Fil-Am soldier dies in Iraq blast

Another Filipino-American soldier was killed in Iraq after being wounded when an improvised explosive blew up during combat operations in Baghdad last June 29, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

The DFA said US Army Cpl. Christopher Rose, 21, was the sixth Filipino-American soldier to die in action in Iraq.

Rose was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo conveyed his condolences in a letter to Rose’s family sent through his sister, Suzette, in San Francisco.

"We honor your son’s bravery and commitment in helping secure a free, stable and democratic Iraq," read the letter.

"Christopher represented the best of the Filipino-American — freedom-loving, independent and goal-oriented."

Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Maria Rowena Mendoza Sanchez said Rose will be buried on Wednesday with full military honors at the San Bruno Cemetery in California.

Rudy Rose, father of Christopher, is from Aklan, while his mother, Margarita is from Mexico.

Christopher is the youngest of three children and the only son.

The family resides in San Francisco, California. — Pia Lee-Brago