Mourning twice over

Texas family grieving over death of son in Iraq loses another in Afghanistan

The Associated Press

 

 

Updated: 6:10 p.m. ET July 26, 2006

LUBBOCK, Texas - Less than two years ago, Roy Velez got the worst news a father could get: His oldest son was dead, killed during combat in Iraq.

 

This week, his pain only deepened with news that his youngest son had died in Afghanistan.

 

Military officials notified the Velez family Tuesday of the death of Army Spc. Andrew Velez, 22. His brother, Army Cpl. Jose A. Velez, 23, died in November 2004 in Fallujah when his unit came under fire while clearing an enemy stronghold.

 

“I can’t be angry. I feel like my heart’s been pulled out,” Roy Velez said Tuesday. “We’ve done what the Lord allowed us to do for our country.”

 

The family lost its only sons; there is one daughter.

 

The military does not have a regulation prohibiting the deployment of family members at the same time. But families can request that relatives return home if one is killed or disabled.

 

After his brother’s death, the military gave Andrew Velez the option of not returning to combat, Roy Velez said. But Andrew Velez told his father he wanted to return to fight, his father said.

 

“You always do it for your buddy next to you,” Roy Velez recalled his younger son saying.

 

Roy Velez last talked to Andrew Velez on the phone Saturday. His son told him he’d had “six close calls” as they tracked Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan, and that he was tired.

 

‘I'll see you in August’

He was scheduled to return for 10 days of leave during the last week of August. “He said, ’Daddy, I’ll see you in August,”’ Roy Velez said.

 

Andrew Velez joined the Army about five years ago. He graduated in 2002 from Estacado High School in Lubbock. During his school years, he wrestled, played football and basketball and ran track. He also loved playing golf.

 

His older brother, Jose, joined the Army after graduating from the same high school in 2000 and hoped to attend medical school one day. He played football and was an honor student.

 

After his death, Jose Velez was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star and a Silver Star. But burglars stole them all from his parents’ home in June.

 

On Monday, the medals were replaced, thanks to the assistance of U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer, Roy Velez said. “And today at 12:30 I learned my other son was killed in action,” he said.

 

Andrew Velez’s survivors include his wife, Veronica Velez; a daughter, Jasmine Jade, 5; and two sons, Jordan Davis, 3, and Jacob Andrew, 2.

 

 

URL: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/14047930/?GT1=8307

 

 

--This story makes me angry and sad at the same time. How brave this soldier was to willingly return back to duty after his brother died 2 years ago.... thats ao admirable. And he served his country proud... but I think he did it more to serve his fallen buddies more than anything.. (and his brother) --The sad part is.. these guys died so young, and now a family grieves... again.

This is truly sad. They paid the price for Bush's mistakes.

this story exactly remains me what happened/still happens in Chechnya (Russia)...with one simple correction: in Russia you have to face the military/army and it's only a matter or (un)luck where will you serve

 

indeed sad though

This is truly sad. They paid the price for Bush's mistakes.

 

 

by reading some of your other posts... I would've thought you were pro-Bush...

I like Bush, but he's not a good leader. As a man, he has been trying to do good, but all in all he has only hurt America more. But then again he's a typical modern day U.S. president. He's no worse then Clinton or his dad. The Iraq war was a major mistake, and it will only hurt our America. He has his heart in the right place but not his mind.

how insightful of you... and welcome to the board..

this might sound like a very stupid question:embarassed: but i really don't know it and i can't find it anywhere but do you still have to go in the army in the US ? I mean, is it obligatorily ? (in dutch this is called 'dienstplicht' but i don't know the english for this word).

No, you join the army with free will, no one makes you join it.

ah ok, thanks for the information.

this might sound like a very stupid question:embarassed: but i really don't know it and i can't find it anywhere but do you still have to go in the army in the US ? I mean' date=' is it obligatorily ? (in dutch this is called 'dienstplicht' but i don't know the english for this word).[/quote']

 

 

they do urge those turning 18 to register your name, not necessarily 'join the army'.. however, I don't think we're that far off from making it mandatory again.... I can definitely see the draft going into effect again sometime in the near future.

I think that will happen. Its very possible.

they do urge those turning 18 to register your name' date=' not necessarily 'join the army'.. however, I don't think we're that far off from making it mandatory again.... I can definitely see the draft going into effect again sometime in the near future.[/quote']

 

 

I think that would be a good thing. I mean, I would like it but that's probably only me since I'm already joining the belgian army the 21th of august at the VDKMS (a year of lessons to prepare for the royal military school). But I think its good for a country to have draft so they mean something in the world politics.

I mixed feelings about the draft...

 

my father was drafted to Vietnam, he was only 18, and had been in the country for a few months then... the man couldn't even speak English then.. but he went. Served the country proudly.. and about 30-something years later.... maybe a bit less.. he became a US citizen...but that neither here nor there.. lol

 

I guess the mixed feelings come into play because I would hate to see my little brother go off to a war or conflict that he wouldn't agree with or perhaps the opposite.. I dunno.. being forced to go to war and such is what gives me the mixed felings.. however, some might feel privledged to be call upon for such duty.. and for that I can only commend these kids.. I don't think that at 18 I would have done such a thing.. or even feel I could! Not even now at 30!! lol

 

You're brave and it makes me feel good that you appear to be very proud to serve your country... thats admirable.. seriously! ;)

You're brave and it makes me feel good that you appear to be very proud to serve your country... thats admirable.. seriously! ;)

 

 

thanks :) i wish my parents would think the same thing but they don't think the way i think. I mean, i'm gonna study in the army so i'll have a uni grade but i could do that in any university. The reason for joining the army is indeed to serve my country but my parents don't want me to. They only think of themself and don't want me to go, i think that's selfish ... we already got so much from our country and i'm going to give something back.

I like Bush' date=' but he's not a good leader. As a man, he has been trying to do good, but all in all he has only hurt America more. But then again he's a typical modern day U.S. president. He's no worse then Clinton or his dad. The Iraq war was a major mistake, and it will only hurt our America. He has his heart in the right place but not his mind.[/quote']

 

Thats bullshit, clinton was way worse then bush.

I dont care if their is a draft. i doubt i would be drafted and if i was i wouldnt be on the front lines.

how? did clinton start a war?

NO, he was too much a coward to that. he should have done something, but like usual he didnt.

i know israel has compulsory military service for everyone aged 18. once you turn 18 over there you go into the army for at least two years or more...

I dont care if their is a draft. i doubt i would be drafted and if i was i wouldnt be on the front lines.

 

 

thats what my father said too... surprise! He was.

thats what my father said too... surprise! He was.

 

Did your father have many medical problems?

ah, america. can't drink until you're 21 but can be shipped off to sand land to get your head blown off at 18

you can vote and die for your nation, but cant drink until 21. its stupid.

Did your father have many medical problems?

 

 

hmmm not that I know of.. I don't really talk to him much about the actual front lines of the war.. its something he doesn't like to share... he once told me to never ask him if he's killed a man.. (or people in general) -- that kinda freaked me out a bit, the look in his eye pretty much answered the question.

 

I guess he probably said it (the not going to the front lines) thinking it could never happen to him type deal.... but during a draft, I think the only thing that could keep you out is a mental disorder or some sort of physical ailement??