Veterans, community honor Valley soldier killed in Iraq

In memoriam

Funeral Mass for Army Spc. Eric Domingo Salinas will be celebrated at 3:30 p.m. today at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 412 S. “C” St., Harlingen. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park in La Feria.

PRIMERA — Dozens of vehicles displaying flags and patriotic streamers Friday filled the narrow road that led to a house at the corner of Fifth Street and Pacific Avenue here.

About 100 people gathered in front of the house as America’s Last Patrol conducted a flag-raising ceremony in tribute to Army Spc. Eric Domingo Salinas. The 26-year-old was killed Aug. 2 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Baghdad.

Relatives sat huddled around Juanita De Leon, Salinas’ mother, comforting each other as the ceremony began.

Family members of Army Staff Sgt. Hector Leija, of Raymondville, and Army Spc. Darrell Shipp, of Harlingen — two other Valley soldiers killed in Baghdad — were also present.

“We can’t make this easier,” Commander Jose Maria Vasquez, of America’s Last Patrol, said. “We’ve come to honor your son for giving the ultimate sacrifice.”

Vasquez said the flag-raising ceremony is both moving and difficult, but the importance of offering support to those left behind is immeasurable.

“We’re a proud community and we’re here to help those who have lost others,” he said.

Born in Harlingen and raised in Primera until he was 9, Salinas remained connected to the Rio Grande Valley.

His body was driven from Houston to Harlingen by Funeraria del Angel and escorted by Primera police.

Maggie Ramos, a family friend, said the small town of Primera mourned the loss of one of their own.

“We’re such a small community and we never thought it would happen here,” Ramos said. “But eventually it did.”

The Vietnam Veterans of America presented a letter from the national organization to the family.

“It’s an honor for us to do it,” veteran Lionel Hinojosa said. “We love our soldiers today. We will love them tomorrow and forever. The least we can do is come over and pay our respects.”

Cameron County Commissioner Edna Tamayo, Precinct 4, said the country’s freedom comes from people like Salinas.

“Some people stay longer than others, but your son has done more than his share on Earth. God bless you,” Tamayo said to the family.

Emotions broke as taps was played, and sobbing could be heard as Juanita De Leon walked to the flagpole to place a memorial wreath made by a women’s auxiliary on it.

But through the tears, friends and family like Salinas’ aunt Gracie De Leon, and friends, Jesse, Hector and Sandra Garcia of Houston, shared stories with each other about Salinas: the jokester, the protector and the family man.

“We’ll remember him as a loving, happy guy who had a heart of gold,” Gracie De Leon said.