Neil Santoriello Jr.

I’m running a 100 mile race this weekend. A donations was made to Semper Fi & America’s Fund in Neil’s memory and I’ll be dedicating a mile in his honor. Just wanted you all to know that he is remembered and his sacrifice is not forgotten.

Hello,
We would like to express our deepest condolences and also let the Santoriello Family and friends know that we will be sending Care Packages to troops in Afghanistan 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 Neil Anthony Santoriello US Army 1st Lieutenant. 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

Prayer Shawls 4 Fallen Soldiers ([email protected]) is an organization with groups throughout the country who strive to send handmade prayer shawls and/ or lap robes to families who have lost a loved one in service to our country. Members of Trindle Spring Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg, PA would like to honor your son's sacrifice and memory by sending our prayers and comfort through a shawl which we will mail to you. If you are interested, please contact me at [email protected] with the names and addresses and what they would like to receive. We will send them as soon as possible. Also, if you know of any other families who are grieving the loss of a loved one who died serving our country, please pass along my e-mail address, as our organization can no longer get family contacts through the military. May God bless you and comfort you in the days ahead. Sincerely, Lynne

Thank you for your sacrifice, Neil!

I think of you often Neil....I will never forget...

Neil,
i think of you often and follow your family with the help of your mom's fb page. she is a warrior just like her son. bless you Neil and thank you for giving everything.

Neil,
It's been many years since you passed, but I think of you often. You are not forgotten. Hooah.

To the family and friends of 1st Lt. Neil Anthony Santoriello:
Please accept my remembrance of Neil on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.

Thank you so much for your service to this country. We are sad for your loss and hope you know that we will never forget you. You served in honor and in grace to protect our great country. May you find peace and comfort. Thank-you so much for my freedom.

Dear Neil,
please help welcome sgt. matthew moran and may both of you have the peace you earned.
with my love, liz tamburri

To the family and friends of 1st Lt. Neil Anthony Santoriello:
Remembering Neil 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

To the family of 1st Lt. Neil Anthony Santoriello:
Neil 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

Neil,

I think about you everyday. You were a great platoon leader, and your men (SFC Fuller, Shanks, Corning, SGT Garner, etc) would have followed you anywhere. you made 2nd Platoon, Apache Company, 1-34 AR one of the best platoons in the Task Force.

You motivated all of the other officers to be better, and all of us still talk about you, and carry your legacy forward everyday. I know I do, and I push myself, my co-workers and the soldiers I still lead as much as possible, day in and day out.

I wish your friends and family peace, especially Lisa, during this difficult time and my family and I will always keep you in our hearts and memories. APACHES! CENTURIONS!

Former PL of 2/A/1-34 AR
CPT, USAR

Hello - you and those who shared your love have not been forgotten...we prayt here is a promise before us -

To let you know that Neil will not be forgotten- I pray that those you knew and loved him can find some degree of comfort from the richness or their memories of his life.
Neil, Rest in peace. You have earned it.
Again, so very sorry for the loss.

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 Neil, 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

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 (KIA on 07/06/07) 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
Althea Barrett(Queens, NY)

Paying tribute to 1st Lt. Neil Anthony Santoriello, with a Multitude of Thanks to this fine young hero, for his service and dedication to our country and our freedom..

May he rest, in the Mighty Hands of God and know that he truly is an American hero.

May God's Loving Grace and Comfort continue to be with the Santoriello family.

Those who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice, So Many and So Young, shall NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

My brother among them. KIA-Vietnam 1967.



"The soldier, above all others, is required to perform the

highest act of religious teaching--SACRIFICE."~General Douglas MacArthur~



May the memories of your loved one live in your heart always.

To the Family of 1st Lt. Neil Anthony Santoriello:

My heart breaks again as I sign yet another guest book of another courgeous 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. We lost a son 12/1/05.

I know first hand there are no words right now that will bring you the comfort and peace you need. Just know that you are not alone. My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with you all 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. I am sorry that I never knew your soldier personally, but none of these courageous men and women will be forgotten. They will never be able to be replaced, but sometime, someday your loving memories will help to sustain you. This courageous soldier will forever now 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. 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 courageous soldier and family.

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

[email protected]

(Millersville, PA )

OUR DEEPEST THOUGHTS AND SYMPATHY ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED IN OUR DAILY PRAYERS.

My heartfelt sympathy to the Santoriello family in the loss of Neil. I did not know Neil, ( I lived in the Easton/Bangor PA area for 52 years 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. Neil you will not 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'm Sorry for your loss. Neil will be remembered. I'm James D. Smith, Father of a school mate of Neils, Miles Tamburri-Smith.

Dear Diane,Amy & Neil,

Words cannot express the sorrow I feel for your great loss. I know that Neil must have been a very wonderful, giving and most of all loving person. He was raised by such a great and caring family. I must thank you for giving our family such a wonderful HERO and I am VERY PROUD to say he was part of all of us. I know he will be watching over all he loved, because at night you can look to the skies to see how brightly HE SHINES.

