Stryker Brigade News

To the family, friends and fellow soldiers working along side SGT Robert Ayres lll; may God give you strength thru these upcoming difficult days, until you meet your loved one again. SGT Ayres lll, your unselfish desire to keep complete strangers safe will never be forgotten. Stand down and rest in peace young Hero, you are now in God's Army serving along side many other Heros.
Sincere gratitude,
Linda
Joe's Stryker Mom
WIA 1/31/05

My prayers are with the family and friends of Sgt Robert Ayres III. He will be missed by greatly missed by those who loved him and the brothers who fought beside him. He is a hero among heroes and made the greatest sacrifce one can make for his country.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Sgt. Robert Ayres III. I feel for your loss and want you to know he will never be forgotten. He will always be a hero.
Love
Audra Fedde
Sister-in-law of Sgt. Andrew Higgins, KIA 6-5-07

To the Family and Loved Ones of Sgt. Robert Ayres:
"I pray that our Heavenly father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom."...Abraham Lincoln. Our family extends our deepest sympathy in the tragic loss of your loved one. Our son, Dan, served with Sgt. Ayres this past 1 1/2 years. We will remember your Hero forever, and your family in our prayers. With deep sadness, George Bennett, 3/2SCR dad.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sgt. Robert Ayres III's family. Our son, Chris Sanders, roomed with him on their first tour in 2004 and spoke often of your son. Chris and Dara called Bob a part of their family, as their children Alec and Jacque loved him. He was a wonderful and generous man. Our grandson loved the Spiderman Bob bought him for his birthday right before they deployed. Our hearts have been heavy since hearing of the loss of your dear son. He will always be remembered in our family. When our son, Chris, told stories he never referred to Bob as just "Ayres" it was always preceded as "my buddy Ayres". Our son will miss his buddy dearly as he finishes his tour in Baghdad. With much thoughts and prayers for an American Hero and his family. Kelly and Marie Sanders

My deepest sympathy to the Family and fellow Soldiers of Sgt Ayres. My Grandson is in this unit and I know this loss is felt by all of them. You are all in my heart and my prayers.
He was an American Hero and we thank you for his sacrifice on behalf of all of us. Freedom is not Free! God Speed to all of you.
Granny of a Stryker Soldier

Roberts father, his two brothers, two sisters and I are all greatful for your kind words. We're so proud of our son for serving his country and dying for freedom. Nothing would make him more proud than to have such brave comrades call him a hero. Any time a soldier is tired of this war and lonely for your family, please stop for just one minute and think of our son. The thought will give you the courage and peace to carry on as it's giving us the courage to carry on. Robert is not just one soldier anymore. He is every soldier.

I want to offer my utmost condolences to Robert's family. I was Rob's first Squad Leader when he reported to Fort Lewis and Deuce Four. He demonstrated the promise of an outstanding Soldier. This brings back memories of the "Punisher Platoon." Rob, you will be greatly missed.

SFC Schmidt
Deuce Four for Life

May God bless this family now and always.
Former Stryker Mom,
Ellen

I am grateful for having had the opportunity to work with and know Robert "bob" Ayres during the time we spent together in the Deuce Four. He will be missed greatly....

robertayresmom, We would love the opportunity to attend the services for him. If you could either post on here or email any information about the services when they are planned, it would be greatly appreciated.

Noah Frederito
noahf@cityofwestsacramento.org

I am so sorry for your loss
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit
GOD Bless you and your family. Your son was a true American Hero and we are all very proud of his service.

Gale Poindexter
( Proud mother of Sgt Joel W. Lewis, ACo. 5/20, 3-2 SBCT -KIA May 6/07, Baqubah, Iraq )

Rest in peace "Hero", Thank you for your service and sacrifice for this nation and the people of Iraq. May rest now in the presence of God. Our thoughts and prayers with the family, friends and fellows soldiers, we pray for strengh and comfort in this days of sorrow and emptiness. God bless you all!

Edgardo, Spc Cruz dad's. A Co. 5/20 3/2 SBCT.

