First South Floridian Killed in Iraq War Awarded U.S. Citizenship

Sun-Sentinel ^ | April 20, 2003

[george wythe]

Marine Cpl. Armando Ariel Gonzalez died while serving his adopted country. On Tuesday, the day he was buried, that country adopted him by giving him U.S. citizenship.

Eduardo Aguirre, acting director of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, presented the citizenship certificate to Gonzalez's family at his funeral Mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Aguirre brought a message from President Bush: "We as a nation share in your mourning."

Gonzalez, 25, died on April 14 in Iraq in an aircraft refueling accident. The Hialeah resident, who came to the United States from Cuba about eight years ago, was the first South Floridian to die during the war in Iraq.

[george wythe]

U.S. Marines place a U.S. flag over the coffin of Cpl. Armando Gonzalez, South Florida’s first casualty in the war with Iraq. He was buried at Vista Memorial Gardens Miami Lakes after services in Hialeah on Tuesday.

Marines, police officers, firefighters and military veterans attended. President Bush sent a message of condolence.

[george wythe]

Marine Cpl. Armando Ariel Gonzalez

[Catspaw]

Aguirre brought a message from President Bush: "We as a nation share in your mourning."

Yes, yes we all share in their mourning.

God rest his soul.