PURCHASE, NY, U.S.A. U.S. ARMY SGT, CO B, 1ST BN, 69TH INF, 256THBCT(TF BAGHDAD), NEW YORK, NY 08/08/2005, BAGHDAD, IRAQ
SGT Anthony Kalladeen, 26, of Purchase, N.Y., died August 8th when his vehicle was ambushed. He was serving in The National Guard for New York. SGT Kalladeen a former Marine with 4 years of service was on his second tour of duty in Iraq. He had been attending Purchase College before he was sent overseas.
Anthony N. Kalladeen and his brother, Chad Pillai, were put up for foster care at 9 and 10. At 17, Anthony went looking for his mother and his brother to reunite the family. “He showed us what true love was,” said his cousin Ana Rodriguez.
“There’s been a lot of heartache over the years, but finding each other again was the best part of my life,” said Chad Pillai. He tucked his own dog tags into SGT Kalladeen’s hands just before the coffin was closed. “He’ll always have my tags,” added Chad Pillai. “He always can find me.”
From a friend at the group home where SGT Kalladeen grew up:”Hi Tony- It has always amazed me how from the day you got to the group home, you told everyone you wanted to be a Marine for our country. I remember asking you, “what happens if we (USA) go to war? You looked at me and smiled and said you would go to protect us. I always believed that some how you knew what your destiny was going to be. I know that you are in heaven, happy and content for what you achieved. You were always an amazing kid, strong, motivated, confident, even with all you had been through, I am sure the angels in heaven are happy to have you.