WEIDMAN, MI, USA U.S. Army SFC, 95TH MILITARY POLICE BATTALION, K-9 UNIT, 18TH MP BDE, ANSBACH, GERMANY ANA KALAY, AFGHANISTAN 09/02/2008
Army Sergeant 1st Class Gregory A. Rodriquez, was a native of Weidman, Michigan, born, October 14, 1972. “Rod’ graduated from Mount Pleasant High School 19 years later where he was an accomplished wrestler and football player. He always believed in justice, law and order, which he sought to keep both before and after he joined the Army in 1994, and decided to make it a career in 1996.
Although staying tied to his home town and beloved Red Wings hockey team, the Army took him to many great locations as he became a K-9 specialist in the Military Police. Training these incredible K-9 soldiers was his passion where he excelled at training the most difficult dogs. His most recent partner, Jacko, his closest companion over the last two years, survived the ambush and was to join his family.
He married his wife Laura in 1999 during a tour in Honolulu, HI. They were raising their family of three young boys, Gregory, Jr., Zachary, and Malory. He is also survived by his mother, Virginia Richardson, and sister Lisa.
Respected by his companions, K-9 and other soldiers, he was known for his ability to “push everyone’s buttons” with his unique brand of sarcasm, while being intensely committed and loyal to his unit. He was buried in Arlington, where he wanted to be among the best and the brave. He earned that distinction also, when killed by small arms fire during an ambush in Ana Kalay, Afghanistan.