Project Valour-IT

It was the first time I felt whole since I’d woken up wounded in Landstuhl.
–Major Charles "Chuck" Ziegenfuss, on using a voice-controlled laptop

You can make a donation to Valour-IT through Paypal here.

Project Valour-IT, in memory of SFC William V. Ziegenfuss, helps provide voice-controlled/adaptive laptop computers and other technology to support Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines recovering from hand wounds and other severe injuries.  Technology supplied includes:

January 18th, 2006

Dear Mrs. Smith,

It was brought to my attention that your organization, Soldier's Angels, did something very special for the Marines of our Injured Support Battalion. I want to take this time and thank you so much for your contribution to make special memories for those who sacrifice so much.

Your contribution of laptops is quite above and beyond. I am grateful that you have taken time to honor our injured heroes.

[Partial funding for this project was provided by the Texas Resources for Iraq-Afghanistan Deployment (TRIAD) fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation. For more than 40 years, the San Antonio Area Foundation, a publicly supported philanthropic institution, has been administering donors’ funds and granting gifts from those funds to worthy charitable causes that significantly enhance the quality of life in the communities they serve.] 

RUN FOR THE WARRIORS™

 

 

Sunday, November 8, 2009 - 9:30am

REGISTER TODAY!

New Location: Town Hall
Town of Babylon
200 East Sunrise Highway
Lindenhurst, NY 11757

Please join us on November 8th at 9:30 a.m. for the 2nd Annual Long Island Run for the Warriors™ sponsored by Local 338. The 1st annual run was such a success that this year it has been expanded, shutting down streets and doubling the distance. With the help of the Town of Babylon, there are three race venues this year: 10k, 5k, and 1 mi fun run/walk. Come run through the street of Babylon (literally!) and support your wounded service members, their families, and the families of the fallen!

Another new feature this year is the First Responders Challenge!

FIRST RESPONDERS CHALLENGE:
We are calling on all fire, police, and other first responders to compete. Prizes will be given to the team that has raised the most donations and also, the team that recruits the highest number of participants. Start your team today… receive a $5 race registration discount for participating as part of a team.
First Responders! Race to support the cause!

TEAM CHALLENGE:
Team Challenge: Friends, co-workers, family members—want to start a competition to see who can get the most participants and raise the most money for Hope For The Warriors™  Sign up and create a team here

If you would to learn about sponsorship opportunities or need more information about this year's event, please contact: Jack Caffey, Jr. - (516) 852-2955

The mission of Hope for the Warriors™ is to enhance quality of life for US Service Members and their families nationwide who have been adversely affected by injuries or death in the line of duty. Hope for the Warriors™ actively seeks to ensure that the sacrifices of wounded and fallen warriors and their families are never forgotten nor their needs unmet, particularly with regard to the short and long-term care of the severely injured.

On their own, our service members and their families are awe inspiring in the face of their disabilities and hardships - courageous and resolute. However, it is with the support of a grateful nation that they remain unfaltering in their determination and find hope and purpose beyond recovery. As a united support network, all individuals, whether of great or small means, can find an opportunity to honor those who have willingly sacrificed to defend and protect our freedom. We invite you to take part in the inspirational lives of these young men and women and make it known that they never stand alone.

 Please open the youtube link in a seperate window and listen to the song as you read about Sgt John Penich~Forever Young, Always Missed, Never Forgotten.....

One Blood

In the far away fires

Where the hills forever burn
At the feet of our heroes
We try hard to learn
But the lesson is lost there
In the smoke and the mud
That we are one flesh, one breath, one life, one blood

I stood by the river
That ran red with shame
I stood in the killing fields
Where death had no name
I stood with my brothers
And away it flood
And we were one flesh, one breath, one life, one blood

Then I fell to the ground
Tasted ashes on my tongue
Thinking that only the dead
Are forever young

There was peace in the twilight
And for a moment among
It was a world without danger
A world without war
And I will take all your suffering
It will do any good
Cause we are one flesh, one breath, one life, one blood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sgt. John M Penich, U.S. Army, was killed on October 16, 2008 while serving our country in Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan. Sgt. Penich was assigned to Viper Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, as a light infantry rifleman. John had enlisted in the Army in March 2006 and was promoted to Sergeant in March 2008.

