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CNMI joins Guam in mourning fallen son
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Posted on Dec 10 2006
The Commonwealth joined Guam this weekend in mourning for its fallen son, Sgt. Jesse J.J. Castro, who was killed in a roadside bomb explosion on Wednesday in Iraq.
Castro, 22, is 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 reported yesterday 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.
“Our hearts go out to Sgt. Castro’s family. We are so sorry that this happened to him. At the same time, we are also very proud of him. He paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending our freedom. Our prayers are with his family, especially his wife and two-week-old son,” said Ruth Coleman, director of the CNMI Military Veterans Affairs Office.
Coleman said that her office was notified of Castro’s death on Friday, a day after the U.S. Department of Defense informed his family.
It is not know when Castro’s body will arrive on Guam for burial. But mass for him is being held 6pm daily at the Chalan Pago church in Guam, followed by a 7pm rosary at the family residence.
Coleman and acting Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez are expected to fly to Guam to pay their respects to the fallen soldier when details of the service are announced.
Saipan recently marked the death anniversary of two local soldiers—Staff Sergeant Wilgene Lieto and Corporal Derence W. Jack—killed during a patrol mission in Balad, Iraq on Oct. 31, 2005.
