LiNuX
06-11-2009, 12:26 AM
Queens Soldier Dies In Roadside Bombing Overseas
By: NY1 News
A soldier from Far Rockaway, who was expected to return home from duty in less than a month, died earlier this week while fighting overseas in Afghanistan.
U.S. Army Specialist Roberto A. Hernandez II, 21, died Tuesday from injuries after his patrol drove over a roadside bomb and took fire from insurgents.
He was assigned to the 549th Military Police Company based out of Fort Stewart, Georgia.
His mother, Paulina Campbell-Richards, describes him as a religious man who put his family first.
"He loved God and everything he did, he knew was his choice. No one ever forces me to do anything," said Campbell-Richards. "I told him to live your life to the fullest and so there is no regret as to what happened."
Hernandez signed up for the military while he was in college and had been enlisted for two years, in part because so many other family members had served.
"He was all excited about what he was doing," said his mother.
He was about to finish a 14-month tour of duty.
"I just couldn't believe it because it was just only a month left, only a month left to come back. He only had a month left to come back home," said Campbell-Richards. "I was going to make sure he wasn't going to go again."
Campbell-Richards says she'll miss her son's smile, sense of humor, and his loving ways. She says she hopes he is remembered fondly for the ultimate sacrifice he made: putting his life on the line to protect the country he loved.
"Of course he is a hero," she said. "My son volunteered his life to serve this country. He is definitely a hero. They are all heroes, the men who are serving in this war."
Hernandez II's body was flown back to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Thursday.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
source: NY1 | 24 Hour Local News | Top Stories | Queens Soldier Dies In Roadside Bombing Overseas
(http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/100268/queens-soldier-dies-in-roadside-bombing-overseas/Default.aspx)
this is definitely not a good week for me and it got worse earlier when I got the news of the death of one of my old classmates. I went to High School with the guy, I've seen him around, he was a great person.
Story says funeral arrangements haven't been announced, but it's supposed to take place this friday, I'll probably be going, not looking forward to the day.
RIP my friend.
By: NY1 News
A soldier from Far Rockaway, who was expected to return home from duty in less than a month, died earlier this week while fighting overseas in Afghanistan.
U.S. Army Specialist Roberto A. Hernandez II, 21, died Tuesday from injuries after his patrol drove over a roadside bomb and took fire from insurgents.
He was assigned to the 549th Military Police Company based out of Fort Stewart, Georgia.
His mother, Paulina Campbell-Richards, describes him as a religious man who put his family first.
"He loved God and everything he did, he knew was his choice. No one ever forces me to do anything," said Campbell-Richards. "I told him to live your life to the fullest and so there is no regret as to what happened."
Hernandez signed up for the military while he was in college and had been enlisted for two years, in part because so many other family members had served.
"He was all excited about what he was doing," said his mother.
He was about to finish a 14-month tour of duty.
"I just couldn't believe it because it was just only a month left, only a month left to come back. He only had a month left to come back home," said Campbell-Richards. "I was going to make sure he wasn't going to go again."
Campbell-Richards says she'll miss her son's smile, sense of humor, and his loving ways. She says she hopes he is remembered fondly for the ultimate sacrifice he made: putting his life on the line to protect the country he loved.
"Of course he is a hero," she said. "My son volunteered his life to serve this country. He is definitely a hero. They are all heroes, the men who are serving in this war."
Hernandez II's body was flown back to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Thursday.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
source: NY1 | 24 Hour Local News | Top Stories | Queens Soldier Dies In Roadside Bombing Overseas
(http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/100268/queens-soldier-dies-in-roadside-bombing-overseas/Default.aspx)
this is definitely not a good week for me and it got worse earlier when I got the news of the death of one of my old classmates. I went to High School with the guy, I've seen him around, he was a great person.
Story says funeral arrangements haven't been announced, but it's supposed to take place this friday, I'll probably be going, not looking forward to the day.
RIP my friend.