Lester wrote on Jan 11, 2008 10:20 AM:God bless you, Merlo Family, God bless you all. You have paid a high price to insure the freedom of our republic. Ivan is a hero and a patriot and will live in our hearts forever.

Jim wrote on Jan 11, 2008 11:31 AM:"Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

Thank God for people like Ivan. Our prayers to your friends and family.

Thank You wrote on Jan 11, 2008 11:39 AM:Merlo family, as you go through this hard time, please remember that there are also other military families out here, that share the same with you. You as well as our soldier have made a great sacrifice. For this we thank you and have you in our hearts and prayers. ~ USMC wife.

Tragedy wrote on Jan 11, 2008 12:24 PM:What a tragic loss of life of a 19 yr old boy for an unnecessary occupation of a country that did not attack us or even threaten us. The Repubs can try and justify this invasion and occupation all they want but the fact is it's one of the biggest blunders ever in our history...20,000 dead and wounded troops - will anyone be held accountable?

Doug wrote on Jan 11, 2008 1:32 PM:To Tragedy: This is not the place for your politics. This is about honoring an American hero. You are behaving no differently than those nuts that protest at soldiers' funerals.

Thank you, Pfc. Ivan E. Merl, for being a role model for my kids and for serving our country. You have done your parents and your country proud!

To Tradegy: wrote on Jan 11, 2008 3:35 PM:This is not a place for your nonsensical political rants. This is a story about a 19 year old HERO that gave his life so you could Rant about absolutely nothing of value. How about some respect for him and his family and back off the politic for once you loser!

To DOUG wrote on Jan 11, 2008 3:43 PM:Tragedy is right!!! You are wrong!!!! Dead wrong!! Hero's don't have to die to be hero's. This IS a tragedy and it is UNNECESSARY! It's an outrage!! IT IS POLITICAL!!! AND this loss of our children, tragically and unncessarily needs to STOP before more are killed!! That would HONOR ALL!!

Wife of a Soldier wrote on Jan 11, 2008 5:23 PM:How about we stop politicizing the deaths of our soldiers and focus on their lives and the HEROS they are. Regardless of whether they died for our country or not, each soldier is a hero.

To Doug and Tragedy, please show some respect and refrain from making such disrespectful comments on websites such as this. The families of our fallen soldiers are going through such a hard time right now and there is no room for comments such as yours.

Tragedy wrote on Jan 11, 2008 6:02 PM:It is amazing how people become angry with people that are angry that our troops are dying in a country that never attacked us, didn't even threaten us, and had nothing to do with 9/11. For some strange reason they are not angry with the liars in this current administration who sent them there. 20,000 dead and wounded soldiers. Most of the 9/11 attackers were from Saudi Arabia but our president walks hand-in-hand and hugs and kisses the Saudi princes - all because of their oil. If that isn't sickening I don't know what is.

These same people with their false patriotism believe that other people's kids are expendable; and they cheer on the troops when they and their family are not in any danger. Their only 'support' for the troops is a yellow ribbon magnet on their car. You know who you are reading this.

To wrote on Jan 12, 2008 12:22 AM:while there may be validity to your complaints, you both demonstrate a sorry understanding of when and where to try and make a point. and what have you done to effect change in our government policy regarding the war in Iraq or any other issue at the federal, state and local issue? while i respect you right to have an opinion on any issue, I pity both of you for being so tactless.

In Harms Way wrote on Jan 12, 2008 1:04 AM:To "Tragedy" and "Doug":

I am currently serving in Afghanistan and have served two previous tours in Iraq, so I believe I am qualified to voice an opinion of "True Patriotism" and I certainly view myself and my comrades as anything but "expendable". I, and all other members of the Armed Forces, wear the cloth of our Nation on foreign soil to protect you and your family from harm and to defend your right to your opinion, and I will continue to fight for you and your rights to the death if need be.

That said, I fully recognize your right to support or object to the policies of our nation. I would submit however that only the grieving family of Pfc. Merlo have the right at this time to decide whether his name and his sacrifice should be placed into the public argument of whether or not to support the war. Feel free to campaign as you see fit, but please allow this family to mourn the passing of their loved one without you hijacking his memory for your cause. I assure you, if the family feels he died in vein, they have ample avenues to express that to the Nation on his and their behalf. They have lost their son, husband and father. Don't take all they have left of him by assuming his spirit for your own cause, regardless of how just you see it to be. I would hope that if I were to die in combat tomorrow, the same respect would be afforded my loved ones.

