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Jose Gutierrez, 22
Marines, Lance Corporal
Based:
Camp Pendleton
Supporting:
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Died:
March 21, 2003
Umm Qasr (near),
Iraq
Gender:
Male
Hometown:
Lomita
High School:
North High (Torrance)
Foreign Country of Birth:
Guatemala
Burial:
Buried in Guatemala
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He wanted to give the United States what the United States gave to him. He came with nothing. This country gave him everything.
— Jackie Baker, daughter of his surrogate parents
Gutierrez was born in Guatemala City, where he lived on the streets. At age 16 he made his way to the U.S. without legal papers. He is believed to be the second U.S. serviceman to die in combat in Iraq. A month after he was killed, he was awarded citizenship.
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- Sources: Times research and iCasualties.org data.
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5 memories of Jose
...One day we shall all muster at the gates of heaven and fly ol' glory.
Rest in peace my brother...
-OEF and OIF veteran, USAF
chendoprz@hotmail.com
I have a quote that I cut of of the newspaper from a poem he wrote.
"May the firearms be silent and the teachings of love flourish"
in a poem called "Letter to God" written by him in 2000.
I read that he wanted to get citizenship faster and joined the military so he could sponser his sister and bring her from Guatemala. I often wonder if his wish ever came true, and if anyone else heard his message..
A true American hero!
What I don't understand is the fact that he is buried in Guatemala, when in fact he should be in Arlington National. He was the first casulty of war in March 2003, he was the reincarnation of Tecum Uman the great Mayan Warrior. Your memory will never be forgotten Brother!
I hope he went to heaven for being hero de otra tierra
Rebecca,
His wishes came true and his dreams live on!
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