Sgt. Penich's awards include the Silver Star Medal, Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Bronze Star (Posthumous), Purple Heart Medal (Posthumous), the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (third award), Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the NATO-ISAF Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Army Parachutist Badge, the Expert Infantry Badge, and the Combat Infantry Badge. Sgt. Penich was also awarded the Brigade Soldier of the Year award in 2007.

He will be greatly missed by all those whose lives he enriched!! He was a devoted son, brother, uncle, friend, and soldier.

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 Richard Engel visits Sgt John Penich's mother on Dec 16 2008-

Report after Viper Co returns home, and the Memorial Poker Run to honor Sgt John M. Penich-

 

After witnessing the 2001 terror attacks, John M. Penich told his family he wanted to serve his country. But his career took a detour managing a hotel, a banquet hall and then a nightclub before enlisting.

"He kind of ignored his calling and bounced around," said his older brother Jeff Penich. "But he had no regrets of joining the Army. It was a calling to him in 2001, and it didn't catch up with him until later."

Penich, 25, of Beach Park, Ill., died Oct. 16 in Karangol Village of wounds suffered from indirect fire. He was a 2001 high school graduate and was assigned to Fort Hood.

Penich enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting, mountain biking, riding four-wheelers and Harleys, and playing paintball.

When sending care packages to him in Afghanistan, Jeff said his brother used to ask for things for his fellow soldiers.

"It was never 'I would like this.' Never, 'I want this.' It was always, 'What can I get for my guys?' He always put everyone before himself, including his country," Jeff said.

By Amanda Kim Stairrett Nov. 14, 2008
Killeen Daily Herald

FORT HOOD – Kathleen Garross spoke to her son, John, several times over one week in mid-October.

"Did you get any new medals?" she asked once.

"Yeah," her son answered. "There should be a big one coming."

"What did you do to earn it?" Garross asked.

"You don't want to know," was the response. "Let me just tell you, I took care of business."

Garross never got to hear from her son just what he did to earn a Silver Star, the third-highest honor given to service members for valor. Sgt. John Penich died Oct. 16 in Karangol Village, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from indirect fire, according to information from the Defense Department.

It wasn't until after his death that Garross learned of her son's heroics. They were heroics that earned him a Silver Star and a Bronze Star Medal with Valor. They were heroics that, on multiple occasions, led Penich to save the lives of his brothers in arms.

Garross and Penich's father, James, received their son's Silver Star on Thursday following a memorial ceremony in his and three others' honor.

Text From the Congressional Record

Mr. John Boozman [R-AR]:  Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a brave American soldier who sacrificed his life for freedom, Sergeant John Penich. Sergeant Penich, by all accounts, was an extraordinary solider whose hard work and determination earned him the title of Soldier of the Year in 2007 for his brigade. His bravery was evident in combat on several occasions. Brigadier General Perry Wiggins has said he knows of three separate instances when Sergeant Penich saved the lives of his comrades. According to newspaper reports, one of his final acts of bravery came on September 6, 2008, when his patrol was attacked by rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire. He showed his courage under fire, taking charge and reestablishing security and saving the lives of his platoon members. His heroics on that day earned him a Silver Star, the third highest honor given to members of the armed services for valor. Five and a half weeks after he earned the Silver Star, he gave the ultimate sacrifice. Sergeant Penich put himself in harm's way to make the world a better place. His commitment to this country is second to none. He wanted to be an officer, and there's no doubt we would have benefited from this young man's tremendous leadership abilities. Sergeant John Penich is a true American hero. I ask that my colleagues keep his family and friends in their thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. END   Penich funeral   Penich funeral   The Fallen Soldier

REPOSTED FROM 10-28-08

My sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Sgt Penich, may he Rest in Peace. 