You are in my thoughts and in my prayers.

Linda Mooney(Monaco)

Dear Neil, Diane, Amy and Lisa,

I am so sorry for your loss. I have only seen Neil a few times, but I felt like I have known him forever from talking to you every day about him. He was always in my prayers when he was gone. I pray every day that God will watch over you and your whole family, and that he will give you the strength you need to get through the rough times. Neil truly is a hero. My thoughts and prayers are always with you.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Santoriello and Amy Beth,

I am so sorry for your loss. As a Michigander, I have seen and spoken to many Iraqis who would be very proud of your son, as I am. It is a horrible loss for your family, and I send my deepest condolences. May you have peace in your hearts, knowing that your son is a hero. My husband and I are praying for you in your grief. God be with you.

Mrs. Robin (Jones) Ritchea

Dear Neil, Diane, and Amy:

Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss and my prayers for the support that you will need to make it through this. I've thought about you all everyday since I heard about Neil, and I keep coming back to just a few things that I would like to share with you...first, that you have such a wonderful family that you should be so very proud of and that will bring you through this and anything else that you may face in life...and that is something to be very thankful for during a tough time. Second, that I can't even imagine how proud you must be of the soldier that you called your son and how very brave he was to do what he so willingly did for all of us to live better lives...he truly is the definition of a hero. And the last thing that I can't stop thinking about is how proud Neil had to have been to be the son and brother of such a wonderful, loving, devoted family...and don't ever forget that. A soldier would never have the courage to charge selflessly into battle without the inner peace of knowing that he is loved...and that is what each of you has given to the freedom that we all live with every day. Neil will live forever through the people that he has touched and those that he has loved. May each of you find peace in the memories that you have and continue to love him as if he were here...



Sincerely,

Brian Hess

I knew Neil while I was in High School, and I can say that he was a wonderful guy. He always knew who he was and what he wanted to do. I had and have great respect for him. I'm sorry he's gone, but I feel honored to have known him.

I hurt for all of Neils loved ones.Thank you for letting us all know yet another hero ; but who was taken too soon.You now have a saint in Heaven.My love and prayers to you all and thank you to Neil so we can be safe in America.No words can help you but I do send sincere love,honor and respect to all of you.Gloria Aulicino Wineland

I just read with great sorrow of the death of your beloved son and husband Neil. As a former member of Zion Lutheran Church, I send my love and prayers and ask that God's love will strengthen and keep you at this time. I have great admiration and respect for all our sevicemen and women and give thanks each day for everyone of them, and I share in the sorrow at the loss of each life. May God comfort you now and bless you always. In His name, Colleen (Mrs.) John T.Mauro

Santoriello Family,



Our deepest condolences to you & your family. Our thoughts & prayers are with you.

Pittsburgh Firefighters' Federal Credit Union

To Ms.S and your Families,

My family and I are so very sorry for the loss of your beloved brother. Even though we never met Neil you told us alot about him in class and have mentioned him to my mom. He sounded like a really cool guy and in my book, he always will be. We send our deepest sympathys and Neil will be in our prayers.

May God Bless you and your families.

Very Truly Yours,

Tommy Pickles, Paul and Diane Miller

To the Santoriello Family,

As parents of two Eagle Scouts, our heartfelt sympathy goes out to each and everyone of you. Your son has made you proud each step of his manhood. He has taken each step with complete understanding of what an Eagle scout truly is. You are well aware that only a few make it to that position. Although we have never met, the brotherhood of Eagle Scouts and their families are bound by that knowledge of understanding the true meaning of loving your church, family and country. Your son has given the ultimate for those of us left behind. He has helped each of us to retain the freedom we all have today and the hopes of tomorrow. We shall ALWAYS remember his spirit and may the eagles soar his soul to his God and may He grant you the strength to accept His will, the love to understand, and the peace to go on.

Thank you for his courage and his unselfish love. God bless you.

The Certo Family

Dear Neil,

Although I did not know your son directly it sounded like he was a special person. My deepest condolences to you and your family. My prayers are wit you.

Debbie Davis (OOSPT)

Donna and Family

Words can never express the sorrow that your friends and family are feeling for you at this time. All that I have heard and read about Neil sounds like an amazing young man. He will surely be missed, but; he will never be forgotten he will always remain in your hearts.

With much sadness and sorrow.

Dee, Lori and Chuck DiPasquale

To 1LT Neil Santoriello's family and friends:



We have never met, but I want to express sincere sympathy on your loss, and that of our nation. I have been touched by Neil's death in three ways: as former residents of Penn Hills, we were near neighbors in days gone by; as present residents of the state of Kansas, we are now residents of the home state of Neil's unit, as reported, at nearby Fort Riley; and, Neil would have been a year ahead of our son, who would have graduated from PHHS in 1997, had we not moved. I am also moved as a retired soldier, and I wanted to honor his selflessness and his sacrifice. Thirty-five years ago, my generation hoped we would see no more battle deaths, but we were naive; thank God that young men such as your son and friend were willing to stand to be counted, for each of us. May God grant each of you his grace and peace in the days, weeks, months and years to come, and may he grant Neil eternal rest and peace.