Strykers family

Again, our hearts break with the news that another of our HEROS has gone to join God's Army. My son served with SGT Ayres in Deuce Four and remembers him well. We will keep this HERO and his family and loved ones, as well as his fellow soldiers in our hearts and prayers. We beg God to bear this family up in His Hands and carry them gently through this Valley of Death. Grant them the courage and strength to travel this most difficult path. Grant his fellow soldiers the grace and perserverance to see this mission through, in the name of all of their HEROS. SGT Robert Ayers, keep your soldiers in your grace and guide them from above. May the Army in Heaven assist the soldiers on earth in completing this mission so that they may all return home. God bless and keep all who knew this soldier.

I would like to share my condolences and appreciation to Sgt. Ayres' family and friends! Sgt. Ayres is a Hero and deserves the Respect and Honor of a Hero! May the days ahead get easier for you knowing that Sgt. Ayres stood for something and protected our Freedom! He is a HERO in my eyes and I appreciate his ultimate sacrifice. "We Will Never Forget!"

If there is anything I can ever do for you and your family please don't hesitate to ask!

Tom "Taz" Hoffmann
Deputy Director Help on the HomeFront

www.patriotguard.org

Proud Father of
SPC Matthew T. Hoffmann, H-Co., 3rd Brigade, 2nd Stryker Calvary Regiment, Baghdad, Iraq

SPC Sidney Hoffmann, Army National Guard, Reserves, 75th Troop Command, HHD 206th Chemical Support Battalion; Richmond, KY

Lost, Lest I go my uncaring way
Help me to remember
That Somewhere out there
A Man Died for me Today.
So Long as there be War
I must ask and answer,
"Am I Worth Dying For?"

My brother in Arms rest in peace. Bob was more then a fellow soldier, he was also my friend. My heart goes out to Bobs family. The whole platoon misses you. 1st PLT A CO 1-24 INF -PAINE

I know Robert Ayres as my Bobby. I fell in love with him while he was stationed at Ft. Lewis and had the honor and privilege of loving the finest man that I've ever known. We had planned to marry upon the completion of his deployment. I will always treasure every moment with him.
To all of his fellow soldiers: he loved you all and held you in the greatest esteem. I had the privilege to meet many of you during my two visits to Vilseck while Bobby was stationed there. Thank you for your continued service.
To his family, I had so looked forward to finally meeting you in person. Bobby loved all of you and couldn't wait to get home to be with all of us again. If possible, it would mean the world to me to attend his service. I don't have proper contact information for you, but I'm willing to fly out anytime.
Thank you to everybody who had kind words to say about this amazing man. All who knew him are better for the experience.

Walk in Light,
Kathleen

Kathleen,

My Brother was a strong and brave man. I will forever be proud. It is Dorothy Robert's sister please email me d.ayes@yahoo.com. We have wanted to talk to you.

My thoughts and prayers are with Sgt. Robert Ayres III's family. He was my son's friend and will be missed . My heart goes out to the family and friends of this young man, We are very proud for what he has sacrifice for us. TJM

I knew Sergeant Ayres as a gentle and loving young man with great promise and a heart full of adventure. He made me laugh. He made someone I love happier than she was before she found him. He called me Sir when he stepped into my living room. My last memory of him is an evening when he and his girlfriend and Lily and I had coffee in downtown Seattle and he and I shared a laugh because, though both of us were smart, we had a hard time keeping up with the two outsized IQs we were dating. We knew he was going to Germany, and then to Iraq. And he was so, so young.

But I learned from him. And when we saw him it made us happy.

Godspeed, Bobby.

SGT Ayres, may you rest in peace. To those left behind: I am so sorry for your loss. Many prayers are with you, and SGT Ayres will never be forgotten.

Kathleen, Sweetie, I don't know if my last message posted. If it didn't, I'll repost it. In the meanwhile my email address is redhead575@aol.com Please send your phone number. Roberts dad and I would love to have you here. You've been on my heart since I heard the news about Robert and I've been looking for you.

