by Mindy Aguon, KUAM News Thursday, March 27, 2008 Subscribe to Mindy's newsfeed   E-mail this article Printable version KUAM Toolbar Web Widgets Get RSS headlines

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Family and friends of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Joseph Duenas Gamboa are coping with the news of his death. Gamboa was killed in Iraq earlier this week during his second tour in that country defending our freedom. Cecilia and Francisco Gamboa will simply miss their son's warm smile. Clutching a photograph of their son, Joe, dressed in his Army fatigues, the two struggle to hold back tears recalling memories of their loving son who, despite being thousands of miles away in the Middle East, managed to call them on a regular basis.

Cecilia remembered, "Always during the week he calls over here to check how's my sickness and how's the dad? He's always worried about us."

In 1999, Joe enlisted in the Army, wanting to follow in his father's footsteps. "He said, 'Dad, I'm going to join the army and be like you," beamed Francisco. "It made me feel proud of him for being in the service but I'm sad that he lost his life over in Iraq. He would say, 'Dad, don't worry, I'll be home', so I wasn't expecting this to happen to him."

Joe was stationed in Germany, where he'd been living the last couple of years with his wife, Michelle and their five children. Last year was the last time his family on Guam saw him when he returned from Iraq on emergency leave due to his grandmother's passing. Joe was on his second tour, just two weeks from the end of his deployment, when his family's worst nightmare came true.

Family members have only received bits and pieces of information about what happened to Joe, but they believe he was returning to his post in Iraq earlier this week when another car passed by shooting a missile into the soldier's vehicle. As they try to cope with the tragic news, family members see Joe as a hero. His father said, "I'm proud he's done what he has to do to protect the freedom of our country and our island and the people."

The Gamboa family now struggles to cope with their loss, remembering Joe the only way they know how - through good times and fond memories. Continued Cecilia, "He loves to golf, take care of his family, he likes bowling, golf and basketball and almost every kind of sport. He's a good boy. He has a lot of respect for everybody. He loves to joke."

Rosaries are being said nightly at 7 o'clock at 127 Chalan Saligao in Astumbo, Dededo. Funeral arrangements are still being worked out on Gamboa's return to the island, as well as where he will be laid to rest.