OGDEN, UT, US
U.S. Army
CPL, 744TH ENGINEER COMPANY, 54TH ENGINEER BN, 18TH ENG BDE, OGDEN, UT.
07/16/2011, BAR KUNAR DISTRICT, AFGHANISTAN
The family of Corporal Raphael Arruda made it clear they wanted those attending his funeral, his family, friends and all who came to honor this man, to remember how he lived. Arruda thrived in his military service. Raphael enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. He felt an obligation to serve and protect his adopted country and its freedom. It’s a comfort to his family that Arruda died doing what he loved and that he was happy. He was selfless and put everybody ahead of him.
Raphael Arruda was born July 23, 1989 in Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil to Sergio Arruda De Souza and the former Carmem Tercia Arruda. He emigrated with his family to the United States at age 12. According to members of his unit in Afghanistan, Arruda was a superb leader, a brave soldier and a valued friend.
“A soldier’s job is never done, I handle my business how it come and it’s never been a one on one…” Raphael Arruda 22 June 2011