Evan was a brother to me and I still think about him and the lessons he taught me.
Danny Goodman <dj@gmail.com>
West Hills, CA USA - Wednesday, August 24, 2005 at 20:53:12 (EDT)

Evan: Hey buddy, you will not have died in vain and your name shall live forever. Jim
Jim Bright
West Hills, CA USA - Sunday, August 07, 2005 at 14:13:16 (EDT)

your son is a hero to our country. I know many pains. I lost a young daughter. Just today I lost my little nephew killed in service in Iraq. I always feel like there must be an answer, (haven't found one.) but know this, your son will never be forgotten.
anne <imanne@aol.com>
monroe, nj USA - Wednesday, June 08, 2005 at 20:14:21 (EDT)

Evan, you are missed dearly, i can attest to all the wonderful things people have said about you. You have made more of an impact on my life then you will ever know. Thank you. Your friend, Evan W.
Evan Whitener
Long Beach, CA USA - Thursday, June 02, 2005 at 22:49:32 (EDT)

God bless your family in your hour of need. Your loved one has now the title of HERO. It may not be of consolation now, but all Americans will know your son as Hero. God Bless.
Anabel Rogers <hemeha2@sbcglobal.net>
Longview, TX USA - March 31, 2005

I did not know him, but hey, family is family, no matter how far removed. I grieve with you, I was lucky enough to come back the first time around, in '93. My father was a vet from Viet Nam and the Storm in 90. I am proud of Evan, and all those like him who would put their own sense of service ahead of their own desires, in order to ensure that their needs and the needs of those around them are met. May God bless you all and all in your families.
Troy Ashcraft <troy@clanashcraft.com >
Whitefish, MT USA - March 26, 2005

TO CPL. ASHCRAFT FAMILY MY SYMPATHY. HE WAS ONE OF AMERICAS BEST.
Robert Maughan
USA - March 20, 2005

I just stumbled across this guest book by accident and wish that I had found it much sooner. I searched anxiously for an outlet for my grief and just now I found this guest book. I'm so glad to discover that Evan was loved by so many people. My family and I recently moved to AZ from San Mateo, CA - the city that adopted Evan's unit and originally started the adopt a soldier program. Evan was the soldier that my husband and I adopted. Evan wrote us to thank us for the letter and care package that we sent him and to tell us that he would love to meet us when he returned home. What tremendous handwriting for a man! WOW! We were surprised to find that he has originally from CA and were so thrilled at the prospect of meeting him one day. I was even looking into arranging for a small welcome home celebration upon his arrival. We went to Canada in July 2003 to visit my family and returned in August. I kept wondering why Evan hadn't answered my last letter to him and was getting worried. Something led me to the website of the fallen soldiers and I went through the names alphabetically. I almost fell off my chair when I saw the name Evan Ashcraft. I thought I was going to faint as my heart was pounding so hard that it felt like it was going to exit my body. How could he be gone? Then I saw the date that he passed away, July 24th...my birthday. We had so many unanswered questions about who Evan was. I found a little information about him over the internet which provided some comfort to our grief. This past July I celebrated my birthday with thoughts of Evan. We was our hero and we will forever remember him, his bravery and his sacrifice for our country. Although we didn't have the opportunity to meet him he felt like family to us and made the War in Iraq and the aftermath very personal to us. Evan will always have a special place in our hearts and our family. I will celebrate him each year that I celebrate my birthday and am so thankful that he was "in our lives", even if it was just so briefly. To Ashley, Jane, Drew, Asa and the rest of his family and friends...we are so immensely sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts. Evan was very fortunate to have such a loving family. God bless you all!
Anita Fisse <lovinthedesert@cox.net>
Goodyear, AZ USA - October 20, 2004

I was so touched by the article I read about your son. God Bless you and your family!
Phyllis Tully
Shreveport, LA USA - September 17, 2004

Jane, I am so sorry for your loss. I truly admire your strength. though I have never met Evan, knowing you, I can see where he got his strength from. Sylvia
Sylvia Aslanian
North Hills, CA USA - August 16, 2004

I think about you and your family often.
Steven Sherry <ssherrylcsw@sbcglobal.net >
Chatsworth, CA USA - August 12, 2004

Evan, We miss you and think of you often. You have touched our hearts deeply. Love, Carol, Dennis and Evan
Carol Whitener
San Diego, CA USA - July 22, 2004

I didn't know Evan, but I do know he was a local boy (West San Fernando Valley). All the e-mails I've just read, gave me insight on what a great person he was and he will be greatly missed. I just wanted to let his family know that my prayers are with them and God bless you.
Jessica Quiroga-Bantug
Canoga Park, CA USA - April 10, 2004

