I would just like to write and send my condulences to your family. As we would all like to be home with you, we still have a job to do over here. We all know you will be looking over us. 2nd Platoon Marines!!!

IM IN TEARS AT THE COMPUTER TRYING TO READ THROUGH ALL THE THANKS PEOPLE WROTE TO OUR HERO IVAN WILSON. IM WITING THIS TO IVAN, I DID NOT GET TO TOUCH YOU WHEN YOU GOT BACK HOME. I SEEN THE HIRS BRINGING YOU FROM ASTUN PARK IWAS ON THE BUS I TOLD AL THE PEOPPLE ON THE BUS THAT  IVAN A FELOW MARINE WAS HOME AND TO SAY HI. I WAS TRYING TO GET TO ASTUIN PARK BUT THE BUS DID NOT GET ME THERE IN TIME I  SEEN YOU IN THE COFFIN IN THE BACK OFTHE HERIS THAT  WAS CARING YOUR BODIE. ANY WAY BEFORE I GET IN TO TEARS AGAIN I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU NO THAT I SEEN YOUR MOM AND LITTLE SIS AND THEY BOTHER LOOK GOOD TO OF LOST THERE SON AND BIG BRO. ANYWAY I M JUST CARING ON I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT I WENT TO SCHOL WITH YOU I NOW THAT YOU DID NOT LIKE ME MUCH BUT THEN WHO DID WHEN I WAS GOING TO SCHOOL ANYWAY I NO  YOU DID NOT PUT ME DOWN LIKE THE OTHER KIDS DO I RESPECT WHAT YOU DID TO PROTECT OUR COUNTRY I LOVE YOU MAN A CLAS MATE YOU WILL  WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART . ANYWAY I WILL BE AT THE SERVICE ON SATURDAY LOVE YOU MAN. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTING.                                                                                                                                                                                  YOUR CLASS MATE ANTOINETTE HAMILTON 

While I did not ever have the pleasure of meeting Ivan, I have had the good fortune to have his Uncle Mike (also a Marine), cousin Christopher and "Grumpus" Denis as part of my extended family for the past 8 years. My heart goes out to all of the family. Having lived on the ranch in Hopland and getting to know Mac & Alice's spirit, I know that they are with him now. Ivan will forever be remembered. As the daughter of a Marine, he will forever have my respect and thanks.

I did not know Ivan but he was my son also I don;t know the family but we are family. My heartgoes out to the family of this Brave Marine My son and nephew are both Marines serving in Iraq and Adghanastan We share a mutual bond as mothers May god Grant the family peace and comfort Semper Fi and God Bless a marine Mom Ohio

I'm Wally Hawkins Jackie Wilson's Godfather, I remember a Wonderful, sweet, kind little freckled face kid that would come to mass on Sunday with Denise and Jackie and Grandmother and help corral Jackie and bring her back to her seat or to make her turn back around and stop looking at the pews behind her where Pam and I would sit. I remember on many occasions I would feel this quiet presents standing next to me without a word and as I looked down there was Ivan saying...HI WALLY! in his quiet little voice. I would give him a hug and let him know I was Happy to see him. Such a wonderful, well mannered little man. Although extremely sad for all of us conected to the Wilson's just know that Ivan was wonderful and blessed by God and that Ivan's with the Lord. He left protecting others in Harm's way just as he protected his little sister to do the right thing. Thank you Ivan for being a light in my life and you will always be in our prayers and in our hearts. Wally and Pam Hawkins

I didnt really know him. But i heard about him and it broke my heart. He was so young. I hope he had a great life. I feel for his mom. I cant even imagine. Im here if you need anything. Melissa

