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Randolph Airmen line streets, pay respects to fallen Soldier

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mike Hammond
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Hundreds of Airmen, Air Force civilians, and their family members lined both sides of Harmon Drive here to pay their respects to a Soldier killed in Iraq.

U.S. Army Spc. Vincent A. Madero, 22, of Port Hueneme, Calif., died Oct .17 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. 

Word spread quickly across the base that a warrior was making his final flight home this morning.  The crowd filed past the Taj Mahal and began lining up along the route that would take the Soldier's body off base. 

When Specialist Madero's body arrived just before noon today, members of his family were present to receive him.  As the funeral procession slowly drove from the flightline, uniformed members saluted and civilians held hands over their hearts -- showing respect for a fallen comrade.  

The specialist was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas.