on May 19, 2007 i lost a really good friend to the war in iraq.and he was also our citys first soldier lost. ive known him since i was 11. and that was 6 years ago. he was only 19. i found out the 21st, because they had to identify the body first to make sure it was him, they didnt release his death til then. and IED had struck the side of his truck after he had offered to take the lead of all the trucks for his friend. alex only lived just down the street from me, we got in trouble together alot! we did so much together when i was younger, then we just, lost touch for awhile, last year he had showed back up, telling everyone how he had enlisted back in october and was shipping out in december. the last time he was here was in january, the last time i got to see him, in person was the day after my birthday. the 17th of january. and now he is gone, i will never get to see him again, or try to be his close friend again. yesterday was his memorial service, and ive never cried so much at a funeral before, even someone of my own family, i never cried so much for. i completely broke down when they started to play Taps then Amazing Grace, thats when it hit me that....hes really gone. i miss you alex. thank you for serving our country, enabling us to get up every morning and live another day in our freedom. i love you buddy
RIP
Alejandro "Alex" Ray Varela *January 29, 1988-May 19, 2007*