A soldier from Roxbury who got his first taste of the military in the ROTC program at Madison Park High School was killed in Iraq on Monday, leaving behind a wife and two children, according to family members.
“He loved the Army and serving for America,” said Maria Montrand, mother of Sgt. Alberto Montrand Jr., 27.
The circumstances surrounding Montrand’s death remained unknown to relatives yesterday, said the dead soldier’s cousin, whose name also is Alberto Montrand.
The soldier was stationed in Fort Jackson, S.C., and had recently returned from Iraq to spend time with his family.
Montrand emigrated from Cape Verde to Boston in 1996. His father had recently sat down with him to discuss his future. The son expressed a great desire to stay in the Army, said father Alberto Montrand Sr.
His cousin added, “(He) had finished his first term but he re-enlisted because he felt he had a duty to serve the country.”
Montrand had re-enlisted for a third time last December after being deployed in Kosovo and Afganistan.
In Iraq, he worked as a mechanic. His mother expressed shock, saying she thought he would be away from the fighting in that job.
Last night, dozens of relatives and friends offered their condolences to the family at a home in Brockton. Many of those present said Montrand is a hero not only in the Cape Verdean community but also for the country.
The soldier will be buried in North Carolina. His parents plan to fly there for his funeral.
Sorry to hear about the hero's death. Did you happen to know him?