Amongst barefoot children he had met in the war, Sgt. Nelson Rodriguez Ramirez had his faith in his service renewed, his father said. "He didn't like war, but it was in his heart to be there and protect those kids."
On June 21, 2008, Rodriguez Ramirez was riding in a truck when it struck an improvised explosive device, killing him and three others. The 22-year-old father of two had plans to visit his family in Revere for his 23rd birthday on August 13.