Rest in Peace
Army Pfc. Andrew Velez
My prayers go up for all who now mourn the passing of Andrew.
Blessings,
trussell
If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.
Posted on 07/26/2006 9:36:57 AM PDT by WestTexasWend
LUBBOCK -- Less than two years ago, Roy Velez got the worst news a father could get: His oldest son was dead, killed during combat in Iraq.
This week, his pain only deepened with news that his youngest son had died in Afghanistan.
Military officials notified the Velez family Tuesday of the death of Army Pfc. Andrew Velez, 22. His brother, Army Spc. Jose A. Velez, 23, died in November 2004 in Fallujah when his unit came under fire while clearing an enemy stronghold.
"I can't be angry. I feel like my heart's been pulled out," Roy Velez said Tuesday. "We've done what the Lord allowed us to do for our country."
The military does not have a regulation prohibiting the deployment of family members at the same time. But families can request that relatives return home if one is killed or disabled.
After his brother's death, the military gave Andrew Velez the option of not returning to combat, Roy Velez said. But Andrew Velez told his father he wanted to return to fight, his father said.
"You always do it for your buddy next to you," Roy Velez recalled his younger son saying.
Roy Velez last talked to Andrew Velez on the phone Saturday. His son told him he'd had "six close calls" as they tracked Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan, and that he was tired.
He was scheduled to return for 10 days of leave during the last week of August. "He said, 'Daddy, I'll see you in August,'" Roy Velez said.
Andrew Velez joined the Army about five years ago. He graduated in 2002 from Estacado High School in Lubbock. During his school years, he wrestled, played football and basketball and ran track. He also loved playing golf.
His older brother, Jose, joined the Army after graduating from the same high school in 2000 and hoped to attend medical school one day. He played football and was an honor student.
After his death, Jose Velez was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star and a Silver Star. But burglars stole them all from his parents' home in June.
On Monday, the medals were replaced, thanks to the assistance of U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer, Roy Velez said. "And today at 12:30 I learned my other son was killed in action," he said.
Andrew Velez's survivors include his wife, Veronica Velez; a daughter, Jasmine Jade, 5; and two sons, Jordan Davis, 3, and Jacob Andrew, 2.
Very sad. Would be good to post the details of the funeral when they are available, I have a feeling many here will attend.
Bless your heart.
I have to go to Lubbock next month on business. Would you please freepmail me on the location of his grave so I can pay my respects?
Same Here...
I'm an old vet who believes that evil must be fought and few answer the call. Those who do answer that call are given the greatest honors after their duty, for the fight against evil is what distinguishes those brave souls after this short life.
Bill, my heart hurts for you. But, take pride in knowing that your late son is one of God's finest.
http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/072706/loc_072706039.shtml
Fallen brothers gave their all in war and in life
BY JASON WOMACK The last time Sarah Harris saw Andrew Velez, he was dressed in uniform carrying the casket of his brother.
They spoke briefly that day about the war that took Andrew's brother Freddy.
"He told me he wanted to go back immediately and finish the job his brother had started," she said.
The 22-year-old Army specialist left for Afghanistan in March. On Monday, he was shot and died there.
The Velez family has now lost two sons in war. Jose "Freddy" Velez, a 23-year-old Army corporal, was killed in 2004 while clearing an enemy strong point in Iraq.
The Army informed the family Tuesday afternoon that Andrew Velez, Freddy's younger brother, was dead.
Harris, an English teacher at Estacado High School, taught both men.
"Both of them will be remembered as heroes," she said. "This school will not forget them or the price their family has paid."
Andrew was bright and energetic, Harris remembered. He and his brother had limitless potential. "There was nothing these guys couldn't accomplish," she said.
Estacado High School named a scholarship in honor of Freddy in 2005. The school displayed his football jersey in the hallway and newspaper articles that told the story of his death so that the students who never knew him would know of his sacrifice.
Now they will find a way to remember Andrew.
"These kids volunteered. They weren't forced into service," David Moody, a football coach at Lubbock High School, said, adding that students should remember how these brothers stepped forward to serve their country.
Moody coached Andrew at Estacado, he marvelled at his strength of character, his strong will and his respectful nature.
He said Andrew represented his family, his father and his country well.
Moody and Harris have both lost students during their long teaching and coaching careers. But the Velez brothers were the first lost to combat.
Roy Velez was still reeling from the news of his son's death. He slept little Tuesday night.
"I feel beat up on the inside," he said.
