TAPS
Amazing Grace
Posted on 05/09/2006 8:36:55 PM PDT by SandRat
FORT HUACHUCA — “Bobby died doing what he knew best, being a soldier,” Chaplain (Maj.) Frank O’Grady said.
As the soldier’s family listened, the Catholic priest said the combat death of 1st Sgt. Bobby Mendez, Rob to his loved ones, is sorrowful when seen through human eyes. To all of Mendez’s family, his wife, children, mother, father, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as the extended relationship called soldiers, “It is a sad day,” the chaplain said.
But, God’s compassion is a wonderful, joyous thing and now, the soldier is serving along side of Christ, he said during Monday’s funeral at the Main Post Chapel.
And, eventually the earthly family Mendez has left behind will join him, O’Grady exclaimed.
During his 19 years of service, Mendez lived the Army values and his death has not made those values disappear, the chaplain said.
For Mendez, his job was always the mission, the priest remarked.
For the family their toughest day began early, as they gathered at the Hatfield Funeral Home.
The ride from the mortuary to the post included 120 bikers, representing the Patriot Guard Riders, the American Legion Riders and the Harley Owners Group.
American, service and state flags flying from the bikes added color to the somber proceedings.
At the chapel, the American flags were removed from the bikes as the riders created a patriotic cordon as the first sergeant’s casket was removed from the hearse by members of the fort honor guard.
Waiting for the soldier’s mortal remains were Maj. Gen. Barbara Fast, commander of the Intelligence Center and the fort, and Command Sgt. Maj. Franklin Saunders, the center’s and fort’s senior noncommissioned officer.
They saluted as the casket was taken from the hearse.
Fast went up to Mendez’s widow, Jennifer, hugging her. Slowly the soldier’s remains were taken into the chapel.
As it went down the center aisle, the family followed, with Fast’s left arm around Jennifer, and her right around Mendez’s daughter Thyiena. Son Quentin, who lost his father on his 12th birthday, and younger daughter Chyanne walked with mother and sister.
Behind the widow and children and the general came Saunders, escorting Mendez’s mother, Gladys Arce.
Although the Catholic Mass was simple, it was full of symbolism with messages of death and resurrection.
First Sgt. Pete Carrion, a long-time friend of Mendez, read passages from the Bible.
During one of his readings, the first sergeant of Headquarters Company of the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade, lost his composure. Tears flowed and his voice cracked.
Later during the Mass, his composure returned, Carrion said he first met Mendez 18 years ago. During their time in the Army, their paths crossed and during one of the reconnection in the late 1990s, Mendez was an instructor at the Noncommissioned Officer Academy on Fort Huachuca and he was a drill sergeant.
It was the time together that Carrion said he would remember about Mendez.
“He was a great father, a great husband and a great American,” Carrion said.
Looking over at the flag-draped casket, he talked personally to his friend within the coffin.
“You will be missed by your family, by me and all you have touched. Take care,” Carrion said.
It was on April 27 while on an evening patrol near Baghdad when Mendez, taking on the responsibility as a convoy gunner, was killed by an improvised explosive device that detonated near his vehicle.
Fast commented that a large family lost someone important.
Looking at the immediate family in the pews, she said, “He is part of our (Army) family.”
His unit, Company A, 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division from Fort Hood, Texas, held a memorial service for Mendez in Baghdad, the general noted.
She read a number of vignettes sent by the unit’s soldiers, remembering Mendez.
Perhaps the most poignant was one that stated as a first sergeant, Mendez, “Love us like a patriarch and laughed with us as a friend.”
To a person, the late intelligence analyst was the best “top,” as a first sergeant is called, with one remarking, “we have the world’s best, we crave his approval,” the general noted.
And, for those he loved, Fast said they should know Mendez hasn’t really left.
“He’s smiling down on us and saying, ‘It’s OK. I’m watching,’ ” she said.
While soft crying was heard in the chapel, one small child, a babe in arms, provided an air of innocence.
Her eyes shimmered as she looked around, smiling at any one who would look at her.
She chewed on a package of tissues, something adults were using to wipe away their tears.
It was then time to take Mendez out of the chapel.
It was a short ride to the old post cemetery.
Not far from a statue titled “Mourning Hearts, A Soldier’s Family” by Jessica McCain, Mendez’s wife, children, parents, sisters, brothers nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and soldiers gathered.
In the tree-shaded cemetery, a bird chirped as a light wind moved through the leaves.
There were some formalities in this part of the ceremonial service.
Fast made a few comments, ending with a request that those present to join her in a round of applause for Mendez’s service and for his family.
The result was a long, loud round of hand-clapping.
Then came time for the general to present Bronze Star Medals and Purple Heart Medals.
Mendez’s Bronze Star Medal were presented to his wife, mother and father. It was the second Bronze Star Medal he had received during his career.
Purple Heart Medals were presented to his mother, Gladys, and father, Amado Mendez.
A Purple Heart was first presented to Quentin, and as he took the medal he began to cry. The general gently kissed him on the cheek.
As the honor guard stood at attention by the casket, holding the American flag above it, a 21-rifle volley, one given each fallen member of the military, followed by Taps, the song ending a day and a GI’s final farewell, echoed through the cemetery.
The bikers who had escorted Mendez’s hearse on to the post and up to the cemetery, stood at attention. In each hand was an American flag, as again a cordon of honor was formed.
The honor guard slowly folded the flag from the casket.
Besides the American flag presentation, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano issued a proclamation of thanks for Mendez’s service and had a flag flown in the soldier’s honor over the state capitol, which was presented to the first sergeant’s widow.
As the red and white stripes of the U.S. flag disappeared into the blue and white triangle formed by the banner’s union, the soldiers crisply ensured the edges were sharp. Forming the triangle out of the flag honors the tri-corner hat worn by Revolutionary War soldiers.
Fast presented the first U.S. flag, the one that had draped the casket to Jennifer. Two other, pre-folded flags were presented to mother and father.
But before the presentations to the parents, one of the honor guard soldiers, took each flag and placed it on the casket, symbolizing its connection with the soldier’s remains inside.
With each presentation, Jennifer, Gladys and Amado heard those words, which equate to finality at a military service as the general said: “On behalf of a grateful nation ...”
Herald/Review senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.
The ride from the mortuary to the post included 120 bikers, representing the Patriot Guard Riders, the American Legion Riders and the Harley Owners Group.
American, service and state flags flying from the bikes added color to the somber proceedings.
At the chapel, the American flags were removed from the bikes as the riders created a patriotic cordon as the first sergeant’s casket was removed from the hearse by members of the fort honor guard.
BTTT
It was an amazing service. I'm glad I was able to participate in bringing honor to this American hero.
Thanks for going Dr. Ed.
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