 

Sgt. John M. Penich, 25, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, TX, "Viper Company"of the United States Army, from Beach Park, IL, was killed in action on October 16, 2008, while defending his country in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. John was born January 6, 1983, in Waukegan, IL. He was a proud soldier and a loving and selfless man. John put everyone before himself. He was highly decorated, including Soldier of the Year 2007 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry, Bronze Star with Valor and Single Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantryman Badge, and had been recommended for the Silver Star.

 

Sgt. Penich lived his life to the fullest. He enjoyed hunting, traveling overseas, and taking motorcycle trips. He graduated with honors from Zion-Benton Township High School in 2001.

John is survived by his mother, Kathy ("Dad" Mike) Garross; father, James (Diane) Penich; brothers, Jimmy (Michelle) Penich and Jeff (Nicole) Penich; sister, Crystal (Pete) Barrett; grandparents, Donald (Pat) Weidner and Roger (Barbara) Garross; great-grandmother, Mary Hall; nieces and nephews, Autumn Long, Bryce and Eva Barrett, and Hailey and Hunter Penich; and the love of his life, Sarah Kelley; also surviving are other family, including, Jill Garross, Kim Zabresky, Kim (Chris) Van Beek, Clarissa Van Beek, Dan (Denise) Garross, Cassie and Chloe Garross, Denise (Dave) Balmes, Allie Balmes, Ray Caddell, Michael (Mary) Penich, Michael (Abbey) Penich, Tim Penich; dear friend, Mikey Kitch; and countless other friends and comrades.

He was preceded in death by grandparents, Elaine Weidner, Michael Penich Sr. and Jennie Penich; and great-grandparents, Katherine Garross and Ned Hall; and great-great-grandmother, Eva Gallup.

 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., at Our Lady of Humility Church, 10655 Wadsworth Rd., Beach Park. Interment with military honors will follow at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion. Visitation will be Monday, October 27, from 3:00-9:00 p.m. at Congdon Funeral Home, 3012 Sheridan Rd., Zion, IL 60099.

Memorial donations are suggested to the Sgt. John M. Penich Memorial Fund: (for the college education of John's nieces and nephews c/o First Midwest Bank, 3303 Sheridan Rd., Zion, IL 60099. Please sign the online guest book at www.congdonfuneralhome.com.

Sign the legacy page or condolence page

 

 

 

“This is just something that happened to me,” Job said. “I can’t change it. What are you going to do, stop living? It just made me take a different approach. I had goals and plans that had to change.”

 

 

"He didn't back down from any challenge," said a friend, Tyler Lein, of Scottsdale, Ariz.

Ryan Job, who grew up in Issaquah, Washington died Thursday morning, Sept. 24th after major reconstructive surgery at Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix. He was 28.

Mr. Job's younger brother, Aaron, served three tours of duty in Iraq with the Marines. The Seattle Times profiled the Job family during Aaron Job's deployments in 2003 and 2004.

 

A story on Ryan Job, a former (medically retired) Navy SEAL, reaching the summit of Mount Rainier appeared in July 2008. Three combat injured veterans - two blind, one missing his right leg - we are talking about superior performance! All three veterans: Ryan Job, Chad Jukes and Joey Martinez III summited Mt. Rainier. Less than 50% of all climbers make it to the summit of Mt. Rainier. Due to the extraordinary makeup of these vets and their climbing team, the group made the 8-hour grueling climb getting to the summit (14,410 feet). They spent about an hour at the summit, then started their descent about 9 am. and arrived back in Camp Muir at 2:55 pm, for a total climb time of around 12 hours.

 

 

 

His mother, Debbie Job, of Issaquah, said her son had taken on the challenge of blindness with the same strength with which he confronted other challenges in his life.

"He was determined not to be a disabled guy," his mother said Friday by phone from Arizona.

