1st Armored Div., Sept. 7, 2004
Yoe Aneiros was born in Havana and died fighting for the United States.
He came here with a few other family members in 1999, and joined the Army in September of 2002, even before becoming a citizen. His goal was to become a physician; family members said he planned to use his earnings from the military to pursue that career when he completed his stint. He was serving his second tour in Iraq when he was killed on his 20th birthday as his vehicle came under attack in Sadr City. "He was a man who had a great future," said Father Thomas Ryan during a funeral homily in Newark, N.J. Added Bishop Edward Hughes, "he gave his full measure of devotion to the cause of liberty."
It's often said that there are no atheists in foxholes, but Aneiros had a particular reputation as prayerful. Remarked Sgt. Jose Maldonado, "he would come to my tank every night and ask to pray. And we would." Added Father Ryan, "although his plans ended, his life did not. He was resurrected with Jesus."