To the family of Pfc Merlo, you have the heartfelt sorrow for your loss from all of us who continue to fight. We carry the memory and the spirit of him and all who have paid the ultimate sacrifice with us each day.

Karl wrote on Jan 12, 2008 6:17 AM:You are selfish, uncaring person. You know who you are reading this.

Russ wrote on Jan 12, 2008 7:51 AM:God bless you and rest in peace

Missed the point wrote on Jan 12, 2008 9:04 AM:I don't think Tragedy and Doug are being disrespectful at all and I think you missed the point. I think what they were trying to say is that a young person had to die. No matter if you are in support of the war or not, a young selfless person died. If we weren't in Iraq then he would not have died. They aren't saying he isn't a hero. Actually quite the opposite. I don't even know any of them but that is what I got from reading this. So go ahead and criticize me. Any place is appropriate to protest deaths that occur daily and to encourage our "leaders" to bring home our troops. When will it end? The only ones that are winning are those who are profiting from the war and goodness knows that they are making big bucks. It's just a shame that this young man had to die. Period. I honor him and his family and pray for peace and comfort. Only the good die young. May Merlo's family be blessed with the knowledge that no matter the politics everyone knows Ivan is a hero and that is death was not in vain and that we should honor and remember his sacrafice always and reach out any way we can to help and honor his family.

Thank you wrote on Jan 12, 2008 9:17 AM:I just want to say Thank you to Merlo's family for allowing Ivan to serve our country and to fight for our freedom. I don't agree with the politics of why our troops are there but I honor those soldiers that are. I pray that they and their families will be blessed beyond measure, especially the Merlo family. I am deeply saddened. His little brother looked up to him and talked about him with such pride! I've never seen any sibling who was more proud of his brother. He enjoyed making cards for his big brother and we encouraged his classmates to do it also. My heart breaks for him and his loved ones. Alex, you are in my prayers. Mrs. S.

For Tradegy wrote on Jan 12, 2008 10:04 AM:Please go back to Starbucks and share your views with your old hippie friends.

Spirit wrote on Jan 12, 2008 10:07 AM:Pfc. Merlo: you exemplify the word "hero" and all of us that love this country as well as the freedoms it offers thank you for the ultimate sacrifice you made. To Mrs. Merlo and the Merlo family: May God be with you in this most difficult of times.

to In Harms Way wrote on Jan 12, 2008 10:46 AM:you're in Afghanistan like I'm on the moon. Who do you think you're fooling?

? wrote on Jan 12, 2008 11:01 AM:do you people really think the Merlo family is reading this blog?

murrieta resident wrote on Jan 12, 2008 11:20 AM:Pfc. Merlo just like THOUSANDS of men and women CHOSE this occupation. He was not forced into it as in the old days of the draft. He knew exactly what he was getting into and I applaud him for knowingly accepting the responsibility of taking care of us... just like police, fire-fighters, doctors, nurses, etc. He will not be forgotten and he is a hero. I'm praying for the family at this time. God Bless You.

Troop Supporter wrote on Jan 12, 2008 11:51 AM:To ?: yes, it's very possible that the Merlo family and PFC Merlo's loved ones and friends are reading this. NCT is a local newspaper serving the area including San Marcos. I would assume some posters make their comments knowing full well this - that includes those who offer condolences (there has been a post from a friend of the family) and grieve with the family and those who feel the need to say political or insensitive things that cause further pain and hurt to the families. Yes, it's an open blog, but some people understand and some do not or don't care. I know my share of Gold Star families and also know that many of them search for every single thing in remembrance of their loved one, our brave American sons and daughters and husbands and fathers. Prayers lifted for the Merlo family.

patrick M. wrote on Jan 12, 2008 11:54 AM:god speed and rest in peace. Thank your for my freedoms, its hurts to see you go so young.

Karl wrote on Jan 12, 2008 1:22 PM:One word, pathetic. There are so many outlets including this one to voice an opinion on the war. Pathetic, pathetic, pathetic. Shame on you.

Godspeed to you wrote on Jan 12, 2008 2:14 PM:Yes, this young man's death saddens me to the core and I am so sorry for the family and I'm proud of your son.
But what also saddens me is that I read in the paper today that the Iraqi government is reinstating former members of Saddam's government. How many "Saddams" are in their ranks just waiting for the right time to rise to power after we leave. What a fiasco.