 

Ryan Job prefered to focus on what he could do. The Issaquah native returned to Washington state this past July on a new mission - help his fellow war wounded conquer Mount Rainier. Photos are on flickr. See the July 2009 interview video clip -http://www.king5.com/video/index.html?nvid=377438

Ryan graduated from Jones International University with a 4.0 after he was wounded and was working for General Dynamics in Arizona.

Ryan Job underwent an eight-hour surgery Monday to rebuild his face and repair his eye socket. The recovery seemed to be proceeding smoothly, his mother said, though her son reported some discomfort Wednesday night. A nurse checked on him at 3:30 a.m. Thursday. He was found unresponsive at 5 a.m. She said the hospital had not determined the cause of death.

"It wasn't supposed to happen like this," said Debbie Job. "It's a total shock."

Neighbors of the Job family on the Sammamish Plateau recalled Ryan Job as a strong, physically active young man who had been determined to join the elite Navy special-operations force, despite the grueling training regimen. Mr. Job regularly swam across Beaver Lake a few miles from his home and ran for hours before dawn, said Neil Iovino, a neighbor who watched the Job boys grow up.

"His goal was to be a Navy SEAL and it didn't matter how hard it was," Iovino said.

 

Ryan Job was born in 1981, the eldest of three children. He graduated from Sammamish High School in 1999 and joined the Navy in 2002. Mutual friends in San Diego, where he trained for the SEALs, introduced him to his future wife, Kelly. The couple married in 2007.

 

Ryan Job was on patrol in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006 when a sniper's bullet struck his rifle. Pieces of the shattered weapon tore through his face, destroying one eye and severing the optic nerves of the other. [Ryan Job was wounded on the same mission as Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class (SEAL)  Marc Lee, who later died and was posthumously awarded the Silver Star-Read more in the book SEALs: The U.S. Navy's Elite Fighting Force (pg 202) by Mir Bahmanyar, Chris Osmani]

After his injury, Mr. Job spent time in military hospitals in Maryland, Florida and finally Palo Alto, Calif.

He and Kelly moved to Arizona in 2007 with the help of the Sentinels of Freedom Scholarship Foundation. The California-based organization assists armed-forces veterans severely injured in the line of duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

The foundation found a condo for the couple to live in, arranged for furniture and helped Mr. Job enroll in an online college program to complete the business degree he'd begun at the University of Washington.

"He was a great spokesman for the organization," said Lein, whose father, Howard Lein, founded the Arizona chapter of the Sentinels.

A 2007 story in The Arizona Republic quoted Mr. Job as saying he and his wife wanted to return the generosity others had shown them.

 

"Once I'm back on my feet, we'd like to help the next group of guys make the same transition."

Debbie Job said her daughter-in-law is pregnant with the couple's first child. She is due in May.

His brother, Aaron Job works with the Orange County Sheriff's Department and hopes to find a job in the Seattle area, his mother said.

In addition to his mother, wife and brother, Mr. Job is survived by his father, Eric Job, his sister, Kelsie, and his grandmother Barbara McCormick of Sammamish.

Funeral Services will be on Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 11:00 AM. Scottsdale Bible Church 7601 E Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ. A celebration of life will be held from 6:00 PM to 8:00PM (1800 hrs to 2000 hrs)

Marriott Hotel 16770 North Perimeter Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
(480) 502-3836

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to either Camp Patriot, www.camppatriot.org; Sentinels of Freedom, www.sentinelsoffreedom.org; or the Naval Special Warfare Foundation, www.nswfoundation.org.

 

From Robert Vera, Co-Founder, Iron90.com:

 What are the odds?

I believe that there are no coincidences in life. There are people and events that shape our lives and things are as they should be for a reason. Perhaps this is our destiny. There are people who come into our lives that change them forever. Their presence is powerful, it sends a ripple through us and all who we meet. Their names alone are enough to motivate us to set worthy goals and to press on to finish difficult tasks. Ryan Job is this person in my life. Ryan and I met this past summer, the meeting was totally "by coincidence". In June a friend was in town visiting me from Boston. What are the odds that anyone would come visit me in Phoenix in the summer?

