In Memory of Wyatt Eisenhauer  / Brooke Fry (Scholarship Recipient )
My name is Brooke Fry, a scholarship recipient of the Wyatt Eisenhauer Memorial Fund. First, I would like to express my deep, and sincere respect for Wyatt Eisenhauer, and also give my deepest sympathy to his family and loved ones. It is quite obvious that Wyatt has impacted many lives by his good nature, his great personality, his kind heart and of course his generosity. My heart and my prayers are extended to all who have suffered this great loss. I want you to know that his legacy will forever live on by your love, your memories and by keeping this website to educate all of us who were unable to make his aquaintance.
I am forever grateful to have received a scholarship from his memorial fund. I want you to know how much your decision has influenced my education, and my life. I am a single parent of an infant daughter, and I could not afford to attend SIU and finish my degree. This memorial fund gave me the opportunity to go back to school and complete my degree, in order to give myself and my daughter a brighter future. This is something that would not have been possible without the scholarship assistance.
I appreciate your generousity and kindness in making your decision. I want you to know that when I graduate I will also keep Wyatt close to my heart, and know that he contributed to my degree and my future career. Wyatt will continue to bless us all and watch over us from above- even those of us that he never knew. He will be with me for the rest of my life, and I will also keep his memory alive by continuing to tell others about his life, and how he sacrificed his life for our country.
My DEEPEST respect and appreciation,
IN LOVING MEMORY OF WYATT EISENHAUER,
Thank you,
Brooke E. Fry Close

My heart goes out to your family  / Roxane Cardelli-Pasquinelli (My brother is a Marine )
There are no words I can say to you or your family right now to ease your pain, I know because we too lost our loved one in IRAQ recently (PFC Sean T. Cardelli). Please know so many people care about you and your family and they pray for you every night. Close

An American Hero and Legend in History  / Kimberly Barsheff (passerby)



God Bless those who give "ALL".


Kimberly
www.spencer-akers.memory-of.com
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A different christmas poem  / Micah Hankla (Cousin)
  A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS POEM

   The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
   I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
   My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
   My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
   Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
   Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
   The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
   Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

   My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
   Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
   In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
   So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
   The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
   But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
   Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
   Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

   My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
   And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
   Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
   A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
   A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
   Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
   Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
   Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

   "What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
   "Come in here this moment, it's freezing out there!
   Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
   You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
   For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
   Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
   To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
   Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
   I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.
   Sleep without fear as you turn out your lights."
   "It's my duty to stand at the front of this line,
   That separates you from the darkest of times.
   No one has asked or begged or implored me,
   I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
   My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
   Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas Gram always remembered
   My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
   And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
   I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
   But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
   Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
   The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
   "I can live through the cold and the being alone,
   Away from my family, my house and my home.
   I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
   I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
   I can carry the weight of killing another,
   Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
   Who stand at the front against any and all,
   To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."
   "So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
   Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

   "But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
   "Give you some money, prepare you a feast?
   It seems all too little for all that you've done,
   For being away from your wife and your son."

   Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
   "Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
   To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
   To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
   For when we come home, either standing or dead,
   To know you remember we fought and we bled.
   Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
   That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

   WE ALL NEED TO PRAY FOR OUR
   MILITARY PERSONNEL EVERY NIGHT
   and remember them this Christmas season!

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Wyatt / Alisha Carter-Danner (friend)
I was so sorry to hear about Wyatt.  I lived in Pinckneyville a short time of my life.  Wyatt and myself were in the same 5 th grade class.  Debbie Rogers was a great person , I so glad to see her mentioned.  I moved out of the area 3 years ago . I was down for a vist and went to the Pinckneyville parade .  Someone handed me a flyer with Wyatt's picture.
I didn't know until i looked down and seen his picture.  I hadn't seen him in years but he didn't change much . I remember him as a quiet but wonderful person .  I even think we had band together .  Wyatt is a true hero. What a great man he became and Thank God for men like Wyatt! Close

visitor to website  / Sharon G. (no relation )
My husband and I happened to be in Pinckneyville tonight for the Halloween parade; our son was in one of the bands in the parade. We saw the flyer with Wyatt's picture on it and this website address. I am very sorry for your loss. The pictures of Wyatt on this website make it clear that he was loved very much and loved all of those close to him. I hope you don't mind if I keep you all in my prayers. Take care. Close

proud / Fred (father)

It occurred to me that while I am asking others to pay tribute to Wyatt that I hadn’t really done so myself: Wyatt lived life to the fullest, in just shy of 27 years he lived more than I have in 57. While I have piddled away 57 years he lived his life and became a Man. Wyatt was everything that I pretended to believe that I was; compassionate, brave, unselfish, Intelligent.

