SSG Edwardo Loredo – May he rest in peace

Today, we have the honor of attending a rather somber event.

But it’s also a celebration of a brave American soldier – Staff Sergeant Edwardo Loredo, brother-in-law of very good friends of ours, Tara and Bob.

SSG Edwardo Loredo, Eddie to his family and friends, joined the Army after graduating Sam Houston High School in Houston, TX (it was a surprise to me to find out that he grew up in my home town).  He became a paratrooper and was most recently assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. He met his wife, Jennifer, our good friend’s sister, while in the service.  After a tour in Iraq, he decided to re-enlist because the Army was his family and his life.  He was deployed to Afghanistan last December and Jennifer followed (though she was in the North and he was in the South) in May.

On June 24th, one day shy of his 35th birthday, Eddie fell victim to an IED while deployed in Afghanistan.  His wife, Jennifer, was unable to be with her husband.  She did accompany him back to the States where he was honored at Dover AFB upon his arrival.  He leaves behind a daughter, son and a step-daughter in addition to his wife and all the family and friends who loved him.

On July 13th, Congressman Ted Poe from Texas gave the following eulogy on the House floor.

But truthfully, I wish I could print the text of the beautiful eulogy that Bob gave for his brother-in-law at the service Monday night.  There was such love, respect, and sadness for dashed plans for the future in his words.  There was hardly a dry eye in the room.

Eddie is being honored with burial at Arlington Cemetery as this is published.

Please keep the Urbans and Loredos in your prayers.

Here is a link to an article published in the Houston Chronicle: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/military/7083608.html