I never really spoke to him much, but he was always around friends of mine in hs. I moved to garner senior my junior year, so i really didnt have that much time to meet him. He was really quiet anyway. Just one of those really chill guys who was always well-liked and respected by me and the other people in that group in hs, despite his desire to "fly under the radar". Enrique always wanted to be a Marine. He lost 125 pounds after hs so that he could have the honor.

He served proudly in some of Iraq's most dangerous areas. He was killed in combat on Thursday while showing his bravery.

Now, I didn't support the war, I don't support it now, and I probably won't support it any time soon. I admire and respect the job each and every man and woman who has put their life on the line to serve the United States. Just because I'm critical of our policies and current president and desire change while not trumpeting the war and showing a ton of respect for symbolic gestures like the pledge or other symbols doesnt mean I don't love this country and its people. I'm sick and tired of being called out as a hater of my country simply b/c i dont back its leadership or conservative politics. America to me is every last person who desires to live within these borders. This is why I support America by desiring whats best for the people. I show my patriotism by trying to support local businesses and hoping and wishing that American industry is the best in the world and acts in the best interests of the American people, whatever that might be. I want our country to be beautiful, thats why im an environmentalist. I want everyone to be able to be free and live their lives as they desire. This is what America means to me. You can bash my liberal political beliefs all you want, but please, do not question my support for the American people and troops and what patriotism means to me.

Enrique has inspired me and its hard to belive this news. Thats really all I have to get off my chest right now. Sorry if this whole thing is kinda jumbly and not-so-well-written. I just have a lot on my mind right now.

God bless.

[Edited on July 29, 2006 at 2:21 PM. Reason : .]

7/29/2006 2:16:21 PM

Quote :

"sick and tired of being called out as a hater of my country simply b/c i dont back its leadership or conservative politics."

When does that ever happen?

Quote :

"hoping and wishing that American industry is the best in the world"

thats hardcore

7/29/2006 3:17:46 PM

^it happens in my family, and you see it in the media. usually i ignore it and just make fun of those idiots, but today im just overly sensitive i guess.

7/29/2006 3:30:46 PM

http://www.thewolfweb.com/message_section.aspx?section=4

7/29/2006 3:48:26 PM

while a political rant did ensue, the primary objective here is to honor a fallen friend.

i know its the wolf web, but dont be a dick.

he's a local guy, too.

[Edited on July 29, 2006 at 3:52 PM. Reason : .]

7/29/2006 3:49:35 PM

I can spill some milk if you really want something to cry about

7/29/2006 5:37:45 PM

^^ The part about him did just that.

The second part where you put yourself on the cross was just silly.

7/29/2006 5:40:18 PM

I don't mind people that disagree with the war, but don't take it out on the troops. Whether they want to be there or not, they're there and have no control over it, so don't protest in front of them or at their funerals. Sorry to hear about PFC Sanchez

7/29/2006 5:51:37 PM

good post Andrew. Henry really was a great guy...truely one of the nicest people I have ever known.

7/29/2006 6:03:07 PM

^^i never did that, thats the territory of bigots like fred phelps.

7/29/2006 11:45:11 PM

I dont know what people hope to accomplish by protesting soldiers. That's like me bitching about tuition to the professors and not the dean. That guy and his church of madmen came and protested in front of my baptist church a few years back. VERY misguided people.

7/30/2006 12:30:27 AM

Donate to this fund:

http://www.matthewsnyder.org/


You'll be aiding a good cause.

7/30/2006 2:07:07 AM

its not so much conservative politics that bothers me, its politics in general.


sorry for the loss, man. war is hell.

7/30/2006 3:06:16 AM

I really appreciate what you said about Henry. Henry was my cousin, and he was a great person. It's really nice to hear people speak so well of him, and honestly, I've never heard anyone say anything but kind words about him. He was a wonderful, wonderful person who, liked you said, worked hard to be a Marine. He was strong, dedicated, and loving, and although he is gone, he will never be forgotten in the hearts of anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

I think it is admiral of you to have supported him, as well as our other troops as they fight and stand for our freedom. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs on politics, the president, our countries economics, and even this war. What kills me are the people who do not support our troops because of their distain towards this war. I am proud to see that at least some people still understand that if it weren't for those men and women like my cousin, we wouldn't have the ability to live free and say those things for or against our president, our country, and this war.

Now, I'm not express my reasoning for my personal beliefs and thoughts on the topic of our president, country, or war. But I will say that I'm not particularly for or against what the the president and this war, but I am surely not against the country where we have the ability to live free.

I found this one the Fallen Coalition Heroes website:
It's the Soldier - not the campus organizer,who's given us freedom to demonstate......
It's the Soldier - not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press......
It's the Soldier - not the poet, that has given us freedom of speech.....
It's the Soldier - who serves under the Flag, who defends the protesters' right to burn the Flag......
Isn't it time now to demonstrate that
"We Support Our Troops"
Were it not for the Brave, there'd be no land of the Free!

Later I found a quote saying: "We're the land of the free because of the brave."

I hope that everyone will keep these things in mind, and please support our troops as they stand for our freedom no matter where they are.

8/7/2006 2:39:44 PM

R.I.P. PFC Sanchez

So sad...

8/7/2006 2:50:53 PM

What does it mean to "fly under the radar?"

8/7/2006 3:00:51 PM

^^^mandy hunter? that you?

8/7/2006 3:35:52 PM

RIP, sorry about your loss

sounds like a dedicated kid, that turned into a man

sorry he can't come back

8/7/2006 3:44:03 PM

good post Andrew. Henry was a great guy...wouldn't harm a fly. One of the most dedicated and respectable guys I remember from hs. It's a real shame that his life was cut so short.

8/7/2006 4:01:29 PM

I just found out a friend of mine, CPL Bernard P. Corpuz, was killed in action in Afghanistan a month ago. May both of them rest in peace...

8/7/2006 8:05:47 PM

"It is wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived."

8/7/2006 8:10:57 PM

No, this is Mandy Jeffries.

8/8/2006 10:33:41 AM

By the way, to respond to your question. "Flying under the radar" pretty much says that he didn't want to be in the lime light for things, he wanted to do what he did without much publicity and hooplah about it. He did what he did for his family, friends, and the people of his community, not for praise.

8/8/2006 10:39:37 AM