He had never been to Phoenix before and he came to work with me to train a group of clients at 5:30 one morning. One of my clients later emailed to tell me that her friend trains with a former Navy SEAL named Ryan Job and wanted to know if my friend knew him. I asked Steve and he smiled wide and said yes, he and Ryan were good friends. This was in June 2008, my friend Steven had not seen Ryan since BUDS training back in 2003. What are the odds?

Ryan and I met and began training together to prepare him for his goal; the ascent of the 14, 411 foot  Mount Rainier. What are the odds that a blind guy would be able to climb a mountain?

 Early each Saturday morning we put on our Heart Rate Monitors and hiked together on the various peaks that surround Phoenix. He would lead, I would call out directions from behind with my hand on his shoulder. We would pass young able bodied people all the way to the top where we would turn around to descend now facing the people that we had passed.

On the way up many were curious why I had my hand on his shoulder telling him where and how to step, now seeing Ryan they realized from his scare and closed eyes that he is blind. What are the odds that blind guy would pass you hiking?

On one occasion the people that we passed stood aside to let us come down and then without any warning or a single word, they broke out into spontaneous applause. Ryan asked me what was going on. I did not want a Navy SEAL to know that I was crying so I muttered, "keep going, I will tell you later". Tears streamed down my face as I walked behind him thinking; who is leading who?

My favorite book in the Bible is the Book of Job. It's about a man who has lost everything and finds the courage to walk by faith not by sight. What are the odds that now a blind man named Job was walking in front of me leading me by his faith not by sight?

Many who pray, including me, often request a sign or a clue that they are doing in life what they should be doing. Apparently, God knows that I sometimes miss his subtle suggestions, so he found a blind guy named Job to lead me early one morning on a desert trail then gathered a group of total strangers together to clap loudly as we passed by so that I would not miss his clue. (Thanks for tip, I got it).

On July 10, 2008, a little less than two years after Navy SEAL Ryan Job cheated death on a rooftop in Iraq, he stood atop the roof of Mount Rainier (See Seattle Times Story). As he did two F-15 jets flew over him to salute his achievement. What are the odds?

Ryan has gone on to challenge himself in other areas of life, he creates his own opportunities because he works hard at everything he does. We are all very grateful for Ryan's and for his fellow veterans service to our country. We are also grateful to all the organizations that support them especially Camp Patriot.

What are the odds that Ryan Job will continue to inspire more people and go on to conquer more summits? Very good!

 

Ryan is on the right

 

September 24, 2009-I hope you are soaring among the clouds, able to watch over your loved ones from above. Rest in Peace.-LIG

Today's Wounded Warrior Project's Soldier Ride in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday September 26th is dedicated to the memory of father, husband and soldier, James "Tre" Ponder

Tre made the ultimate sacrifice for his brothers in arms on a rescue mission in eastern Afghanistan. The date was June 28, 2005. He was killed when his MH-47D helicopter was shot down by enemy fire on it's way to rescue a Navy SEAL team that had run in to trouble. He was a member of the Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR).

 

From his wife, Leslie Ponder:

Tre was in Afghanistan only to train his fellow soldiers, not to fly. But flying was him and when the opportunity arose for him to be on an aircraft and the QRF (the quick reactionary force), he jumped at the chance. His aircraft dropped off a SEAL team on the mountain and as always, promised those men that if they needed him, he would be there. And so when on June 28, 2005 there was a call for help Tre and his men quickly and without hesitation answered the call. That would be his last earthly mission....his helicopter was shot down by a RPG and all on board were killed. The hero that called for help was Lt. Mike Murphy...a soldier that was honored in the Empire State Challenge.

