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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: billintexas

Welcome to FreeRepublic. Please see your FReepmail.


41 posted on 07/26/2006 1:46:34 PM PDT by daybreakcoming ("We will not tire. We will not falter. We will not fail")
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To: Wings-n-Wind

I just hope no one tries to "disrupt" this funeral.


42 posted on 07/26/2006 2:06:53 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

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall inherit peace. This is more than one family should be asked to provide. I pray the peace which passes all understanding envelops the Velez family. God bless the Valez family. Lord, damn the fascists to the lowermost parts.


43 posted on 07/26/2006 2:14:13 PM PDT by Texas Songwriter
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To: WestTexasWend
"We've done what the Lord allowed us to do for our country."

What grace. Bless this family.

44 posted on 07/26/2006 2:23:04 PM PDT by radiohead (Hey Kerry, I'm still here; still hating your lying, stinking, guts you coward.)
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To: Texas Songwriter

Some Lubbock funeral homes host online registries. I'll keep everyone updated.


45 posted on 07/26/2006 2:23:58 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: WestTexasWend

OMG, this so sad, my heart breaks for this Dad.


46 posted on 07/26/2006 2:25:19 PM PDT by BlueAngel
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To: radiohead
What grace.

Most succinctly, accurately, and--well, gracefully--said.

47 posted on 07/26/2006 2:26:21 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: WestTexasWend
Local radio report just said Mr. Velez said the "pain is almost unbearable except that they know how many people are praying them through this."

Please keep those prayers up, everyone.

48 posted on 07/26/2006 2:32:47 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: WestTexasWend

Thanks for posting. I'll be praying for this family. What a hard thing to face, but how genuine they are in how they face it.


49 posted on 07/26/2006 2:35:09 PM PDT by Kaylee Frye
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To: hispanarepublicana
I share your concern and hope for a peaceful mourning.

I would simply prefer to make a statement of honor and extraordinary gratitude to this incredible family.

If the topeka/westboro rabble dares show up shouting their heresy....

I hope they bring ther lunch --- it's likely to be a long afternoon...

50 posted on 07/26/2006 2:35:47 PM PDT by Wings-n-Wind (All of the answers remain available; Wisdom is gained by asking the right questions!)
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To: WestTexasWend

My heart goes out to that family.
T.


51 posted on 07/26/2006 2:39:35 PM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: Wings-n-Wind

I was born and raised here, and therefore I know you're exactly right.


52 posted on 07/26/2006 2:40:57 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: CyberAnt

53 posted on 07/26/2006 2:47:03 PM PDT by usmcobra (If we take our political stance from a letter behind a name we lose sight of what is right and wrong)
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evening BTTT


54 posted on 07/26/2006 6:18:14 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

I'll second your bump for a most worthy cause. Any word on which funeral home will handle Andrew's services?


55 posted on 07/26/2006 6:25:43 PM PDT by shezza (God bless our military heroes)
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To: WestTexasWend


Prayers for this family in their time of grief. God grant them strength.

56 posted on 07/26/2006 6:29:05 PM PDT by MikefromOhio (Hi. This is the artist formerly known as MikeinIraq. Your message is being forwarded to /dev/null.)
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To: shezza; JFC

I haven't heard anything about the services, but I've been out of pocket early this evening.
JFC?


57 posted on 07/26/2006 6:32:06 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: CyberAnt
This story reminds me of the story of the Sullivan's in WWII - they lost ALL 5 OF THEIR SONS.

This made me think of the letter Abraham Lincoln wrote to Mrs. Lydia Bixby.

"I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts, that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom."

58 posted on 07/26/2006 6:47:55 PM PDT by JavaTheHutt (I'm JavaTheHutt, and I approve of this message.)
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To: hispanarepublicana
Updated story for Wednesday here. What an awesome, inspiring man their father is.
59 posted on 07/26/2006 6:53:06 PM PDT by shezza (God bless our military heroes)
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To: WestTexasWend; shezza; Wings-n-Wind; Chena; Liberty Valance; yellowdoghunter; All
I'm in tears again..........THE FATHER'S WORDS, FROM KCBD.COM. 
 

Lubbock Family Copes With Loss of Second Son
 

 
The Velez family is coping with the loss of their second son.  Family members were notified Tuesday that 22-year-old Andrew Velez was killed in action in Afghanistan.  He is the brother of Freddy Velez who was killed in Iraq in 2004.  Freddy was 23-years-old.  Father, Roy Velez tells us it's faith, and knowing his boys are in a better place, that keeps him going.

"I can only tell you that it's not easy.  It has got to be the most horrific thing that I've ever gone through in my life, and maybe the most exciting thing. When your sons get promoted to heaven, what can I say," said Roy Velez.  "I was notified at 12:30 p.m. yesterday (July 25th).  The soldier stepped out, and I looked at him until I got up to the door step, and he said we need to talk to your wife also, and I said it's about Andrew and he says lets go inside, and I said no, I don't want to go inside. I said, is my son dead, and he said yes," continued Roy.

"I feel like somebody has taken chains and just raked them through the inside of me, sir. I feel like I am heartless. I'm not angry anymore. If this was destiny, if this was their plan, then so be it.  Yesterday (July 25th) was a tremendous shock, and it was like somebody just took a sledge hammer and just hit your heart so hard and knocked me into a deep hole, but today (July 26th), I can see that they are together again as brothers.  Their relationship was that of respect and courage and truth and one with out the other wouldn't work, but together now, forever and for eternity, and now it's just my job to get from here to there, and to keep on loving," said Roy.

"I think the only thing that really helps me, that really gets me through this is that somebody out there, somebody in the city of Lubbock, somewhere through our great county is praying me through," added Roy.

That's what Roy and his family ask, to keep his family in prayer.  Roy tells us a good friend of Andrew's is bringing him back to the states.  That will take around seven to ten days.  The family has not set up services yet.  We'll let folks know when they do.


60 posted on 07/26/2006 6:53:23 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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