Texas famliy loses both sons to wars

[Lost-in-FL]

So sad.

LUBBOCK, Texas - Less than two years ago, Roy Velez got the worst news a father could get: His oldest son was dead, killed during combat in Iraq. This week, his pain only deepened with news that his youngest son had died in Afghanistan. Andrew Velez joined the Army about five years ago. He graduated in 2002 from Estacado High School in Lubbock. During his school years, he wrestled, played football and basketball and ran track. He also loved playing golf.

His older brother, Jose, joined the Army after graduating from the same high school in 2000 and hoped to attend medical school one day. He played football and was an honor student.

After his death, Jose Velez was awarded two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star and a Silver Star. But burglars stole them all from his parents' home in June.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060726/ap_on_re_us/second_son_killed

[babylonsister]

1. Can this story be any sadder?

:cry:

[Lost-in-FL]

4. It makes me so fkn angry

:grr:

So much death, so many wars for no reason.

It is a good thing I am angry cause at least I know I am not numb yet. How long until we all walk like zombies??

I can't believe some asshole stole those medals!!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

[w8liftinglady]

6. Not me-I'll never be a zombie-I'd rather be dead-like 1984

[w8liftinglady]

2. Oh,Dear God.This is too much to bear.

bless this family.I hope they can find some kind of peace.

[MikeNearMcChord]

3. Of course this is the Bush Administration were talking about

but I thought, the military did not put surviving relatives in combat situations. This is a sad story, my condolences to the Velez family, my contempt for the Bush Administration, the NeoCons, the damn flagwavers, and damn the bastards who stole the medals.

[MikeNearMcChord]

7. Perhaps maybe the Bush family can send some of their young ones

to pick up the standard of the fallen Velez Brothers? Who have far more sense of honor then 10,000 freepers would have. God Bless and Keep that family.

[MadMaddie]

9. I was thinking the same thing especially if the two boys

were their only boys....

This administration has screwed up any possibility of rules that the military should be following....

[w8liftinglady]

10. the rules have changed...since we are involved in a lost cause

[larrysh]

13. I read another article on this and the military gave the

surviving son the option of returning to combat. I saw it on Yahoo (but I'm too computer stupid to put the link here). From what the father said, the surviving son volunteered to go back to Afghanistan
because he didn't feel right leaving his buddies in combat and him being back in the states.....

[w8liftinglady]

14. My son expressed the same sentiment-these guys know

..they know the shit deal they have been dealt,and that no one has their back except their buddies.

[dsc]

5. too sad for words

I hope that family can someday recover just a little bit of what they had before this war.

[lonestarnot]

8. Yes.

If he (the Dad) admits that he encouraged either of them to enlist and that he didn't try to show them that they were doing a stupid thing to kill and possibly die for a bushitler.

[schrodinger_I]

11. This is crazy

I wish the family well. I can't imagine such a loss.

[TomInTib]

12. God, this just kills me.

Sounds so much like back in my time (60s).

And I hope that whatever slime stole those medals dies the most painful death imaginable. I would gladly provide an assist.

[hopeisaplace]

15. This is one of the saddest things I've read on this board

My heart goes to this family. The stealing of the Purple Hearts
is pathetic. My gawd.