"Greater love hath no man than this,
that a man lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13

 

Tre was born in Alabama on June 24, 1969 and he grew up in Franklin, TN. He graduated from Battle Ground Academy in 1987 and attended Auburn University. He married Leslie Miller in 1994, they were married in Franklin. Tre was a CH-47 Chinook crew chief and was accepted into 160 Special Operation Aviation Regiment in 1992, and stationed at Ft. Campbell, KY. He held various positions within the Regiment.

Tre was the proud father of Samantha (born 1997) and Elizabeth (born 1999)...Tre worshipped his girls. He called them and his wife "his three crazy girlz". His face would light up at the sight of Samantha and Elizabeth...his family was his everything.

His awards and decorations include: the Air Medal with Valorous device, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Valorous Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Good Conduct Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal and an Air Medal with Valor device.

 

A Hunter Army Airfield hangar has a new name honoring the memory of an eight-person Night Stalker crew [including MSG James "Tre" Ponder] who died in combat on June 28, 2005. The 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) hangar, formerly known as Building 7902, is now named 'Turbine 33' after the aircraft crew's call sign. It was formally dedicated in a ceremony at Hunter Army Airfield, Ga., on June 7

 

.

Known as the Night Stalkers, the 160th is an elite aviation unit deployed in nearly every conflict since Grenada in 1983 to transport Special Forces units around the world by night in specially modified helicopters. It specializes in flying over water and developed many flying techniques now standard to Army aviators.

The secretive unit was formed in 1981 following the botched rescue attempt of hostages in Iran. It was not until a decade later that the military acknowledged the unit existed.

 

Keep reading about Tre here.

Donations to Soldier Ride can be made by sponsoring TEAM TRE

To learn more about Soldier Ride and it's mission, click here.

 

Joseph Gonzales Sr. spoke about his firstborn child as the family prepared to bury him in Tucson later in the week.

Gonzales Jr. and a fellow soldier were killed Saturday by an improvised explosive device in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan.

On Tuesday his remains were at Dover Air Force Base, awaiting a flight to Tucson. He will be buried at South Lawn Cemetery, 5401 S. Park Ave.

Gonzales Sr. said that whenever his elder son looked at the photograph of himself as a toddler in a miniature military uniform taken at a local mall, "he would say that was destiny for him."

As he trained at Fort Bragg, his father said, his affinity for his new fighting skills were reflected on his MySpace page:

One song title he posted, "Bullet With Your Name," by a group called Scars of Life, was typical, his father pointed out.

 

He considered his enlistment in the Army in Phoenix at age 17 his birthday gift to himself, his father said. Gonzales Sr. and his wife gave their permission so their son didn't have to wait another year.

Gonzales Sr. said his own brother served in Kuwait but that neither he nor Gonzales Jr.'s mother, Ana, wanted their son to go to war.

"We were trying to go the opposite way with him," he said. "But we couldn't stop it so we went with him" and supported his military commitment.

"After he saw the towers go down (on 9/11) it changed him alot," his father said. "It was payback time for him. That's what he wanted, to get ready for war."

Gonzales Sr. said the family's only remaining son, Jorge, 15, wants to join the miltary, too.

"He wants to do payback for his brother," Gonzales said.

Gonzales Jr. attended Sunnyside High School and played football for two years. At 16, he enrolled in a National Guard-operated school in Carefree.

He was a cadet there until his 17th birthday in March 2007.

"He wanted to go into the Marines. I didn't want him to," his father said. "I tried talking him into the Navy or Air Force, something farther away from (the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq)."

In the Army, he wanted to go to Army Airborne School, "but they didn't have any openings," Gonzale Sr. said. "They had an infantry spot, so he took that."

He trained in California for a July deployment in Operation Enduring Freedom.

He saw his family last on July 4th, when he visited in Tucson with his family and cousins.

Gonzales said his son had "an extremely large heart" and "would try to help the homeless out with money. If he had it, he would give it to them. He was one of those types."

Laura Garcia, a friend from their time at Sunnyside, learned about his death while watching TV Monday.

The two have been corresponding on MySpace since he joined the Army. They had a standing lunch date for whenever he returned to Tucson.

