Straight and Stalwart
This story is about a unit that kept a promise for a fallen soldier. Staff Sergeant Roberto Loeza, Jr. promised his sister, Lluvia, that he would be back from a 2011 deployment in time for her high school graduation. But SSG Loeza fell in action during that mission. From DVIDS;
Roberto’s brother, Esteban, wanted to surprise their sister. He sent out a message through Facebook to Roberto’s old unit asking for volunteers to stand in his place. The call was answered immediately.
Though the majority of the unit is deployed once again to Afghanistan, the Battalion’s rear detachment known as Task Force Stalwart West led by the Battalion Executive Officer, Maj. George Chigi, along with Maj. Christopher Penwarden and Sgt. 1st Class Bernie Brooks, organized a group of Soldiers to attend Lluvia’s graduation.
More than 30 Soldiers from 1-4 Infantry Battalion attended the graduation. Also in attendance were several Soldiers from the Ft Bliss area that knew Roberto well including Penwarden and Sgt. 1st Class Jason Yeazel.
Lluvia was completely surprised by the Straight and Stalwart Battalion Soldiers who gathered in their Army Service Uniforms. Making the event even more special for her, Chigi was given permission by the school district’s superintendent to present Lluvia with her high school diploma.
She looks appreciative;
The unit involved is my former company, C Company, 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry. When COB6 and I were with them, they were part of the 2d Armored Division (Forward) at Garlstedt, Germany, now they are with the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, Texas. I’m proud of them.
Category: Real Soldiers
I’m choking up reading this. Just super. Go Army!
First, Ryan Pitts and now this. I’m beginning to think that Kleenex is a secret supporter of TAH.
(As an aside, I would think that the young lady just might consider these soldiers to be heroes, Captain Bennie Whatever, guest writer for the WaPo.)
I couldn’t agree more! Bravo on your aside statement, AC. +10
Hell yea, AirCav. Kudos to the SSG’s brothers looking out for their brother. To hell with cpt Weenie. (lower case cpt intended…) Hero’s? Yea, every one of them.
Man, oh man, those allergies are doing their thing, double time, today.
Congratulations Lluvia. And thank you, guys, for continuing the family tradition. Army family, that is.
Well done, men. Well done.
This just seems apropos here. His unit certainly did.
Hondo…This was a fabulous CD! Love this!!
For those who don’t know the backstory: DefendUSA is referring to Warren Zevon’s last work, “The Wind”. It was released in 2003, a short time before he died.
It was written and recorded after Zevon had been diagnosed with inoperable pleural mesothelioma. He knew he was dying.
The tune I linked above was reportedly written to his family.
He lived long enough to see the album released. But more importantly, he lived long enough to be around for the birth of his twin grandsons.
“Enjoy every sandwich.”
The officer at the front of the pic has combat stripes up to his elbow. I thought i was pretty bad ass when i had 3 combat stripes. Not so much now.
Its getting awful dusty in this dayroom. Charlie Company 1/41, you guys rock and then some!
Good for these fine men. It’s kinda dusty in here today.
Dusty? Yeah, it’s dusty, someone is slicing onions nearby, caught a summer cold, just got hit sharply in the nose and, if that’s not enough, the screen is acting up: It’s all blurry.
Good God, these stories are killing me! I’m drained!
Wonderful post Jonn.
Because they are all our brothers & sisters.
We remember them.
Well done, soldiers. Well done indeed.
So dusty in here.
The young lady did very well herself. The linked article noted she had the 4th highest GPA in her class and got a lot of scholarships.
Well done, soldiers.
They used to be a block away from my first unit, 1-16th Infantry on Custer Hill – Fort Riley, KS
This is why I consider you all my brothers and sisters… because I know that every last one of you would do the same.
I need to go get this dust out of my eyes now…
Damn right you’re proud of your old unit, and well you should. I’m just proud to have been a part of the U.S. military that produces men and women such as these. Soldier on, regards, Alemaster
Nicely done. No one will forget this. Probably the best commencement ever for anyone.
Thank you for honoring a brother. Thank you for honoring the family. I do not know what else to say, but thank you again.
I’ve misted up reading this but then I remember that line from “She Wore A Yellow Ribbon” I want to stand up and cheer! BRAVO ZULU guys! Screw the limp wristed, wet noodle, effete, over educated intellectual theoreticians who say WE CAN’T and only “The State(tm)” can. You represent the knights of the realm, the Paladins of the Republic. We thank you and ask for God’s blessing upon you and your brothers and sisters in uniform. May we be worthy.
A shining example of “We take care of our own”. Bravo Zulu Army.
Jonn-
Proud, as you should be! Hoo-ah!!
Nothing I can add that hasn’t already been said.