Acting Gov. Timothy Villagomez, together with Military Veterans Affairs Office director Ruth Coleman, will fly to Guam this Saturday to pay their respects to Guam's fallen son, Sgt. Jesse J.J. Castro, who was killed in a roadside bomb explosion two weeks ago in Iraq.
Coleman said she and the Villagomez would be flying separately to Guam.
She said that Castro's body reached Guam last Saturday night. Both CNMI officials will view Castro's wake at the Ada Funeral Mortuary in Sinajana, Guam.
She said the viewing schedule of Castro's wake is from 9am to 12:30pm only. A Mass will be held at 1pm, proceeding to the Veterans Cemetery in Guam.
Castro, 22, was a son of Saipan businessman Jesus Castro and stepson of Ana Demapan-Castro. The soldier’s mother, as well as his wife, is from Guam.
The Guam-based Pacific Daily News earlier reported that Castro was one of five Schofield Barracks soldiers killed when a massive bomb tore apart their Humvee in the Sunni Arab city of Hawija, about 30 miles southwest of Kirkuk.
Coleman's said her office learned about the tragedy through information given by the U.S. Casualty Assistance Officers under the U.S. Department of Defense.
“We are very proud of Jesse. The CNMI is extremely proud of him. He will never be forgotten,” she said, adding that Jesse paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending the nation's freedom. She said her prayers are with Castro's family, especially his wife and two-week-old son.
A Mass for Castro is being held daily at 6pm at the Chalan Pago church in Guam, followed by a 7pm rosary at the family residence.
Saipan recently marked the death anniversary of two local soldiers-Staff Sgt. Wilgene Lieto and Cpl. Derence W. Jack-who were killed during a patrol mission in Balad, Iraq, on Oct. 31, 2005.
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