Sad irony wrote on Jan 12, 2008 2:55 PM:The sad irony of this boy's death is that by our troops occupying that muslim country we are helping to recruit muslim fanatics that were never there in the first place, which makes it more dangerous for us in the US.

If the family got to choose wrote on Jan 12, 2008 3:55 PM:I'm sure they would rather have their son a living hero than a deceased one. That is the tragedy of war, and this political war for oil makes his death even more tragic for all. Stop the killing. Bring our troops home!!!

Support the troops wrote on Jan 12, 2008 5:22 PM:This is exactly the place to bring up the war. This young man paid the ultimate price and some bloggers think it's perfectly acceptable that there will be more and don't want the situation to change. Now that's not what I call supporting the troops.

Mary wrote on Jan 12, 2008 6:49 PM:My daughter is 19 and graduated in 2006. I can not imagine having to sacrifice her or her two brothers to this senseless war which is Bush's personal vendetta against Saddam for trying to "kill my daddy." That was his original reason for going to war and is probably the closest to the truth. I truly appreciate this youngmen's sacrifice and feel for his family. It is now left to us to end this war and bring the troops home.

God Bless wrote on Jan 12, 2008 6:59 PM:This is about the individual who gave his life for a noble cause and his family who lost a beloved one. Those who want to make it a political point will regret their words as they age. It is not a simple premise to be on one side of the argument or the other. Neither side wants to see the loss of life. God bless the family. Our loving thoughts are with you.

Outraged wrote on Jan 12, 2008 7:41 PM:Bush has deliberately extended this occupation because he doesn't want to acknowledge failure on his watch. Where is the outrage?

SMXcousin of a true hero wrote on Jan 13, 2008 12:38 AM:I deeply thank u good hearted people 4 ur condolences very needed god bless
2 does foolz disrespecting my cousin`s memory just think how u feel if it was one of your family members save ur ignoreance I'm so proud wat he did 4 all of us he serve his country with pride I will alwayz honor that his memory will stay in my soul 4ever it so hard 4 our family 6months ago our grandfather passed away now our soldier
In heavenly memory IVAN M VILLEGAZ

marquez wrote on Jan 14, 2008 10:55 PM:Ivan was a great guy i went to school with him i can honestly say he was one of a kind you will always be remembered god bless youre family and rest in peace!

a friend wrote on Jan 16, 2008 2:08 PM: you and your family ,you will always be in our hearts and prayers...SAN MARCOS is proud to be your hometown!

a friend wrote on Jan 16, 2008 2:14 PM:
you and your family will always be in our hearts and prayers no matter what all these other people are saying you'll always be a hero.thank you for everything youve done for our country...SAN MARCOS is proud to be your hometown!

Bill wrote on Jan 16, 2008 8:05 PM:To the Merlo family. My son was there. I talked to him last night, and he said how much liked Ivan. My son said that when they found Ivan he was out of ammo and was protecting his buddy Pfc. Pannier. Pannier was also killed. Your son is hero. He would not leave a wounded friend and gave his life trying to save another.

To people like Tradegy you have no concept for what these young men are fighting for. They are fighting against an evil ideology, and we could kill every terrorist in the world and it would not matter. We must defeat the torrorISM. There is only one way to do that. With a counter ideology. Free will! That's right Muslim terrorist will be generational for ever unless we change the paradigm. A free Iraq as an ally going forward will be the most important weapon to defeat terrorism.

J Street wrote on Jan 17, 2008 2:30 PM:This is coming from a friend of Ivan's...All of you using Merlo's death as a way to prove a point are disgraceful. Not only to yourself but to our country. You sit there in front of your computer disputing the war in Iraq but even if it was justified you wouldn't do ... about it. You would still be sitting in front of your computer finding something else to complain about. Stay off this page with the disrespect. He died for everything you live in today. We are free because of the souls that have fallen now and those who have fallen in the past. How dare you to even think you have the right...Stay on your computer and keep running your mouth, why our brave soldiers are out their fighting for everything America stands for. Go to ... sleep and keep your mouths shut.

AdrI wrote on Jan 23, 2008 1:43 PM:GOD BLESS IVAN HE WAS A GREAT GUY, NOW HE WIL BE LOOKING DOWN ON US AND LOOKING OUT FOR US...WE ALL LOVE YOU AND YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MISSED!..GOD BLESS YOU IVAN..THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE AND THE LIFE THAT WE LIVE TODAY...