Hey Bob, it's Sanders man. I'll never forget a buddy like you. You were the only friend I had in the unit for the longest time. I wish we never had to go through this man. I wish we would of gone out one last time and drank one last beer. I will always regret not being there to do anything I could have for you out there that day. You know and I know that I would have taken that bullet for you and I know you would have done the same for me. I remember that night we stayed up until 4 AM in the barracks before our first deployment. We got real drunk and ended up singing "Touch Of Grey" at the top of our lungs until Staff Duty came by and told us to go to bed. Well its the truth man. We sang "I will get by. I will survive." You are eternal man. Rest easy man and watch over the rest of us. Love you man. Sanders

SGT. ROBERT THOMAS AYRES III, AMERICAN HERO, OUR PRECIOUS SON WILL BE LAID TO REST AT 1300 HOURS THIS WEDNESDAY IN LOS ANGELES AT THE VETERANS CEMETERY ON SEPULVEDA BLVD. ALL THOSE WHO WISH TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS AND SUPPORT THE TROOPS OUR SON FOUGHT ALONGSIDE ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE SERVICE. SGT. AYRES FATHER, HIS BROTHERS, SISTERS AND I WILL BE IN LOS ANGELES AT LEAST A DAY BEFORE AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO MEET WITH ANY OF ROBERTS FRIENDS. PLEASE EMAIL US redhead575@aol.com

You were a good friend Robert. Rip

Please accept my sympathy and know that I will pray for all the soldiers who serve with my brother in Iraq. I will never forget the sacrifice that SGT Ayres has made.

(former soldier 2/22INF 10th Mountain Div)

Sgt. Robert Ayres III Memorial Service was yesterday at Camp San Luis Obispo. Our family would like to thank everyone for their support during this difficult time. Your words and prayers helped to bring peace and comfort to our hearts.
To the brave men my son stands watch with in Iraq: Keep Robert in your hearts. Let him lend you his strength when you are tired. Remember something funny he said when you're sad. Share your families with your comrades that have no family. Be brothers. Be brave. Your enemies will run from the sight of you. The Lord has sent you a terrifying spirit.

Bob, You were always an amazing friend to me. I still can't believe that you're gone. It seems like yesterday that we were silly highschool kids hanging out at lunch out in front of Mr. Bixler's room. I think you would have liked the Veteran's Day Memorial they had in your honor today, though I can imagine your face twisting up with all the wonderful things people said about you. I'll always ALWAYS remember the good times we had, and what a truly beautiful human being you were. You brought me up when I was down, and loved your friends like family. We love you just as much, and always will. I hope to see you in the better place :)You'll always be in our hearts,
Love,
-Margaret

I am not related to Robert, but my name is Michael J. Ayres. I wear a leather bracelet with Robert's name, from Herobracelet.org. Thank you Robert for your ultimate sacrifice. The maintaining of our freedom has a high price. I spent 10 years in the USAF, but never in harms way. Thank you to all who have and are currently serving. My prayers go out to the Ayres' family, thank you for your son.
mayresca@bellsouth.net
Respectfully,
Michael J. Ayres
(SSgt - while enlisted)
(Capt - while commissioned)

you will never know how much i will miss you. whenever i see your name or picture i burst into tears. my favorites are us at the rolling stones concert. i miss the music room with you. i miss it all, i miss you and will love you forever. the sound of your voice is to be missed. bob bob. yours always, kate.

Sgt Ayres was more than a team leader to me, he was a friend and more importantly a brother. Not a brother in a related sense but more like a brother I looked out for while he looked out for me. Seeing as how it was just the two of us for the longest of time it was easy to look out for each other. Unfortunately during the date of Sep 29, I was unable to keep my brother out of harms way. However he did his job in looking out for me by pushing me out of the way and keeping me alive. I wish to god every night that I could just thank him, but I know that I will never get the chance to thank him. To his family I am sorry for your loss, and I promise one day I will make it out to see the family of my hero. R.I.P. my team leader, my friend and my brother. I will never forget what you did for me.

You're in my thoughts every day buddy. I love you bobby. Can't wait to see you again

The halls of Cabrillo Elementary, and Malibu Middle and High Schools sing out Bobby's name everyday. Not a day passes without someone, teacher, administrator, or friend, tells of Bobby's brevity and sacrifice. He is our "homeboy" who'll continue to touch all who pass the ground he traversed here forever.