Army Sgt. Amaru Aguilar

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. Amaru Aguilar, 26, of Miami, Fla.

Sgt. Aguilar was assigned to 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.; died May 13, 2011 at Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his unit encountered small-arms fire.

Sgt Aguilar joined the U.S. Army shortly after graduating from South Miami Senior High School in 2003.

Sgt Aguilar also took courses at a technical school often sharing his passion for tae kwon do with fellow students.

"Even when he was fighting, he used to fight with a smile, and we used to remember the opponent being mad at him because he was smiling while he was fighting," said Amaru's sister, Soli Aguilar.

"He served twice in Iraq, and when we found out right after New Year's that he was going to serve in Afghanistan, we all knew that it was a higher possibility that he was not going to come back," said Soli.

Sgt Aguilar had been deployed less than two months.

"He was a scout and died a hero saving the lives of his fellow soldiers," said Soli. "When will it end? When will it come to a resolution?"

Martha Borgen said she often feared this fate for Amaru, her only son, as he led troops through the dangerous valleys of Afghanistan. "I put my son and daughter in the hands of God every day," Borgen said. "I am so proud of Amaru and I'm proud of this country."

Sgt Aguilar's greatest joy was being a father to his 9-month-old son. "We will tell him exactly how my brother was," said Soli.

From a friend:
I will always remember you smiling...You always gave your best.~Sgt. Grisselle Diaz-Perez

Sgt Aguilar is survived by his mother, Martha; sister, Soli, and a 9 month old son.

Army Sgt. Amaru Aguilar was killed in action on 5/13/11.