 El Paso Times -- A 1988 Bel Air High School graduate who joined the Army and was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom died last week in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, according to an announcement Thursday from the Department of Defense.
The cause of Sgt. 1st Class Ruben J. Villa Jr.'s death on Aug. 18 was not combat-related, according to the news release. Although the Army usually releases basic details of the circumstances surrounding a death, even when it's not combat-related, an Army spokes man would only say it was in a category that includes illness, acts of God, natural causes and suicide.
The death is under investigation, which is standard procedure, said Maj. Nathan Banks, an Army spokesman at the Pentagon.
Villa, 36, was assigned to the Army's Area Support Group, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Although his Army job designation was veterinarian, his duties also included those of environmental control officer, Banks said.
"Veterinarians over there are sent to deal with the locals' animals," Banks said. "They also inspect the water we drink ... and make sure there are no airborne diseases that will affect the soldiers or the locals."
According to the 1988 Bel Air yearbook, Villa played on the varsity soccer team and in the orchestra, and was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Villa is survived by his wife, a daughter, two stepdaughters, a stepson and his mother, Banks said. |
I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
A grateful citizen;fellow El Pasoan