Jackson County Iraq Casualties

Ganado—“Oh, dear Lord, don’t let that be my son,” prayed Barbara Arriaga Falcon as she watched television news coverage of three soldiers who were killed Thursday in an ambush near Tikrit, Iraq.

When Falcon arrived home the next day and found two men from the military and a policeman waiting at her house, “she knew at once,” said her sister Lucy Eastlick of Lolita. “She told them to get away, you’ve got the wrong house.”

Now the family waits for the remains of Falcon’s only son, 20-year-old Spc. Richard Arriaga, to be brought home.

Arriaga was one of three Fort Hood soldiers in the 4^th Battalion, 42^nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4^th Infantry Division “who died when they were ambushed with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades late Thursday, Sept.18, near Tikrit, Iraq,” according to a spokesman from the 4^th Infantry Division. “The three soldiers, all artillery fire support specialists, were killed by small-arms fire, five miles south of Tikrit as they were inspecting a suspected weapons site.”

Also killed were Sgt. Anthony Thompson, 26, of Orangeburg, S. C., and Spc. James C. Wright, 27, of Morgan.

Eastlick said Arriaga did not have to be there, that he had a computer job.

“He could have stayed behind that computer, but that wouldn’t be Richard,” she said. “He was a ray of sunshine. When Richard came down, you would have thought we’d won the lottery. He made everybody laugh. He was just an awesome young man. He never met a stranger and never knew an enemy.”

Since learning of his death, people have been calling the house or dropping by to talk about Arriaga.

Eastlick said she is astounded at the outpouring of love for her nephew and to learn of the “hundreds of lives he has touched.” Added to the family’s sorrow is the fact that Arriaga will never meet his month-old-daughter, Bianca Mia. Married just a week before he shipped out in April, his wife, Maggie, gave birth during his tour in Iraq.

Waiting for Maggie and the baby to arrive from Dime Box, Eastlick said her sister is “trying to be brave for Maggie and the baby, telling herself to be strong for them.”

A Gold Star, noting that her child has made the greatest sacrifice, will hang from a window in Falcon’s Ganado home.

Flags fly at half-staff at Louise High School where Arriaga graduated in 2001.

Linda Bram, the school’s special education coordinator, also saw the news coverage of the soldiers’ death.

“(Friday), we were having a good day, then someone came in and said Richard was killed in action. I was shocked. I couldn’t do anything. We send the boys off to war and some get killed. We don’t pay much attention, it doesn’t sink in. Then it hits home and…it’s so hard.

She remembers his dropping by her office to visit, and the two of them sharing jokes. And how, at time, he seemed more the counselor and mentor than she.

“He spent more time in my office than anywhere else. He was an excellent student and loved math. If I could have adopted a kid, I would have adopted him. I just have to remember the good times and what a great guy he was.”

For three of his high school years, Arriaga was aide to school secretary, Laurel Clements. She remembers how she always thought he was older than he was and frequently teased him with “Aren’t you graduated yet?” I didn’t have to tell him anything. He was so mature so responsible. He knew what I wanted and he did it.”

Eastlick said her nephew’s body is in the United States, but they have not been told when it will be brought home. When it is, it will be taken to Oak Lawn Funeral Home in Edna.

Victoria Advocate, September 24, 2003
 

Photo courtesy of Bob Kelch Find A Grave Volunteer #47122091
 

Richard Arriaga to be Buried Saturday

Ganado—Spc. Richard Arriaga will be laid to rest Saturday with full military honors conducted by the U. S. Army.

The 20-year-old Ganado native was killed Sept. 18 in an ambush near Tikrit, Iraq.

His body was returned home late Wednesday afternoon and taken to Oak Lawn Funeral Home in Edna where a Mass will be read at 7 p. m. Friday.

Services will be at 10 a. m. Saturday at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Catholic Church in Ganado. Burial will follow in the Assumption Catholic Cemetery.

Arriaga, a 2001 graduate of Louise High School, enlisted in the Army on Aug. 2, 2001, and was stationed at Fort Hood until his deployment to Iraq in April.

Richard S. Arriaga

Dime Box—Richard S. Arriaga, 20, of Dime Box, died Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003.

He was born Jan. 5, 1983, in Ganado, to Fernando Cortez of Edna and Barbara Salinas Falcon of Ganado. He was a U. S. Army Specialist and member of Assumption Catholic Church.

Survivors: wife, Margaret Sanchez Arriaga; daughter, Bianca Mia Arriaga of Dime Box; stepfather, E. J. Falcon of Ganado; step-mother Judy Cortez of Edna; sisters, Sherrie Cortez, Lindsey Falcon and Hanna Falcon, all of Ganado; and brothers, Carlos Arriaga and Joey Arriaga, both of Ganado.

Visitation will be 6 – 8 p. m. Friday at Oaklawn Funeral Home chapel.

A rosary will be recited 7 p. m. Friday at the funeral home chapel.

Services will be 10 a. m. Saturday at Assumption Catholic Church in Ganado, the Rev. Joe Hybner officiating.

Burial will be at Assumption Catholic Cemetery in Ganado. Oaklawn Funeral Home, Edna, 361-782-2221.

Victoria Advocate, September 25, 2003
 

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