Monday, April 17 2006 @ 08:18 AM EDT
Contributed by: tomw
Views: 598
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 Sun-Sentinel -- U.S. Army Pfc. Roland Calderon-Ascencio went to war with the promise of a free education and a vow to his mother that she would not have to clean other people's houses anymore.
But the 21-year-old's aspiration of leaving poverty behind through the military came to an end Wednesday when he became Florida's latest war casualty.
Calderon, of Perrine in Miami-Dade County, was killed after an improvised bomb exploded near the Humvee he and others were traveling in during a combat mission in Misiab, Iraq, defense officials announced Friday. He leaves behind a wife and 9-month-old twin boys.
Killed with him was Spc. Scott M. Bandhold, 37, of North Merrick, N.Y. The two were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, out of Fort Hood, Texas, officials said.
On Friday, family members gathered around a makeshift altar and shrine built inside his family's still-tattered living room severely damaged by Hurricane Wilma last year.
Sitting near a picture of her only son, Rosa Milagros Ascencio spoke happily about his life one moment, then cried uncontrollably the next.
"I don't want to cry," she said. "He always said he never wanted to see me cry."
Calderon's mother said her son decided to join the military after seeing a recruiter during his senior year. In late 2004, after weeks of jogging to shed some extra pounds, Calderon joined the Army, promising his worried family everything would be fine.
In the Army, he met his wife, Mirta, a fellow recruit. The couple soon became parents of twin boys, Rolandito and A.J. |
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I would like to say thank you to you and the other soldier who was killed in that blast for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
"On The Way!"(67th Armor Motto)