Remembering the fallen

[NewsWhore]

The Dominican community has lost another soldier in Iraq. The conflict, which has now lasted longer than World War II, has particular meaning for Dominicans in the US and at home, as nine Dominicans are among the thousands of casualties. Harold Puello Coronado was the first US soldier of Dominican descent to fall in Iraq. This was followed by Ryan Tejada's death in 2003. Tejada was subsequently awarded posthumous US citizenship. Army Cpl. Sergio Antonio Mercedes Saez, 23, was manning the gun atop a Humvee on patrol south of Baghdad in 2006 when the vehicle overturned and he was killed. Army Cpl. Junior Cedeno Sanchez was killed in Iraq in 2007 followed by Army Sergeant Joan Duran, who had been on his second tour of duty in Iraq. Soldier Alex Jimenez's convoy was caught by Iraqi insurgents, along with two members of his battalion. His body has not been recovered. Dominican-American soldier Luis Felix Nieves, 27, who was killed in Iraq on 28 August 2008, was buried at Cristo Redentor Cemetery in Santo Domingo. Military officials said that he had been killed in a traffic accident. Juan Alcantara Mariel Disla died in Iraq in February 2009 and the New York City Council named 185th and 186th Street, between Wadsworth Venues, Corporal Juan M. Alcantara Avenue in honor of the young Dominican-American soldier. Soldier Nelson Manuel Lantigua is the latest tragedy. Born in the DR, Lantigua left for Miami with his mother at the age of seven and family members say that being a Marine was his dream. Lantigua was shot in the head on 30 March while on patrol in Iraq. Lantigua was honored in Santiago yesterday. Marines from the Second Infantry Brigade were on hand as ceremonies were held for the fallen soldier. The soldier's father, Jose Nelson Martinez says his son's death has strengthened the family.

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