Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Whitney Houston | A Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldier sits full of emotion in front of a...... read more read more
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By Sgt. Whitney Houston
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
JOINT SECURITY STATION OLD MOD, Iraq – Multi-National Division – Baghdad Soldiers gathered at Joint Security Station Old Mod, Jan. 5, to memorialize Cpl. Tony Gonzales.
Gonzales was killed by a roadside bomb in Sadr City, Dec. 28, 2008.
"Cpl. Gonzales epitomized everything that was right in young Soldiers today; he was disciplined, he volunteered for everything and he did not rest until the job was done," said Lt. Col. Brian Eifler, commander of 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, which is currently attached to 3rd BCT, 4th Infantry Division, MND-B.
Gonzales's company commander, Capt. Andrew Slack, spoke of some of the good times of "Gonzo's" life and his at-the-ready intelligence as a Soldier.
"Just under two years ago, Gonzo started out in our 3rd Platoon as an M1A1 tank driver. His position was one that most privates find themselves in when they arrive at a tank company besides the front leaning rest. Gonzo was tall, skinny and lanky; his voice squeaked sometimes, and when we went to the field he grew the customary field moustache that looked more like something that he got from a Halloween costume rather than something he had grown himself. But at the ripe age of 18 he stood out amongst his peers as a very intelligent and mature Soldier with an inclination to quickly understand and learn things."
Friend and colleague Staff Sgt. Timothy Cannon continued to speak of Gonzo's proficiency and good attitude as a versatile Soldier.
"Cpl. Gonzales was just one of those Soldiers that whatever job you put him in he loved doing it. He who would give 100 percent, from driving a tank, from being the unit armorer, flying his UAV and being a dismount; whatever he did he gave his all."
Cannon also spoke of Gonzo's good humor and desire to make people laugh.
"One of my personal memories that I will never forget of Gonzo is when the guys would be playing Call of Duty 4. He would tell everyone what each weapon was and what kind of round it fired while they were trying to play, and all they could do was laugh, cause that was Gonzo. 'Just trying to help,' he would say."
From speaker to speaker throughout the memorial service it was clear that he was an intelligent and proficient Soldier, as well as a Family member would be missed and remembered forever.
Gonzales is survived by his parents Tony and Marlynn Gonzales, as well as his sisters Shaula, Tammy and Megan.
| Date Taken: | 01.05.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 01.06.2009 07:36 |
| Story ID: | 28501 |
| Location: | IQ |
| Web Views: | 409 |
| Downloads: | 252 |
This work, Task Force 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment memorializes Cpl. Tony Gonzales, by SFC Whitney Houston, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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