Fil-Am marine killed in Iraq

Another Filipino-American soldier was killed in Iraq after being hit by a bomb and attacked by gunfire from Iraqi insurgents, the US Embassy in Manila reported yesterday.

Reports said Cpl. Garry Wesley Rimes, a US marine born and raised in the Philippines, was killed while protecting another Marine during the attack.

After a diesel truck drove into a building and exploded, an injured marine crawled from the rubble. Rimes was among the marines who responded to the scene but was fatally caught in a hail of gunfire from insurgents.

Rimes, an anti-tank gunner, had been in Iraq less than a month when he was killed April 1 in Ramadi.

US Embassy spokeswoman Karen Kelley said the family had been notified and the remains would remain in the United States.

"The burial will take place in California. The next of kin have been notified," Kelley said.

Rimes immigrated to the United States in 1996 and joined the marines in 1997, hoping the military would help him become a US citizen.

"Ever since he was a kid, he wanted to be a marine," his younger sister, Patty Rimes of Santa Maria, said. "He wanted to be in the (US) military."

"Corporal Rimes is our hero," another sister, Danica Love of Baytown, Texas, said. "My whole family feels a deep gratitude to him."

According to Patty, her brother re-enlisted and was sent to Iraq.

"He told me he was going to leave, and I said, ‘I better see you again,’ and he told me ‘I’ll see you in seven months,’" Rimes’ cousin, Michelle Felix, said.

The 30-year-old Rimes has been awarded several honors including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

In addition to a sister, Rimes is survived by his wife who lives in the Philippines, and his mother who lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The US military has provided only sketchy reports on the incident saying it is still under investigation. No other details were provided.

As of Tuesday, April 5, 2005, at least 1,542 members of the US military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003.

Rimes is among the five Filipino-Americans who have been killed during the war.

The other Filipino-American soldiers who were killed in action are Capt. Dennis Pintor, Sgt. Joselito Villanueva, Sgt. Niño Livaudais, Spc. Edgar Daclan Jr. and Spc. Rel Ravago IV.

No member of the Philippine contingent in Iraq became involved in frontline operations even before they were pulled out following the abduction of Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz in 2004.

The Philippine government imposed a travel ban on Filipino workers going to Iraq after the safe release of De la Cruz.

Another Filipino worker, Roberto Tarongoy, is still being held captive by insurgents in Iraq.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said the Philippine government is not lifting the travel ban, fearing this might further endanger the lives of the remaining Filipino workers servicing the US military in Baghdad.

Philippine government negotiators led by Undersecretary for Special Concerns Rafael Seguis are currently in Baghdad working out the release of Tarongoy.

Tarongoy, along with American Roy Hallums and four others, were snatched by insurgents after storming their office in Baghdad in November last year.

The kidnappers are reportedly demanding a $22 million ransom in exchange for Tarongoy and Hallums.