3 HBCT Fallen Soldier Laid To Rest

(William Luther/Express-News)
Marine Pfc. Michael Paredes stands beside his brother's casket after burial services at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Friday. Army Cpl. Javier Paredes, 24, was killed Sept. 5 by a rocket-propelled grenade in Iraq.

Pallbearers carry Army Cpl. Javier Paredes' casket into St. Patrick's Catholic Church for his funeral service. A fellow soldier later presented his family with awards for him — a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

Soldier laid to rest

Web Posted: 09/15/2007 02:26 AM CDT

Nancy Martinez
Express-News

Abused as a child and raised by foster parents, Army Cpl. Javier Paredes managed to keep his innocence in a short life that ended in sacrifice.

Family and friends joined Mayor Phil Hardberger and City Councilwoman Lourdes Galvan on Friday to pay their last respects to Paredes, 24, who was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade Sept. 5 in Baghdad, Iraq.

Tears punctuated the Mass for Paredes at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, where mourners testified of the young medic's strength and loyalty, and talked of peace in Iraq. While everyone deemed Paredes a hero, many couldn't come to terms with his death.

"Twenty-four years of age is too young to die," the Rev. W. Ebarb said. "What is the answer to those like Javier who lose their lives for their country? Force? That hasn't worked in the past, and that's not going to work in the future."

Ebarb, who said he witnessed the work of medics at a combat hospital in Vietnam, added, "Jesus says, 'Love your enemy.' Those are the words of God. If we would only accept and love, there would be no war, but that won't happen in our lifetime."

A fellow solider who served in Iraq presented the family with awards for Paredes — a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.

Hardberger read two proclamations for Paredes, then offered his condolences.

We are the ones that are the beneficiaries of his sacrifice," Hardberger said. "It is certainly true that freedom is not free. Javier's life was not taken. He gave his life. He gave his life for the country and for the people of the United States and the people of San Antonio."

Paredes and his brothers suffered abuse and neglect. In a 1987 Bexar County court document, a state caseworker described the conditions in their home when they were rescued by Child Protective Services. "The home had no water, no heat, no locks, no food, and no plumbing," the report said.

The five boys spent their lives in foster homes across the state. Most of the time, they were separated.

Marine Pfc. Michael Paredes, 19, said that, of all his brothers, he was closest to Javier. But Michael said that after high school their communication withered.

"It hurts me because I never really got to see him after his graduation," he said. "I never really got to know him as a soldier."

During high school, Paredes lived at the Hill Country Youth Ranch in Ingram.

"He was remarkably innocent for all the abuse he had survived. When he found his way into the Army and became a medic, he found something that really fit. He loved to help people," said Gary Priour, executive director of the facility.

"He gave his all to everything and became something in spite of his beginning," Priour said. "Unfortunately, he made the ultimate sacrifice. He had so little in life, but made the best of it."

Paredes seemed to touch people, even those he had limited contact with, including a McDonald's employee who remembered Paredes' sense of humor as he got a breakfast sandwich each morning.

The mother of a Georgia soldier who went through basic and medic training with Paredes said he often spent time at her home. She said Paredes was well-respected and loved, and that his close circle of military friends was devastated.

Victoria Hernandez, a cook at Central Market who attended the service with dozens of fellow employees wearing their uniforms and buttons with Paredes' photo, said they had fond memories of Paredes, and that he never mentioned his history of child abuse.

"He was our little baby," Hernandez said. "Every morning when he got to work he would give everyone a hug. He always had a smile on his face. There wasn't a person he didn't touch."

After a gun salute and taps, service members carefully folded the American flag. The perfectly folded triangle was presented to Maria Acevedo, Paredes' aunt. Her swollen eyes full of tears, she caressed the white stars.

After the service, Paredes was buried in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery