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Gregory Ratzlaff Obituary

Gregory Alm Ratzlaff, 36, died in Iraq on August 3, 2004, serving as a Marine helicopter pilot.He was the son of Gary and Kathleen (Aetzel) Ratzlaff of Olympia, and the brother of Anne Anex of Renton. Greg was the oldest grandson of the late Bill and Evelyn Aetzel, also of Olympia.Born in Mt. Vernon, Washington in 1968, Greg spent his childhood in Washington and Alaska. After graduating from the University of Washington in 1990, where he was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity, he entered the military.He leaves a wife, Mary, and a two-year old son, Drew, in San Diego, California.A memorial service will be held for him on Saturday, August 14, 2004, at 2:00 p.m. at the New Tacoma Cemetery, Chambers Creek Chapel, 9221 Chambers Creek Road W, Tacoma, Washington.

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Published by The Olympian on Aug. 12, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Gregory Ratzlaff

Not sure what to say?





Christian Yorck

May 27, 2019

Lynne Neibert

April 16, 2013

Prayer Shawls 4 Fallen Soldiers ([email protected]) is an organization with groups throughout the country who work to send handmade prayer shawls and/or lap robes to families who have lost a loved one while serving our country. Members of Trindle Spring Lutheran Church would like to extend our sincere sympathy and to honor your loved one's sacrifice and memory by sending our prayers and comfort through a prayer gift which will be mailed to you. If you are interested, please contact me at [email protected] with the names and addresses of those who would like to receive one and which gift they would like to receive. We will send our gift as soon as possible. Also, if you know of any other families who are grieving the loss of a loved on who died while serving our country, please pass along my e-mail address. May God bless you and comfort you in the days ahead. Sincerely, Lynne

Peggy Childers

August 3, 2012

To the family and friends of Capt. Gregory A. Ratzlaff:
Always remembering Gregory. "Some gave all."

Peggy Childers

August 4, 2011

August 3, 2011
To the family and friends of Capt. Gregory A. Ratzlaff:
Please accept my remembrance of Gregory on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.

Pamela Wiscombe

August 21, 2010

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.

Peggy Childers

August 4, 2010

To the family and friends of Capt. Gregory A. Ratzlaff:
Remembering Gregory 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

Kenna Larra

September 16, 2009

”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to you. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Over 1,750 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!
Mothers and/or Fathers, of our heroes, please be aware that the Project Compassion sponsors will now help cover the costs of the portraits for you to have one - regardless if the spouse of the hero has one or not!
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 bless you.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Kenna
Project Compassion
P.O. Box 153
Manti, Utah 84642

Peggy Childers

August 4, 2009

To the family of Capt. Gregory A. Ratzlaff:
Gregory 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

Darrell Barker

May 24, 2009

Thank you.

R Collis

August 22, 2008

It is difficult to know what to say since I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Capt Ratzlaff. Please know that your loved one is not forgotten. I wish everyone impacted by this tragic loss strength and peace. I hope that Capt Ratzlaff knew that there are people in America who respect his great courage in serving as a member of the US military. Although I did not know him, I know that he must have been a very special person to be willing to do something that most Americans will never have to experience and for that we can never say thank you enough.
Thank you Capt Ratzlaff!

In Memory of Gregory ~ (Debra Estep)

August 3, 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 Gregory, 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

April 18, 2008

You are remembered and respected. Thank you Capt Ratzlaff!

August 10, 2007

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)

July 11, 2007

Thank you for the sacrifice made by Capt Ratzlaff and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!
Aunt of a Marine deploying soon

Laura Cameron

September 10, 2006

To the family and friends



I have only just begun this journey and may not have known your loved one personally.



I extend to you my deepest condolences. No words will ever express the grief those close to this lost treasure are feeling. I can only say that I can share this grief as I too lost a loved one July 8, 2006. I will continue to pray for the safety of our soldiers and especially the family and friends of our lost hero’s. I only hope the memories will carry us through. I will continue pray that you also will believe and know that our heavenly father will not give us more than we can handle.



As always I read (and cry) through the memorials of our lost hero’s, So many people have already expressed the things I would also say. I am amazed and take comfort that so many people care. I can only thank you for the sacrifice you and especially Gregory have made to protect our country. As others have said “I am only an email away.” I would be honored if you so choose to share about this fine hero.



Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28



Laura Cameron

(CPL Joseph P Micks KIA 7/8/2006 Ramadi, Iraq)

Garnet Jenkins

August 3, 2006

Paying tribute to this Fine Young Hero, on the anniversary of, the day he lost his life, in the service of our country, with a Multitude of Thanks.

May he rest, in the Mighty Hands of God and may God's Loving Grace and Comfort continue to be with this family.

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

My brother among them. KIA-Vietnam 1967.

Kris

October 29, 2005

After reporting for duty at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Paris Island, I was told, the day will come when you or your comrades will die in service to your country. We were made aware of this fact and incorporated it into our lives. Our fallen brothers and their families need not only sympathy but respect and to not be forgotten. I want to share the memory of my comrade in arms, Capt Ratzlaff.



Semper Fi

http://featherhailweb.tripod.com/in

dex.html

Wayne Gularte

June 26, 2005

I just happened to glance at the Memorial List on the Doonesbury Sunday Cartoon and spotted Greg's name by mere chance. I hope this is not the childhood friend I used to go swimming with at the YMCA here in Salinas many years ago. The age sounds as though it may be, though, and I know it's the correct spelling. I never did know where Greg moved to, but even if this isn't the Greg I once knew, I am very sorry to hear of Greg's passing on. I will never forget the friendship I had with him. May God bless his soul.

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