Sonny Boy Ivan (my nickname for him), will greatly be missed and I feel so many emotions right now that it is still hard to fully express my genuine feelings. These are thoughts that I would like published in your paper… My feelings are … “Ivan lived life on life’s terms.” He was always a happy and loving son, even though he had his ins and outs. He had his good days and bad days – overall he was a very happy and well-loved young man with a promising future! He experienced DEFEATS and TRIUMPHS in his life, but those things never kept him from moving forward in life. He experienced so many things in his short life and I believe the things he did that led him to becoming a U.S. Marine made him the man he is today! He choose to join the Marines when other things just weren’t working in his world, but he felt it was one of the best decisions he made in a very long time when he made that first call to them. All I can say is that my son paid the ULTIMATE SACRIFICE serving his country especially in this time of war, but he fought the hard fight and always preserved no matter what! As his mom, I want to say how very proud I am of him for all he accomplished and I know and believe he is amongst the other fallen Marines in the heavenly skies. He patrolled the streets of our country and countries afar and now he is patrolling the golden streets of Heaven and as I look up to the blue sky, I will proudly smile knowing my son is looking down on me and smiling back at me. As you always told me Ivan… “Mom, Bee Happy (note the spelling) lol…” I always signed my letters or e-mails saying this “Love you, Mean It,” to my children. And so My Sonny Boy Ivan know I am ever so proud of you and will miss you and will always hold you close to my heart…You will never be forgotten by Jackis Khan (nickname for his 19 yr sister Jackie), Nate Dogg (nickname for his 3 yr old little brother) and as you always called me “Momma!” Love you, Mean it!! I wrote this on 7-26-08 Today, after speaking to Wilson, I sit and shed some more tears...seeing you through there eyes is so wonderful and knowing you were well liked and taken cared of I know I can find some solance in that. I miss you oh so much and know that your in a better place now; Sonny Boy Ivan you need feel no more pain, confusion, or any fears you felt, you can now feel an over abundance of joy, laughter, happiness and just whatever!! No rules where u are... so live it up My Sonny Boy Ivan!! My sunshine, my moonlight: my life!! Jacks and Nate Dogg miss u tons too and so just send us your signs and we will do what is necessary to fullfill all your wildest dreams via us!! Yours Forever, Momma xxxxooo

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ivan - i miss you so much but know your in a better place with Nick and all your other friends.. and family. I will never forgot all the things we did growing up and sharing the time we had with momma and nathaniel as well as the trips we went on. I can't express how much you influenced me. I am living life for the both of us and will do the things you never got to do. I love you big brother. Rest in peace

willie was a great guy. he had his ups and downs as a marine. To anyone who didnt know this guy you missed out on one of the greatest people i have ever known. I was greatly saddened that i was not there this time with wilson like i was on our last tour overseas. He was funny and could make others laugh just by doin that ridiculas stair of his. But for all of you who dont know daniel olsen was kill last year in iraq and he to was in my platoon my sqd like willie. So dont worry about wilson cause im tellin all that now willie is up there with god and him and olsen are hangin out and if i could tell willie anything it would be that wait for the rest of us man the entire platoon will be there before he knows it however we may get there and when. Soo willie get the beer cold olsen get the girls and we will see you both when we get there ill always remember the good and yeah even the shitty times we had over there but thats our thing and we will talk again love you both and semper fi.

From a fellow Marine of a different era. I appreciate Ivan Wilson's service, dedication and sacrifice in the proud tradition of the Corps. But we who served know that those who wait for us to return also sacrifice, often more than we do. Just know that Marines, past, present and future know that we can only strive to match such dedication as Ivan's. Semper fi. RDM, USMC retired. Lakeport

I will always remember Ivan as he was when I first met him, a nine year old boy who sat in front of me in fourth grade...lol. I actually still have a picture of him from that year. Ivan was...he was a very vibrant part of my growing up. He always viewed everything put in front of him with an open mind, we'll almost always at least :) and I remember growing up around him thinking "I wish I could be so bold, to speak my thoughts without worry of criticism" He was very brave, in that he didnt really care what others thought of him. He felt how he felt and no one would ever change that. He could also be a tyrant at times especially when your ideas didnt coincide with what he believed in, he was definately born to debate, and he and I did so many times within the thirteen years that we knew each other. While we werent exactly best friends growing up, he was a big part of my adolescence none the less. We had pretty much grown up side by side in the small town where we lived. I respected him for his strength in his beliefs and his sense of humor lol. I would also like to add the condolences of my grandfather, one of Ivans former wrestling coaches, coach James Taylor, May you rest in peace Ivan, and may God bless you and bring you and your family peace... You will always be remembered Ivan, forever in our hearts... Rest in peace buddy

