Lance Cpl. David A. Mendez Ruiz

RIP brother

Happy Birthday brother! Your memory lives on forever

Hey brother! 19 years, I can't believe it's been so long. I appreciate the sacrifice you made for this country, your fellow Marines and your family. We can live in peace knowing there are brave men like you that exist. We will never forget you, and we will honor your memory by being great husbands, great fathers and great men.

We had a chance to get together a few months ago, and we shared some great memories and had a lot of laughs. Miss you bro.

Hey bro, I sure do miss you. I think about you all the time, and how influential you were. When anyone needed a lift of spirit, you were there with your ever present, infectious smile, which you always wore ear-to-ear. I will never forget the times on our first tour when we would get to listen to music and talk. I recently attended Elton John's farewell concert and I couldn't keep my eyes dry for most of the show because he played ALL of the songs that are embedded with timelessness in my...

17 years! But seems like just yesterday. Your memory and legacy will live on forever. RIP Brother - hold it down until the rest of us get there with you.

Happy birthday brother. I will never forget our friendship or your sacrifice to this great nation.

David,

I was thinking about you and your family today ... you intuitively knew the joy and sense of purpose that only comes through great challenge and subordination to a calling greater than self ... you knew what it meant to keep company with the finest men and women in a world under the toughest conditions ... you lived your life right and to the fullest. Happy 240th Birthday Marine! With great respect and fidelity,
17th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Micheal P. Barrett