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Lubbock family mourns the loss of a second son
Associated Press ^ | Wednesday, July 26, 2006 | Betsy Blaney

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.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; US: Texas; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: afathersgrief; andrewvelez; bandofbrothers; brotherskilled; death; fallen; fallenheros; joseavelez; lastfullmeasure; lubbock; militaryfamilies; rip; sacrifice; sonskilled; velezheros; wardeath; wardeaths; warinafghanistan; wariniraq
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To: WestTexasWend

Words fail. God Bless Roy Velez for raising two such wonderful sons. What a loss to him, to their family, and to our nation. RIP


21 posted on 07/26/2006 11:11:10 AM PDT by EDINVA
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To: WestTexasWend

I sent them a card. It is heart breaking. Those boys both were so proud of what they were doing.


22 posted on 07/26/2006 11:12:02 AM PDT by JFC (Land of the FREE because of our BRAVE)
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To: WestTexasWend
May the Lord bless and keep those precious little children who lost their Daddy, and may they always know him as one of this country's great heroes.

My heart goes out to this family who lost two beloved sons. The father's attitude towards his sons' commitment, attitude, and sacrifice are a breath of fresh air after the increased publicity of those who lash out in anger and threaten to sue the governments of their soldier sons.

To the Velez family, a grateful nation honors your sons.

23 posted on 07/26/2006 11:13:47 AM PDT by shezza (God bless our military heroes)
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To: shezza

Amen.


24 posted on 07/26/2006 11:35:50 AM PDT by TheDon (The Democratic Party is the party of TREASON!)
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To: yellowdoghunter

Yes, I agree. And .. their mom (who was a widow) was very proud of her sons and their support of America.

It was this tragedy that caused the military to begin a program to offer an opt out for the last surviving male of the family. I also remember MASH doing a segment on that - and Radar was sent home (as the last surviving male of his family).

At least this family has 2 more sons.


25 posted on 07/26/2006 11:59:25 AM PDT by CyberAnt (Drive-By Media: Fake news, fake documents, fake polls)
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To: WestTexasWend; JFC; Army Air Corps; GW and Twins Pawpaw; Ranald S. MacKenzie; ...

I heard this last night and it just broke my heart.
I don't know the family, but I might just go to that funeral.


26 posted on 07/26/2006 12:02:24 PM PDT by hispanarepublicana (Don't fall for the soft bigotry of assuming all Hispanics are pro-amnesty. www.dontspeakforme.org)
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To: hispanarepublicana

Carry our prayers and respect with you if you can.


27 posted on 07/26/2006 12:06:15 PM PDT by KC Burke
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To: WestTexasWend

Prayers and tears for this family. Heartbreaking, just heartbreaking.


28 posted on 07/26/2006 12:06:29 PM PDT by Chena (I'm not young enough to know everything.)
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To: WestTexasWend

Prayers for this family.


29 posted on 07/26/2006 12:07:45 PM PDT by WV Mountain Mama (God bless Israel and their men and women fighting against an evil, cowardly enemy.)
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To: WestTexasWend
You can get video by clicking here: http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=5196790
7/25/06
Second Velez Son Killed In Action

Velez family in Lubbock has now lost two sons fighting in the war in Iraq. You'll recall their son, Freddy Velez was killed in Fallujah in 2004.

At 12:30 Tuesday afternoon, the family learned their other son, Andrew Velez was killed while fighting in Afghanistan. NewsChannel 11 spoke to Andrew's father Roy Velez back in February when he learned Andrew wanted to continue his military duty.

Roy Velez said he told Andrew, "I said I don't like your decision son. I said, but if that's what you want and that's what you have in your heart, then I'm behind you 100%."

Andrew is the second Velez son to die in the war. Their other son, Jose is also serving in the military. We spoke with Congressman Randy Neugebauer who said a member of his staff is with the Velez family.

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30 posted on 07/26/2006 12:07:49 PM PDT by hispanarepublicana (Don't fall for the soft bigotry of assuming all Hispanics are pro-amnesty. www.dontspeakforme.org)
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To: KC Burke

I didn't realize until just now that there is a THIRD brother serving, or am I reading this wrong?


31 posted on 07/26/2006 12:08:57 PM PDT by hispanarepublicana (Don't fall for the soft bigotry of assuming all Hispanics are pro-amnesty. www.dontspeakforme.org)
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To: JFC

Thank you, WestTexasWend, for posting this heart-breaking story of sacrifice of one family. If a Lubbock bank is setting up a fund for this soldiers family, I'd like to contribute, so please forward any info anyone might have. Usually the people of the Plains are very good at taking care of each other.


32 posted on 07/26/2006 12:13:52 PM PDT by kittymyrib
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To: WestTexasWend
"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."

God bless your sons, Mr. and Mrs. Velez, and God bless y'all. Thank you for your sacrifices. You raised 2 fine men, patriots, warriors.

33 posted on 07/26/2006 12:14:12 PM PDT by eyespysomething (How do I set a laser printer to stun?)
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Comment #34 Removed by Moderator

To: WestTexasWend
My prayers for their family. What a devastating loss, to lose two. I lost my Marine son a year ago last Friday in Iraq. I have another who was in the Army and is now out, and I cannot imagine losing both. Last Friday night some of my son's platoon members who were with him when he was killed, came by and we remembered and honored him. They gave me a DVD of their unit's adventures in Iraq, including video of my son and the memorial service they held for him in Iraq. It was very moving.
35 posted on 07/26/2006 12:19:47 PM PDT by billintexas (Dont have one yet. I'll think about it.)
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To: kittymyrib

Estacado High School in Lubbock has established a scholarship fund in Freddy's (the first brother to die) honor. That is all I've heard of so far. I would expect it will grow to become in memory of both brothers. (806)766-1000 is the ISD's main phone number at their central office.


36 posted on 07/26/2006 12:20:52 PM PDT by hispanarepublicana (Don't fall for the soft bigotry of assuming all Hispanics are pro-amnesty. www.dontspeakforme.org)
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To: npg

Amen.


37 posted on 07/26/2006 12:58:50 PM PDT by ut1992 (Army Brat)
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To: WestTexasWend

Didn't General MacArthur say of his troops:"Where do we get such men."This family has given more for the country than all the Kerrys,Clintons, and Murthas combined.


38 posted on 07/26/2006 1:09:50 PM PDT by 4yearlurker (12th district Freeper.)
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To: billintexas

I'm so sorry for your loss. You have obviously done a fine job raising true men of valor. God bless you.


39 posted on 07/26/2006 1:18:11 PM PDT by shezza (God bless our military heroes)
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To: StarCMC
I would wish in an ideal world that we could turn out many many many of the available Patriot Guard Riders....

...Hopefully representing as many of these United States as possible...

...To honor this brave hero, to honor again the memory of his fallen brother... and comfort his patriotic bereaved family...

It's wishful thinking -- but literally hundreds of PGR bikes and flags would make a powerful visual statement.

40 posted on 07/26/2006 1:31:37 PM PDT by Wings-n-Wind (All of the answers remain available; Wisdom is gained by asking the right questions!)
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