Several people stopped by the Velez home. The house was filled with people Wednesday morning and friends came and went throughout the day.
"It seems like only yesterday that I was over there talking to them about Freddy," said Louis Kelley, the longtime Estacado head football coach who coached both boys on the gridiron.
Kelley spoke at Freddy's funeral and he plans to be at Andrew's.
"They are part of me," he said. "I coached them. They were my boys."
Andrew and Freddy were the kind of people you wanted to be around, he said. They were dedicated and committed.
"It's so unfair and unfortunate ... that these kids that could have been great leaders were taken from us so young," Kelley said. "They take the best from us sometimes. They were the best."
I forwarded your idea to the two writers for the Lubbock paper.
Darn, there is such a contrast between our brave soldiers and our cowardly liberals. I'm amazed.
I haven't heard any details of the service or burial. There was another article this morning in the Lubbock paper:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1673126/posts
I saw their dad on TV here yesterday (Thu) and then posted a small note from an AP story on a military thread. It wasn't the right place to post it (happy, celebratory anniversary thread) and they suggested I start a new thread about it.
I searched Velez and some other WOT keywords and nothing came up, so I started a new thread. Again, I'm sorry.
I also made a Light-A-Candle page for them - "Velez Family - Patriots" and sent the link to the Avalanche-Journal so someone might print the messages for the family when they can read them.
Please go here to visit and leave a good word or just light a candle. Thanks.
Oh, no.
http://www.klbk13.tv/news/default.asp?mode=shownews&id=1707
Military Investigating Death of Lubbock Soldier
The family of a fallen soldier received news on Tuesday that their second son was tragically killed while serving in the Middle East.
Roy Velez, whose other son, Freddy, died in November 2004 in Iraq, received the news from a military representative around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday that his other son, Andrew, was killed while serving in Afghanistan.
"I asked him, `It`s about Andrew?`. He said, `Yes, let`s go inside.` I didn`t want to. I told him, `Tell me here. What happened to Andrew?`, and he said Andrew was dead," said Velez.
"I fell to the floor ... he was my baby boy, my last son."
According to the Pentagon, Andrew, an Army Corporal, died on Tuesday, July 25th. The Department of Defense says his death was from a non-combat related gunshot wound.
A spokesperson for Fort Irwin, California, where Velez was based, said they are investigating into the causes of his death. It will take several weeks for the military to determine how Velez died.
The fallen hero`s body returned to the United States on Thursday. Funeral services are still pending, but the family says they will be held sometime next week.
The 22-year-old wanted to serve his country and left in March for Afghanistan. It was his second deployment and he leaves behind a wife and three children.
Both Andrew and Freddy grew up in Lubbock. Both wanted to serve their country and, according to Roy, both brothers died doing what they wanted to do.
Army Specialist Freddy Velez died November 13, 2004 in Iraq, when his unit, part of the 1st Cavalry Division, came under fire in Fallujah. He was 23.
Freddy earned two Purple Hearts, as well as a Bronze and Silver Star.
Roy said he never imagined that he would lose both his sons to war.
"It (feels) like somebody raked the inside of me with clawed nails and tore everything out," he said. "There`s nothing on the inside of me."
Losing both Freddy and Andrew has left Roy beaten and broken and the pain is unbearable.
"I`m not the only parent. I lost both my boys. I can`t call out to them," he said. "I can`t have my boys by my side."
The Velez family says they are taking it one day at a time, and are proud of both his sons. They say, in spite of their loss, they still support the war and our troops. They have received calls and e-mails from across the country, each expressing their condolences and prayers.
University Medical Center is planning a prayer service on Friday at 9 a.m. in the UMC chapel. The hospital has also established a special memorial fund for the family.
Air Date: 7/27/2006
Reporter: Stacia Willson
Rest in Peace
Army Pfc. Andrew Velez
My prayers go up for all who now mourn the passing of Andrew.
Blessings,
trussell
If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.
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R I P
Army Pfc. Andrew Velez
Army Spc. Jose A. Velez
I am eternally grateful.
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Those are lovely, galz. AMEN.
Thank you. ((hugs))
{{{Dita}}}
HUGS
How are you?
also, thank you.
my heart was weeping as I read this.
This page gives a link to an e-mail for those wishing to send condolences to the family.
http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=5206393&nav=3w6y
My prayers are with the family of these two brave young men.
I join in prayer for this family!
If you hear of a funeral service for this brave soldier, PM me and let me know. I'd like to be there if possible. Thanks!
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