SAN ANTONIO, TX, USA U.S. Army SSG, HHC, 1ST BATTALION, 26TH INFANTRY, SCHWEINFURT, GERMANY BAGHDAD, IRAQ 10/02/2006
Joey, as he was known as was a great son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend. He also helped when people were in need. He had a great ear for listening and was always giving advice. He was a 2000 graduate of John F. Kennedy High School, where he played football for three years.
I was given the honor of meeting Joey later in his life, I feel his good years. He was so full of life, and he loved all. I remember going with him to purchase the vehicle of his dreams, a bright orange mustang. I can still picture the smile he had the first time he got behind the wheel. He was like a little boy in a candy store. I can still remember he drove that car around so much I am surprised the tires never fell off.
I still can picture us in the evenings at the football field at his high school running around the track, and up and down the bleachers. He wanted to make sure he was in great shape. Goodness, sometimes he even convinced me to run with him around the track and he would kill me running up and down the bleachers.
I was with Joey the day he got sworn in, that day will always be etched in my memory. He stood there with full respect to the Flag as he repeated his oath. You knew by staring at him he truly wanted to serve his country. I remember saying goodbye and hearing his last words to me “you’re not family by blood but you’re family by heart.”
He will always be in my heart and mind for that is why I wear his name around my wrist.
I will forever be grateful to the love he showed me in the year and a half i knew him, and because of him and other fellow soldiers my children and I live free.
God Bless His Family
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