG LIVES LOST. IT IS VERY TRAGIC. MY FEAR WAS DRIVING THE MAJOR DOWN THE ROADS WITH ROADSIDE BOMBS. THE SOUND YOU WILL NEVER FORGET. KNOWNG THAT YOUR SOLDIER HAS BEEN KILLED IS VERY HARD EVEN FOR US OVER THERE. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY.

Ryan was an amazing person and a great friend! He always knew how to make me laugh when i needed it the most. His smile and personality are unforgetable and i am still in shock over this. Ryan is my HERO and i will NEVER forget him! I will be praying for the family because i know how hard this must be for you all...cause its honestly breaking my heart and it has been since the day i found out about this tragedy. I'm gonna miss you Ryan!!!!

I would like to take this opportunity to offer my condolences to Ryan's family. His mother,Kathy his brother, Robert and sister Jennifer.I am not in the military but I have known Ryan since he was born.I remember his childhood up until the time his Dad passed away. It's no surprise to me that Ryan would give his life to save another. He was a very giving and forgiving child and apparently grew into a forgiving young man. I know how hard it will be on his siblings as the days go by. My heart goes out to his mother.He is in God's hands now and I can think of no better place than that.
With deepest and heartfelt sympathy,
Aunt Patty

It is with deep sadness that I am forced to honor the memory of another fallen Warrior. I ask the family and friends of Spc. Ryan Russell to accept the offer of my most sincere and heart felt condolences. I hope that you know that your loss is shared by a grateful American. Most of whom you have not met and in all probability will never meet. Our nation sincerely appreciates the sacrifices of your patriot.

Freedom is not free; it is paid for by our heroes!

I know the pain parents feel when they loose a child. I lost a son 19 years ago. It is a pain that defies description. It is a pain that never goes away. It is a pain that will never end. It is a pain that is all consuming. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

May God Bless and keep you today, tomorrow and forever!

Rest in Peace Brave Warrior; you did your duty with great honor and distinction.

Semper Fidelis

ryan was a friend of mine, one of the few that were true. i dont no what any of us are gonna do without him. ryan you will always be my hero.

March 6, 2007
To the Family and Friends of this Soldier:
I will stand in grief with this soldier's family to honor him. 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 guestbook for the rest of my life, but I promised Brent that neither he nor any like him would be forgotten and so I will continue until the day there is no longer the need.
We lost our son SFC Brent A. Adams on 12/1/05 and it seems like yesterday. I wish so badly there were things I could say to you right now to make the pain you are feeling go away, but I know first hand there simply are no words that will bring you the comfort and peace your heart aches for. Just know that you are not alone. My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with you all as you go through this tragedy moment by moment and as you mourn this loss.
We don't know each other, will probably never meet, but will forever be united in the loss of our Heroes. We have, unfortunately joined a group none of us wanted to join, an ever-growing group of families in this situation. May God grant you peace and strength to get through this and be able once again to smile at a memory rather than have only the tears that flow so easily now. To be so proud of your loved one and so saddened at the same time is a mix of emotions very difficult to deal with as our hearts both burst with pride and pain together.
I am sorry that I never knew your soldier personally. While they can never be replaced, neither will they ever be forgotten. You must trust that sometime, someday the loving memories you have will help to sustain you and help you go on. This courageous soldier will forever be your Angel watching over you all for the rest of your lives. It's what brings me some measure of peace and comfort and I hope it will you as well.
To his family and friends in pain, I offer this comfort: When you find yourself in that dark sorrowful place, think not only of how you will miss him, but instead recall the years, days, hours and minutes gifted to you by his presence. The one thing that cannot be taken from you is your wonderful memories that now will mean more than ever.
If you ever want to talk, I'm only an e:mail away and would love for you to tell me more about your Hero.
God Bless this soldier and family who gave all and God Bless legacy.com for setting up this site where families can so quickly share their condolences and prayers with others like themselves.
Proud Parents of SFC Brent A. Adams, KIA, 12/1/05, Ramadi, Iraq
Pam and Bill Adams, Lancaster, PA

Spc. Ryan D. Russell
you are my hero
may god keep you in his arms forever.

Please know how Deeply Sorry I am, for the loss of
this Brave Young Soldier, Spc. Ryan D. Russell,
As a parent, who has lost a daughter suddenly,
and as a sister, who has lost a brother to war,
I am aware of the deep and devastating pain
that you are experiencing.
The overwhelming heartache, seems to surface
through our shock, as the time passes.
Please hang on to your Faith and know that you will get through this.
Ever so softly and slowly, time does heal.

May Ryan Rest Safely, in the Loving Care of God
and know that he Will Never Be Forgotten.
I pray that the Peace of God will be with the Russell family.
I am the sister, of such a Young Hero, who made the Ultimate Sacrifice in Vietnam, many years ago.

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

I sincerely hope that you can feel the thoughts of caring and support that surround you today and in the days ahead, as this Country Mourns with you, for Someone Very Precious to you, Who Is A Hero to all of us.