Army 1st Lt. Omar J. Vazquez, 25, of Hamilton, N.J.
1st Lt Vazquez was assigned to 2nd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas; died in Kut, Iraq, of wounds sustained April 22, 2011 when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. Also killed was Pfc. Antonio G. Stiggins.
HAMILTON — More than 100 friends, relatives and members of the military bade farewell to 1st Lt. Omar J. Vazquez, 25, yesterday at a funeral Mass at St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church. Vazquez was killed last month during a mission in Iraq.
Vazquez grew up in Trenton and moved to Hamilton a few years ago. He was killed in southern Iraq on April 22. Vazquez served in Operation New Dawn with Fox Troop, 2nd Squadron in the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment based at Ford Hood, Texas.
Vazquez’s father, Pablo Vazquez of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, said his son was born with a love for democracy. “Ever since he was a child, all his toys had to be Army-related, nothing else,” he said in Spanish. “He went to fight in the war for the peace in his country.”
Family and friends said Vazquez had a passion for books on United States and world history, but that dedication to service was his top priority. In 2009, he served at a leader’s training course at Fort Knox, Ky., to assist new ROTC cadets before being stationed at Fort Hood as a field artillery officer.
Hamilton soldier is killed by explosive device in Iraq
Vazquez graduated from McCorristin Catholic High School, now Trenton Catholic Academy, in 2003. He earned an associate’s degree from Mercer County Community College, a bachelor’s degree in history from Rider University, and a master’s degree in liberal arts from Rutgers University at Camden.
“He was so well-read and so intelligent,” Laura Klockner said through tears yesterday. Klockner, 25, a McCorristin classmate who dated Vazquez between 2001 and 2006, said she misses Friday night dinners with him and watching Star Trek together.
“Our deep sorrow is also mingled with gratitude for Omar’s gift of grace,” Monsignor Thomas N. Gervasio said during the homily of the funeral mass. “Even as a little boy, he was known to be very patriotic and expressed his desire to serve his country.”
Bishop David M. O’Connell, who attended the Mass, offered prayers for Vazquez and his family.
Vazquez was awarded posthumously with the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Operation Iraqi Freedom Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
Brig. Gen. Jonathan A. Maddux, commander of New Jersey’s Picatinny Arsenal, spoke at the Greenwood Cemetery Veterans Field of Honor Mausoleum in Hamilton, where Vazquez was honored with a gun salute and the playing of “Taps” before his body was interred.
“He lost 100 pounds just to get into the New Jersey National Guard,” Maddux said, calling Vazquez a “dedicated” and “highly respected soldier.”
Before Vazquez was deployed to Iraq last August, he and his childhood friend, George Hrico, spoke on the phone every week. Hrico said he last talked to Vazquez the Monday before he died. “He was in good spirits,” said Hrico, who now lives in Los Angeles.
There were times when Hrico expressed concern for Vazquez’s safety, but he said Vazquez would always tell him: “If I had to go, there’s no better way to go than serving my country.” Hrico said Vazquez would add, “But you don’t need to worry about me.”
The men were neighbors for 17 years. As teenagers, they would sit on their combined roofs most nights to talk about their futures. Hrico, 25, said his friend often talked about joining the military.
At the funeral and burial, members of the Patriot Guard Riders saluted Vazquez’s flag-draped casket and carried American flags.
Flags at Hamilton government buildings were flown at half-staff yesterday in honor of both Vazquez and U.S. Army Sgt. Keith Buzinski, 26, a Hamilton native who was killed April 7 by insurgents in Afghanistan while fighting as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“I’m proud of him, proud of his service,” Vazquez’s sister, Marisel Vazquez, said of her brother yesterday.
His mother, Maria Vazquez of Hamilton, said she misses her son’s smile. “He was always smiling. He was very happy,” she said. Intelligence and peacemaking were her son’s best characteristics, and he made friends easily, she said. “Everyone who knew him loved him.”
By Martin Griff / The Times The Times
Lt. Omar Vazquez of Hamilton, killed in southern Iraq April 22, 2011, when his convoy came into contact with an IED. Here he stands with his mother, Maria Vazquez of Hamilton, at commissioning ceremony May 15, 2009, at The College of New Jersey.
Army 1st Lt. Omar J. Vazquez was killed in action on 4/22/11.
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