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Loveland GI dies in Afghanistan

Soldier had borrowed cell phone to call mom days earlier

By Kevin Flynn, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published May 12, 2008 at 12:05 a.m.
Updated May 12, 2008 at 11:50 a.m.

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Candido and Elma Palomarez, of Loveland, make funeral arrangements Sunday for their son, Army Sgt. Isaac Palomarez, who was killed Friday in Afghanistan. Lt. Geoff Terman works with the family, including Isaac’s brother, Candido Palomarez III, rear.

Photo by Preston Gannaway © The Rocky

Candido and Elma Palomarez, of Loveland, make funeral arrangements Sunday for their son, Army Sgt. Isaac Palomarez, who was killed Friday in Afghanistan. Lt. Geoff Terman works with the family, including Isaac’s brother, Candido Palomarez III, rear.

Candido Palomarez Jr. kisses his wife, Elma, while making funeral plans for their son, Sgt. Isaac Palomarez, on Sunday at their home in Loveland. Palomarez, 26, died Friday.

Photo by Preston Gannaway / The Rocky

Candido Palomarez Jr. kisses his wife, Elma, while making funeral plans for their son, Sgt. Isaac Palomarez, on Sunday at their home in Loveland. Palomarez, 26, died Friday.

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After church on Mother's Day, Elma Palomarez reached up and removed her son's picture from the display of parishioners' children serving in the military.

The congregation at St. John the Evangelist is no longer praying for his safety on the field of battle, for Sgt. Isaac Palomarez, 26, has made the ultimate sacrifice.

The congregation now prays for the repose of his soul.

His parents' many friends embraced them when they arrived and cried with them when the priest mentioned their son's death.

Palomarez's patrol in Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, ran across a roadside bomb Friday and then came under attack from small- arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.

Palomarez served with a unit of the 101st Airborne Division from Fort Campbell, Ky.

"If you're a mother, you have to be strong," Elma Palomarez said, as she and husband Candido Palomarez sat on their covered back deck in west Loveland.

"He wanted the whole community to understand that the price he might have to pay was worth it," she said. "We just would like people to keep him in their thoughts."

Birds chirped, wind chimes sounded softly, and the shady yard was green with spring growth as the couple talked softly about their youngest of four sons - and his quick-chance phone call from Afghanistan a few days before his was killed to tell his mom "Happy Mother's Day" in advance. He was able to borrow a buddy's cell phone to make the call.

Isaac Palomarez, 26, paid his last visit home a little over two months ago before shipping out to Afghanistan. He spent a lot of time talking with his mother, as well as visiting friends, before starting his second combat tour.

Palomarez joined the Army in 2004 and already had served a year in Iraq.

Funeral plans are tentative. Palomarez's body was returned to the United States on Sunday, but his parents were unsure when it would arrive in Loveland.

Candido Palomarez, who served in the Army in Germany in the 1960s, said his youngest son never talked about joining the military while he was growing up. But it didn't surprise the couple when he came home one day and said he'd enlisted.

"He was always reading, and he read a lot about warfare and military history," he said. "The Army was very good to me, and I think he was at a point where he was trying to decide what he wanted to do with his life."

Isaac Palomarez was an offensive line backup and special- teams player on Loveland High School's state championship football team in 2000. He graduated in 2001.

His line coach, Marty Gocken, recalled Palomarez as the classic little guy who could handle the assignment.

"He played offensive guard at 150 pounds, and he literally never got beat on extra points," Gocken said. "I can remember him coming off the field after extra points just grinning that he had handled guys 100 pounds heavier.

"I would say the military was a good fit for him. He was just one of those kids that was highly organized and disciplined. A silent warrior-type of kid that you wanted to have around you."

flynnk@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5247

Comments

  • May 12, 2008

    3:55 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    happymike44 writes:

    Thank You for the sacriface you have made for this country.I had a brother who went to vietnam and came home.We were truly lucky to have him come home.May god watch over and protect you in your hour of need.This seems like a cornball saying:That which does not kills us makes us stronger.I know this sounds cheesy but I would like you to know how sorry I am for the loss.

  • May 12, 2008

    7:23 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    mayday writes:

    Sgt Palomarez, thank you for your service and your sacrifice in the service our nation. My deepest condolences to the Palomarez family, I'm truly sorry for your loss.

  • May 12, 2008

    9:37 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    American100 writes:

    Every parents nightmare.

    RMN - Stop your photographers from taking these types of photos.

    Earlier this year one of your phtogs won a prize for documenting a dying woman's last months. Good for you.

    This isn't the same. This is ambushing someone during the worst moments of their lives.

    This is not someone who is wishing to document this time of their lives.

  • May 12, 2008

    9:57 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    buzzman writes:

    Sgt Palomarez, thank you for your service to your country-we will miss you-you and your fellow soldiers are in our thoughts

  • May 12, 2008

    10:28 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Purpose4mylife writes:

    You have given your son to a grateful nation and for that we cannot thank you enough. Bless you and your family as you struggle to come to grips with this tragedy.

  • May 12, 2008

    11:13 a.m.

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    fefe writes:

    From the Mother of three son's one who served Our County and thank God came home to us. All I wanted to say from the bottem of my heart Thank you Sgt Palomarez and May your strength be with you loved ones seems like you got your courage from your Mom
    and Dad every day we will remember your sacrifice and try to be a better person for you and yours. Thank you May the God of peace please be you and your loved ones who will feel the pain forever. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PRECIOUS LIFE YOU GAVE FOR US.

  • May 12, 2008

    2:26 p.m.

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    WhoCares22 writes:

    Sgt Palomarez, you made the ultimate sacrifice for your country, and for that I am forever grateful. May God comfort your family during this difficult time.