If Wyatt was what he was only partly because of me then my life has not been in vain but why oh why could he not have lived to reach his potential and to have given to the world what he could have?

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from his commander in Iraq  / Lieutenant Colonel Leopoldo A. Quintas (commander)
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
HEADQUARTERS, 2ND BATTALION, 70TH ARMOR
3RDINFANTRY DMSION (MECHANIZED)
CAMP MAHMUDIYAH(FOB ST. MICHAEL),
IRAQ APO-AE 09378

29 May2005

Dear Fred and Pamela:
     On behalf of the more than 700 Soldiers of the
Thunderbolt Task Force and their families, I would
like to express our deepest sympathy and heartfelt
regret over the loss of your son.
     Wyatt was an outstanding Soldier, a .superb
Trooper of Cavalry. He was admired and respected
by his fellow Soldiers and all of his leadership. As
you know, Wyatt possessed an internal drive to
learn all that he could, and master all things technical
around him. In the Army for such a short time, he
helped communications technicians and vehicle
mechanics with many, many years of experience
through complex repairs of his own equipment. They
grudgingly accepted his advice, and respected his
quiet competence and unassuming manner.
     Wyatt was understated in his approach, which fit
perfectly into the personality of our platoon of scouts.
Like all the troopers, Wyatt was always calm, even in
the most dangerous of circumstances. His calmness
was the result of the teamwork and confidence gained
from his mastery of skills required for this fight. He was
sure of himself in every situation, and his demeanor
was infectious. I always felt secure around Wyatt while
on patrols with him, he was a professional Soldier. You
would have been so proud to see your son serve his
country here in Iraq. We are honored to count him
among our ranks.
     Wyatt was loved by his fellow Soldiers. He
developed many deep and lasting friendships among
his teammates - his impact on them will last forever.
Young men and hardened veterans openly wept over
his death. He was one of us, and we vow to finish the
fight that he joined us in.
     No words or deeds can lessen the grief you must
be feeling over this loss. If there is anything we can do
from here or Fort Riley to help, please ask. We stand
ready to assist you in any way possible.

Sincerely,
Leopoldo A. Quintas
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army
Commanding Close

a message from a fellow soldier who was with Wyatt on his last mission  / Ryan Miller (gunner and friend )


Message from Visitor to Wyatt Eisenhauer Memorial Website

Name:  Ryan Miller
Relationship with Wyatt: gunner and friend

Content: remembrance
Hi,
       My name is Ryan and I was on the truck with
wyatt or ike as we called him. I am a recon sniper
and the potential that ike had was uncomparable to
anybody in the likeness of intelligence, skill, and
the ability to adapt to any situation presented in
front of him.
      There was a respect aspect I showed to ike that
i wouldnt even show generals. not that he would ask
for it but he deserved it. he had love for everyone and
in no predjudice. He is one of the greatest people I
have ever met. and he will be remembered forever in
my heart and his legacy will be passed on through
the hearts of children and their children.
      I have no words to comfort the lose that has fallen
upon you. But remember even though we lost him in
the physical sense he has become immortal in our
hearts, thoughts, and prayers.

  Specialist Ryan Miller Close

The Builder  / Shannon Cabrera-Austill (Paying my respects )

THE BUILDER
A builder builded a temple,
He wrought it with grace and skill;
Pillars and groins and arches
All fashioned to work his will.
Men said,  as they saw its beauty,
"It shall never know decay;
Great is thy skill, O Builder!
Thy fame shall endure for aye."

A teacher builded a temple
With loving and infinite care,
Planning each arch with patience,
Laying each stone with prayer.
None praised her unceasing efforts,
None knew of her wondrous plan,
For the temple the Teacher builded
Was unseen by the eyes of man.

Gone is the Builder's temple,
Crumpled into the dust;
Low lies each stately pillar,
Food for consuming rust.
But the temple the Teacher builded
Will last while the ages roll,
For that beautiful unseen temple
Was a child's immortal soul.


I hope you find comfort in this poem.  God bless you and your family.
(Sister of Spc. Jeff Henthorn- OIF -2/08/05)

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God Bless your family  / Bonnie (Vet)
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