Family Mourns Death of Local Soldier Killed In Iraq

I have a son leaving Wednesday and I can feel your pain. My heartfelt condolences to the family.

I am sorry for your loss! I am proud to be an American and support our troops no matter what I think of the war. They are our children over there and that is what is most important! God Bless and THANK YOU! THANK YOU TO YOUR SON FOR PROTECTING ALL OF US!

Rinda, Jennifer & Rodger
We are so sorry for your loss and have you all in our prayers. Alex was such a wonderful young man and will be greatly missed by many. We are so honored to have known Alex and have a part of watching him grow up into a strong and brave young man. I can just picture him still walking by the house from school like it was yesterday. May Alex's memory still live on in everyones heart. We love you guys

Rinda and Family
We are praying for your family. The kids loved Alex so much and talk about him all the time as well as Morgan. I will always remember the day of Kirsten's wedding how he told me he was going to Iraq and had a smile on his face. My heart breaks for you and your family to lose so much. He was a brave young man and will be missed by so many. May the Lord be with you now and always through this very difficult time.

My heart and prayers go out to the family and friends of Alex. Shane, I love you and am always here for you whenever you need me. Rinda, my prayers stay with you all the time. If you need anything, I am here to help. Alex was an amazing person, and I know that only through stories from his brother. He will be missed, but cherished.

With love and blessings.

I love you Alex.

I will never forget what you gave for our country.

I'm gonna miss you a lot.

I'm a friend of Kat's, and I just wanted to take the time to let you and your family know you are in my thoughts and prayers. I lost my eldest son and I understand the depths of your heartache. May you know God's comfort and deep inner peace. With deepest sympathy, Julie from Australia.

SOLDIERS DYING FOR THE RICH TO GET RICHER! What a war... WOW. That's no war, that's just plain invasion and bullying. They not protecting anyone. Terrorists have only become stronger with your war!!

My son was caught up in something he had no control over, I am so very proud of the job he choose, at the same time wanted to whisk him away to safety. I love all our soldiers, but totally agree they all should come home. It's not working in Iraq, just getting worse, no matter how many sound bites this administration puts out in the media. Our Christian Nation has worked the Muslim world into a frenzy based on lies..

Im so sorry for your loss, Rinda. I'm also a friend of Kat's. No matter ones opinion on the war, your son was brave and we all owe him a debt of gratitude. Please take a small amount of comfort in knowing we share in your grief. Please take care.

Rinda,
Every mother knows that that greatest loss you can face is that of loosing one of your children. You have my deepest sympathy over the loss of your son Alex. I also want to say that your family has made one of the greatest sacrifices for our country…your son. Although, I do not support the war, I do support our troops and appreciate all they have done to protect us.

Although no words of mine can take the pain or even ease the sense of loss you are feeling, I want to say that your son will forever live on as a hero. In this day and age, seems America becomes more jaded with each moment. Never forget why America is the greatest. It's because your son was willing to fight to keep us safe. Though you are in mourning, Stand proud, you are a mother of a soldier, a hero, a brave young man who selflessly fought to keep us here at home safe. I will pray for you, and I hope God gives you comfort in this time. I give you a verse that has helped me, Matthew 11:28-30. Please take a moment, to read it, God has it for you. With Love,
Amanda

It always breaks my heart when i hear about another soldier who lost his life in a winless war, but fear for him no more, for he now walks with our lord. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family in this time of pain. I just wonder how many more young soldeirs have to die before our troops are brought home for good. May GOD BLESS US ALL!!!

GOOD BYE ALEX..........A TRUE AMERICAN HERO......You walk with the Lord now but you will forever walk in our hearts. Though I spoke with you only thru emails, you impacted my life and changed it for knowing you. I truly will miss them and your wonderful personality. Rinda, Jenn and Roger my heart and prayers are with you in this very hard time. I pray that you are given ALL THE STRENGHT AND COURAGE you will need in the coming days. Rinda my wonderful friend you are in my thoughts and heart and if there is anything just let me know Love Teri

We are sorry to hear of the loss of Alex Varela, he gave the ultimate sacrifice to our country and His mother, Rinda Pope gave the ultimate contribution to our country with the loss of her son.

This incident is a clear example of the unique IED's that are being supplied and imported from Iran.
It's time to hold the Iranian's accountable for supplying the this type of IED.

XXX wrote:

SOLDIERS DYING FOR THE RICH TO GET RICHER! What a war... WOW. That's no war, that's just plain invasion and bullying. They not protecting anyone. Terrorists have only become stronger with your war!!

What an inappropriate comment at a time like this! I see you don't have the courage to post your name.

The loss of such a patriot is hard to bear.

In 1973, when I enlisted in the Marines after high school, we were still in Viet Nam. But the tide was turning against the war and we pulled out. Did that dishonor the Viet Nam American war dead?

I honor the men and women who serve in this war, their sacrifice is the only sacrifice being asked of any Americans. No one is even being asked to pay for it.

And so we must honor troops like PFC Alex Varela and his comrades, they are the holy of holies to a nation like ours, patriots who are willing to offer their lives in defense of our country.

However I can not honor the war or the reasons that were used to start this mismanaged fiasco.

I salute all the fallen. I hope that I never have to go through what 1,000's of families have had to go through. I SUPPORT ALL OF OUR TROOPS!!!

I am Kathy mom, and the grandmother of Shane and Kirsten.

I am so sorry to hear about your son, losing his life and how hard it must be for you to lose him. I can't even image.
You are in my prayers, May the Lord comfort you, may He give you the peace that only He can give. May the Lord give you strength for each new day.

Rinda, I know that I talk to you alot but I really want you to konw how much I did and still do love your son. He was the world to me and I would give anything just to have him back here. I loved him so much.