My name is Nick Barrell.. Shout out to James and Amy 2 posts up! :P. Ivan was a very good friend of mine. I remember meeting him in Hich School thinking he was nuts. He was always full of life and energy. We shared a lot of good times back in those days. After high school we both went our seperate ways. I remember when i went to College in Eureka, my quad-mates asked me where I was from. When I replied "Clearlake," the first thing they asked was "Do you know Ivan?!" They too had some crazy stories about him. Haha! The RA at the time still carried the nick-name Ivan gave him (Lets not share the name here, its a little crude..LOL!!) All in all, Ivan was a good friend and I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. Lots of people have been touched by Ivan's service. People who don't even know him are coming out to pay their respects. I will be there with an organization called The Patriot Guard Riders. We're a group of people who go to funerals and memorials of fallen soliders to pay our respects. We show up like a sea of steel on our motorcycles to ride with respect... They too love Ivan for his sacrifice. Ivan.. You will always be remembered for your friendship and service. I love you, buddy!

to see this here...your friend..christopher k wilson...ivan irl wilson's honored and proud father..chrisandyoli@yahoo.com. 707 350 4348

Our son, “doc” Daniel, a US Navy Corpsman, was present when Pfc. Ivan Wilson died. He called us from Afghanistan to tell that Pfc. Wilson was an excellent Marine. With another Marine, they planned to fly home together at the end of the tour. But Pfc. Wilson arrived in a better place before the three of them home. He was a very good friend of Edwin. Don & Rosye Salz, Sacramento, CA. Parents of Edwin Daniel. Edwin could not write this himself because he is still in the field, in Afghanistan.

IM LCPL WILSON R I HAVE BEEN WITH WILLIE SINCE SHIT SOI- I WISH TO LET HIS MOTHER KNOW HE WAS MY GOOD FRIEND SND WHEN WE WERE IN IRAQ TOGETHER THE FIRST TIME I WOULN NOT WANT ANYONE ELSE BESIDE ME BUT MY MAN MY BRO WILSON. I KNOW U DONT KNOW ME BUT I WAS SHOT IN IRAQ OF 07 WITH WILSON WITH ME PLZ FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME 760-819-1208 SEMPER FI WILLIE AND R.I.P TELL OLSEN WE SAID WHATS UP

I remember back in Elementary school Ivan and my brother were the best of first in the first grade, My brother Jesse Yokum and Ivan would both get out of class to go to the bath room. I remember one time the turned on all the sinks and over flowd the toilets in the bathroom. Jesse gave him the nick name of Ivan the trouble. His fun but yet outrageous behavior, made him a character in everyone eyes. Of course me being the older sibling to Jesse, I lost contact of how Ivan as doing. Then I few days ago I get a phone call from my mother telling me of the news of Ivan. I was speachless. I didnt know what to say. Then the words How did it happen, how is his family, and how is Jesse taking since they were so close, all those years ago? emerge. All I know is that Ivans family will be in my prayers and thoughts. And I will always hold on to those oh so adventerous Ivan the Trouble. Although now him serving the country to him was the best thing for him from what I have read.

Ivan Wilson was a very close friend of our son Nick Bowden, who sadly is also no longer with us. He passed away from illness in March , 2006. Ivan and Nick met as freshmen in high school and grew up together, from playing "Magic, the Gathering" together at the card shop to obsessing over the Star Wars movies as kids, all the way to seeing one another begin thier carreers as young men. Nick encouraged Ivan to join the marines. He would have been crushed to know that Ivan died serving his country, but he also would have been extremely proud to know that his best friend was a genuine hero. All I can say is "Ivan, you're with Nick now". James and Amy........parents of Nick Bowden.

Ivan has touched the hearts of many with his bravery. He is seen as a hero to many and indeed he was. His dedication to his country will never be forgotten. Ivan is an inspiration. May he rest in peace.