He wanted to be a Tucson Police SWAT officer once his Army commitment was fulfilled, she said.

"I am very proud of him and thank him so much for serving his country," she said.

Omar Perez said they played football at Sunnyside two years.

"He was a great friend, always smiling and having fun," he said in an e-mail.

"He moved and all we heard from him was that he joined the Army. Then one day, a group of soldiers came to our school and talked to us about the Army."

One of the soldiers was Gonzales. "That was the last time I spent time with him," Perez said.

 

 

Afghan war claims Pvt. Gonzales of Tucson

Army infantryman Joseph F. Gonzales, a Tucson native serving in Afghanistan, told his family when he last saw it July 4 not to worry about him.

On Tuesday, he was buried with full military honors at South Lawn Cemetery, 5401 S. Park Ave.

Gonzales, an 18-year-old Army private, was killed Sept. 20 in the Korengal Valley by an improvised explosive device, according to the Department of Defense. Another soldier, Staff Sgt. Nathan Cox of Walcott, Iowa, also died in the blast.

 

After he was sent to Afghanistan in July, Gonzales kept in close touch with his family, exchanging e-mail or text messages with his father daily, family friends said.

He spoke with his dad, Joseph Gonzales Sr., the day before he died.

Gonzales was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

The medals were presented Tuesday by Army Brig. Gen. Susan Lawrence, who attended the service with a Fort Huachuca honor guard and family members and friends.

Among them was Pvt. Jermaine Decker of Logan, Iowa, who served with Gonzales and was shot in the thigh in Afghanistan a month before Gonzales was killed. He was too overcome with emotion to talk about his friend.

Decker sat, crutches at his side, with the family at the church service at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 602 W. Ajo Way, and with the family at the cemetery.

His Army brothers called him "Gonzo" but to his family he was "The Bear," Lawrence said, after presenting Gonzales' parents with his medals.

She said his last duty was "a tough mission" that he volunteered for. "They knew what they were going to face," she said.

"He was always the first to stand up and say, 'Send me.' "

"Nothing was going to stop him," said Joe Garcia, a family friend. "He wanted to join the Army at 17 and he wanted to fight for his country."

"I told him, mijo (my son), be careful," said Mary Garcia, Joe Garcia's wife. Joe Garcia worked with Gonzales' father for several years in a janitorial service.

Mary Garcia said Gonzales told his family about two weeks ago that he was coming home on leave in a few days.

"He said, 'Don't worry about me. I'll be back.' He came back. . . ," she said.

The Garcias learned of his death on TV news.

Their daughter Rosa, 17, a Sunnyside High School student, said she's going to join the Army soon, in honor of Gonzales.

When she heard he was dead, she said she asked: "Why did it have to be someone I know?"

Mary Garcia said Joseph Gonzales Sr. urged Rosa on Tuesday to change her mind.

"Don't go," he told her, she said in an interview after Gonzales' silver casket was lowered into the ground.

Gonzales' family members each laid a white rose in the casket before it was sealed.

The casket was covered with a full-length image of the American flag blowing in the wind.

The body was carried to South Lawn Cemetery in a 19th-century horse-drawn hearse.

Church bells tolled slowly as an Army honor guard from Fort Huachuca escorted the casket to the hearse.

About 150 relatives and friends of Gonzales and parishioners of the church attended the mariachi Mass there.

Mariachi Mixteca and the Rev. Robert Gonzalez praised Gonzales for his service to his country.

Gonzalez prayed for "all our sons and daughters" who are serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Claudia Lorena Ballesteros, a cousin of Gonzales, said in Spanish that she was grateful to the Army for all it had done for the family.

She also thanked "all the soldiers" who came to the funeral.

Gonzales joined the Army in April 2007 as an infantryman and had been assigned to the 1st Infantry Division since October 2007, according to the public affairs staff at Fort Hood in Texas.

Link to the video of his funeral procession is here