Photo By Spc. Paul Harris | A Soldier from 1-68 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th...... read more read more
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BAQUBAH, Iraq (June 12, 2006) -- A memorial for a Soldier from Headquarters and Headquarters Company attached to Company A, 1-68 Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Task Force Band of Brothers, took place Sunday in Forward Operating Base Warhorse near Baqubah, Iraq.
Cpl. Luis "Toast" Santos, gunner, HHC attached to Co. A, 1-68 CAB, was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle June 8.
"In a time and place where our nation has committed its very best to fight the war on the terror, Cpl. Luis Santos represented the finest of what our country stands for," said Lt. Col. Thomas Fisher, commander, 1-68 CAB. "His spirit, heart and his soul were of the highest moral fabric, cut from a unique bolt where valor, honor and commitment are seldom equaled."
Santos enlisted in the Army in the summer of 2004. After completing basic and scout training his first duty assignment was to HHC, 1-68 CAB, at Fort Carson, Colo. Santos was selected to be a gunner and it was the job he held while deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07.
Before being deployed Santos asked his girlfriend Vanessa Mota to marry him, a topic that was discussed in a tribute by his friend Sgt. Jordan Savor, HHC attached to Co. A, 1-68 CAB.
"I remember when you were first thinking of asking your girlfriend to marry you," said Savor.
"When you did ask her you sent me a text message all the way from California to tell me she said yes. You wanted so bad to make her happy. Everyone knew you loved her very much. You impacted my life and the lives of everyone around you in a way that we will never forget â?¦ You were a true Soldier and you lived by all of the Army values."
Values that Santos not only lived but believed in according to his friend Spc. Anthony Chicoine, HHC, 1-68 CAB, who spoke in the second part of Santos" tribute.
"When asked why he joined the Army, he didn't say for the college money, or "I needed a job or I wanted to see the world,"" said Chicoine. "He said, "because it's something I believe in" and that is what makes a hero."
Some of Santos" awards include the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal. He is survived by his parents, Carlos and Irma Santos, his brothers Carlos and Eric, sister Amy and fiancé Vanessa Mota.
| Date Taken: | 06.12.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 06.12.2006 13:17 |
| Story ID: | 6789 |
| Location: | BAQUBAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 211 |
| Downloads: | 27 |
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