Remembering California’s war dead

Since late 2001, The Times has chronicled the lives of military personnel who have died while serving in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their stories, photos, personal websites and additional material have been collected at latimes.com/wardead. The California’s War Dead database can be searched by name, hometown, high school, branch of service, age and more. Readers are invited to leave memories of their loved ones and colleagues or to post tributes to men and women they never met. Here are some recent posts:

“Dearest cousin, you were always such an amazing person loved by all, and everyone is, and for always, will be proud of your accomplishments and remember you as the hero you are. I will miss you dearly and cherish your memory always. May God hold you in his arms for you are truly worthy of his love. Rest in peace.”

-- Adriana Charkhian,

posted Wednesday on Army Sgt. Jose Regalado, 23, of Los Angeles, above, who was one of two soldiers killed Nov. 13 when a uniformed Iraqi Army soldier approached them and opened fire in Mosul, Iraq, north of Baghdad

“I wasn’t really close to my cousin as I wish that I would have been. He was a great person though and I love him so much. He was caring, responsible and very intelligent. I still hold the memories of our childhood, and I know that you are in a better place now. I still can’t believe that you are gone. I expected great things, and I know that you would have accomplished a lot. R.I.P. You are gone but will never be forgotten.”

-- Melissa Valles,

posted Wednesday on Army Spc. Armando De La Paz, 21, of Riverside, who was killed Nov. 13 when his vehicle overturned in Baghdad

“I had the priv[ilege] of being Staff Sgt. Ayala’s supervisor while we were at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. Alejandro epitomized professionalism in the military. He never complained no matter the task. I will always admire that man. I still carry his memory and continue to pray for his family on such a tragic loss.”

-- Chandra Roberts,

posted Tuesday on Air Force Staff Sgt. Alejandro Ayala, 26, of Riverside, who was killed Nov. 18, 2007, in a vehicle accident in Kuwait

“I didn’t think that at my age somebody I went to high school with would be a casualty of this Iraq war. Guess I was wrong. I knew Mark since 7th grade Science/PE. We moved in different circles and didn’t have many classes together, but we’d always say hi when we saw each other at school, do a stop and chat when we saw each other off campus, like at the 1977 Alice Cooper concert or at Weberstown Mall. I lost contact after we both left Delta College, but I remember him as a friendly, cool, intelligent really nice guy. I’ll always wonder who was Rupert Quincy Fangbottom III?”

-- Greg Hellwig,

posted Monday on Army Maj. Mark Taylor, 41, of Stockton, who was killed March 20, 2004, when a rocket hit his living area in Fallouja, Iraq, west of Baghdad

“God bless men of his character.”

-- Jim Bradley,

posted Monday on Army Sgt. Travon Johnson, 29, of Palmdale, who was among four soldiers killed July 23, 2007, when a roadside bomb exploded near their vehicle in Afghanistan’s Sarobi district, east of Kabul

“I think that knowing Bruno and hearing of his death has affected everyone and anyone who knew him in one way or another. I will forever be a more patriotic American than I was before. We live in a wonderful country and owe a thank you to all the brave men like Bruno who serve in the military. No 4th of July, Memorial Day or Veterans Day will ever be ‘just a day off of work’ for me again. He will always be remembered and prayed for on these days. God Bless Bruno and the sacrifice he made. He was very special.”

-- Erica,

posted Thursday on Army National Guard Capt. Bruno De Solenni, 32 of Crescent City, Calif., right, who was killed Sept. 20 when a roadside bomb exploded near his vehicle in Kandahar, Afghanistan