Fil-Am pilot killed in Iraq buried with full military honors

OBANDO, Bulacan — US Army Chief Warrant Officer II Ruel Garcia was laid to rest yesterday with full military honors as American officials paid tribute to the Filipino-American pilot who died in Iraq last month.

"He will never be forgotten, he served both the Philippines and the United States in the name of democracy," said US Chargé d’ Affaires Paul Jones during burial rites at the Polo Memorial Park in Palasan, Valenzuela City, adjacent to Garcia’s hometown of Obando.

Garcia, who traces his roots to this storied town in Bulacan, was killed after his Apache attack helicopter was gunned down in Iraq on Jan. 16.

Brig. Gen. Richard Mills, commander of the US Army Special Operations Command in South Korea, described Garcia in his brief eulogy as a "dedicated family man and officer whom his unit depended on."

Born in Barangay Panghulo here, Garcia, 34, went to the United States in 1987 to pursue his dream to become a fighter pilot, but died when his Apache AH-64 attack helicopter was shot down by a portable propelled surface-to-air missile while patrolling Taji airspace, north of Baghdad.

Mills and Jones handed to Garcia’s family a Bronze Star medal, Purple Hearth Medal and the Air medal.

Garcia’s wife, Apple, could hardly contain her emotion as the coffin containing the remains of her husband was put inside the tomb and a member of the US Army Honor Guard handed her a folded US flag, which is traditionally given to the families of fallen soldiers.

The Bronze Star medal is the fourth highest US military award for gallantry in action while the Air Medal is awarded to pilots who have distinguished themselves in aerial flight. The Purple Heart medal was established by Gen. George Washington in Newburg, New York on Aug. 7, 1782.

"As these medals demonstrate, his bravery in the field, professional aviation skills, and devotion to his adopted country will always be remembered," the US Embassy said in a statement.

"Chief Garcia made the ultimate sacrifice so that his fellow men can live in peace and freedom," the embassy said.

The municipal government of Obando, headed by Mayor Zoilito Santiago, likewise handed Garcia’s family a framed copy of municipal resolution No. 08-2006 that recognizes Garcia’s heroism and achievement as an officer of the US Army.

Garcia was at least the third Filipino-American soldier killed on duty in Iraq and buried in the Philippines.

"We are grateful as this makes the heaviness in our hearts a little bearable," Garcia’s father Rosendo said. "We believe he died for something good."

Born in the Philippines on Aug. 24, 1971, Garcia graduated from a Manila college with a degree in electrical engineering before moving to Waihawa, Hawaii in 1987. — With AP