by Sabrina Salas Matanane, KUAM News Friday, December 08, 2006 Subscribe to Sabrina's newsfeed   E-mail this article Printable version KUAM Toolbar Web Widgets Get RSS headlines

A mass was held this morning at the Catholic Church of San Juan Bautista in Chalan Pago for 22-year-old Jesse Castro, who died while in the service of his country killed in Iraq. According to family members, Castro, a soldier with the U.S. Army, was serving in the Middle East when he died. Reportedly he and other soldiers were on mountain patrol when an improvised explosive device was detonated. The family member told KUAM News this morning that the holidays are going to be hard, and that Jesse left a legacy behind and he will be truly missed.

Castro was with four other soldiers that are a part of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division based at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. In a written statement military U.S. Army representative Colonel Tim Ryan stated, "These Soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation, and the somber news of their death is especially difficult at this time of year when our thoughts move toward families and loved ones during the holidays. I know that the commitment and sacrifice of these brave Soldiers will be honored throughout our ranks and their loss will be felt across our Army family."