Ashcraft was one of the greatest teamleaders I had a chance to serve with he will always be greatly missed and never forgotten. ABU 1/327 INF
James Cox <james.b.cox@us.army.mil>
Oak Grove, KY USA - February 27, 2004

Today I finally stopped crying long enough to search for things on the internet about Evan. I "adopted" Evan at the beginning of the year and we communicated by letter while he was in Iraq. When my last letter to Evan was returned I knew something bad had happened. I did not think that the soldier I adopted would be killed in action. I did not know Evan other than what he wrote in his letters. But I did feel he was a friend. He gave his life for me and for you. I don't know that I could do that. It takes someone special to be willing to do that. Evan was that, he was special. He will never be forgotten and I pray for his family daily.
Bonny Tillman <bonnytil@bellsouth.net>
Monticello,, GA USA - December 1, 2003

TO MY FELLOW RTO UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN...THANK YOU EWING
Justin Ewing
HONOLULU, HI USA - November 2, 2003

Although I never met you, I feel a tremendous loss. We share the same last name and though I don't know if we were related we shared more, the same service to our country, the same love of our family, the same pride of being an American. Now when I look at our flag or sing the National Anthem I see your face. God bless you and your family.
Jay Ashcraft
Nashville,, TN USA - September 6, 2003

Evan, Your memorial picture is on my bulletin board to remind me daily of the ultimate sacrifice you, and others before you, made so that we could live "free". Truly, you are "Above the Rest". You are missed. Joy
Joy DeLeo
Woodland Hills, CA USA - August 15, 2003

Evan - I only met you two times, but through your mother I feel very close to you. We are very proud of you - you as a person and your dedicated service to your country. You will surely be missed and you will live on in our hearts forever.
Rochelle Kasten <rkasten@tecom-ind.com>
Calabasas, CA USA - August 14, 2003

Evan, Your mom knows you are still with her. I am part of the PIHRA Ya Ya Sisterhood and have known your Mom for years. She is straightforward, kind, fun, smart and caring. I understand, so were you. Well, you came by that honestly. We all love your Mom and our hearts and prayers are with her, Ashley, Drew, your Dad, Asa; and Jim and Beverly. May your memory live forever.
Lexi Barr <lexibarr@yahoo.com>
Simi Valley, CA USA - August 7, 2003

Though I did not know you personally Evan, I got to know you through my dear friend Jane. I knew what a wonderful son you were and how proud your parents were of you. I knew about your sweet wife, Ashley, and how you both were making plans for the future. Though I never met you personally Evan, I will forever miss you through my dear friend, your loving mother, Jane.
Sandy Richards <srichards@syska.com>
Manhattan Beach, CA USA - August 7, 2003

Evan was a friend of my daughter Hollyn Nemecek. He was always a positive influence with his friends and a good kid when he was in high school as I knew him. My sincerest sympathy to his wife and family members for their loss. May he be remembered always in good spirits and with love. Theresa :)
Theresa Stuart <onelawforall@hotmail.com>
Lancaster, CA USA - August 7, 2003

Forever in our hearts.
Jane and Jim Bright <jbright94@earthlink.net>
West Hills, CA USA - August 6, 2003

Evan, thank you for your sacrifice. You are our hero. God bless you and God bless America.
Jim Staruk
Worcester, MA USA - August 3, 2003

FROM A GOOD FRIEND & SCHOOLMATE

To The Entire Ashcraft Family:

I am so deeply sorry for the loss of Evan. He was one of the closest friends I had during both my Jr. and High School years... as was Jesse. He was so great at listening and helping you through any situation. Evan was also one to keep you happy and laughing. My fondest memory ov Evan would have to be during our freshman year... I couldn't always hang out so we would watch our favorite TV shows together over the phone (He loved the Simpsons) just about every night. And as the gentleman he was brought up to be; he would make sure to walk me home from school. There is no one other than Evan who would make a better friend.

My heart goes out to Ashley; I couldn't even imagine the pain she is in... I wish I could have met her I was always told by Evan how perfect she was. As for his sweet parents loss... I am now 7 month pregnant with a boy and the thought of EVER having to feel your pain scares me to no end. I am so very sorry... so sorry.

With My Deepest Sympathy
Hollyn Nemecek <Dazzieee@Yahoo.com >
Philadelphia, PA USA - August 3, 2003

I am so sorry for your loss. My cousin Timothy Moehling (35 years old) was killed in Iraq the first week of the war (he was flying one of the Black Hawks that went down in a mission). I know there is nothing I can say to make you feel better, but know that both of these loving people were brave beyond anything we can conceive. They are still with us in our hearts. By the way, we just had a baby a few months ago and Evan (Jacob) was going to be the name if it was a boy (she was a girl!!), but the next one will be Evan if it's a boy!!!
Melissa Walker-Scott
Santa Monica, CA USA - August 1, 2003