To the family of Neil Santoriello, Jr. please know that you are in our prayers at this time of great sorrow. With our sympathy and love, Barb Liptak and Marge Costa

(Cen III Kaufmann's)

Condolences to the Neil Santoriello Family from the Veteran Fire Fighters of Pittsburgh. We wish them peace and hope in their grief.



Treasurer, VFF of PGH

Dear Diane, Neil and Amy,

There is no greater sacrifice than the one your Neil gave. Although I didn't know him, just knowing you and Amy tells me what a terrific person he was. Your written tribute to him also lets us know what a caring, giving, unselfish person he was. My strongest prayers are with you all at this time. The prayers of our church (Sandy Stewart's church) are also with you. May God comfort you and give you the strength you need.

Many hugs,

Patsy Rucker

Dear Amy and family, We are so very sorry for your great loss. Know that you are in our prayers always. Zachary wants you to know that he is sad for you Miss S. and he loves you.

The Lord will be beside you to comfort and ease the loss that you have shared.

The Eyes of The Lord are on the Righteous and His Ears are Attentive to Their Cry. Psalm 34:15

Although I did not know your beloved family member, he is a true hero for giving of himself. Heartfelt condolences to your family.

I am thankful for the fellowship and great times I have shared with Neil. He will always be a part of my life and I have become richer from knowing him. Death brings no sorrow to those who have died, but only to those of us who are left behind. As an Eagle Scout, Neil lived by the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. He was always a true gentleman; like a Son to so many of us and a big brother that all Scouts looked up to. Neil’s memory will be with us always.

Dear Neil, Diane and Amy:



May God give you strength to get through this terrible time. Rob, Deb and I all send our love and sympathy. We have not seen one another for quite some time and I had not seen Neil or Amy since they were young children but I think of you quite often and remember the wonderful friends Bob and I had. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

I wish the santoriello family peace and comfort..love cricket

Neil & Donna

Our prayers are with you and your family in your time of grief. As each day passes its a day closer to being reunited with your son. The Lord has taken Neil home as he has my son. Just look into the evening sky for the brightest star and you will know that he is watching.

With deepest sympathy,

Henry Borrasso & Maria Corrado

Dear Diane, Neil, Amy, and Lisa,

My deepest sympathy. Your beloved Neil was a true hero. It is a tragedy that he gave the ultimate sacrifice just before he was due to come home. He was a brave and honorable soldier. I thank him for protecting our Country. My prayers are with you.

May Neil rest in peace.

Love Gerry

To The Santoriello Family:

I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Amy and I played soccer together and I remember Neil coming to the games. I always remembered how close he and Amy were. He is a true hero. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless you at this most difficult time.

Neil & Diane,

Know that our prayers are with you and your family in this time of grief. Each day the pain intensifies, but as each day passes, it's a day closer to reuniting with our children. I know this, as the Lord has taken my son home too. Just look into the sky at night for the brightset star and you will know that your son is shining bright.

With sincere sympathy,

Maria Corrado & Henry Borrasso

To the family of Neil Santoriello Jr. Please accept my very deepest sympathy in your extreme loss. Your loss is the country's loss of a man as great and loved as your loved one. Please believe that as I read about him, I sat here and cried along with you. May God's love and blessings keep you safe and please know that even though I do not know you you are all in my prayers. Thank you.

Our sincere and deepest sympathy to the family of Neil Santoriello who died with honor for our country. Our blessings and prayers are with you. He certainly proved to be an honorable man, loving husband/father and friend. Sam Santoriello of Verona is our brother-in-law. We also maintain a residence in Pittsburgh, PA.

tho I did not know him, please rest assures that Americans appreciate what he has done and sacrificed, you all are in our collective prayers.

TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF NEIL,YOU HAVE MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY ON THE PASSING OF ONE OF OUR AMERICAN HERO'S. AND TO HIS WIFE WHO HE MUST OF LOVED WITH ALL HIS HEART,MAY YOUR MEMORIES OF HIM HELP YOU THROUGH THIS VERY SORROWFUL TIME IN YOUR LIFE.

GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU.

Hi Miss S. this is Micheal B. sorry for your loss. You talked about him in class and we know you truly loved and was proud of him and what he was doing. I will pray for you and your family. I will give you a hug when you get back to school. Love Michael B.

To the Santoriello Family,

You may not remember us but several years ago, our daughters played soccer for Penn Hills together. I remember Neil as a young boy back then. We are deeply saddened by your loss. Please know that you will be in our prayers that God will be with you all during this most difficult time. We would like to thank Neil for being a hero so that we may enjoy our freedom. We will be forever grateful to all the soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the country they so loved. They will still be protecting from above as it is their nature. We are proud to have been touched by such a hero even if for just a short period in our lives. God bless you all and God Bless America!



Sincerely,