Army Sgt. Gregory Wahl, of Valley Stream, sent many letters from the battlefields of Iraq expressing his love for his wife and baby girl, but sadly never got to send out his final correspondence.

Wahl died in action on May 3, 2004.

Maricela Wahl, Gregory's wife, says her husband wanted to protect his country because he loved it.

"In Iraq they used to call him the big and gentle giant because when guys were down missing their families, he would go up and lift their spirits," says Wahl.

Wahl says Gregory had a heart of gold. She says he loved his family, and his daughter was his little princess.

"He always made sure he told us he loved us. In every phone call, every letter, 'I love you, I love Alexis. Make sure you tell her that Daddy is thinking of her.'"

Wahl even mailed her husband a card that he could use to record his voice and send back to them.

"I love hearing his voice," says Wahl. "I replay this over and over again, but I want more. There is no more."

Gregory Wahl was killed when his Humvee flipped over a canal.

"My world came crashing down when I heard that," says Wahl. "That was the worst day of my life that I would never forget."

Wahl has one card that was in Greg's possessions from Iraq. He unfortunately never got to mail it.

"It says, 'To Maricela and Alexis. I miss you both dearly. I can't wait to be able to hold my two babies. I want to give you both a big hug and kisses. And drink a cold beer, take a bath and get a massage. These last few days feels like hell. As much as you say you miss me, I think I miss the both of you more than you'll ever know. Everything is getting to me and just to call you and read and email and receive mail makes me feel loved and shows me that I really found what I always wanted. I found it in you, Maricela. You're always in my dreams. I wish I could just fly home and say to you and Alexis, you mean the world to me. I just want for the three of us to be together. Love, Sgt. Gregory Wahl.'"

Wahl says the two of them had so many plans. She says he is gone but not forgotten.

"I make sure that his memory is going to stay alive," says Wahl. "I'm going to honor him until the last breath I take."