Soldier had hopes of returning to Hawai'i
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
Staff Sgt. Mark Vasquez was a tough Army infantryman from Michigan who died Saturday near Fallujah in Iraq. It would all seem far removed from Hawai'i, but it isn't.
Associated Press
Vasquez's first assignment was at Schofield Barracks, with the 25th Infantry Division (Light) almost 10 years ago. When he was here, he met his wife, Nicole.
Army Staff Sgt. Mark Vasquez, holding daughter Breanna in this 1998 photo, was killed Saturday in Iraq. Vasquez met his wife, Nicole, in Hawai'i.
His cousin Lydia Chappelle recalled yesterday how Vasquez liked the Islands. For a young man who grew up amid the snow and ice of Port Huron Township in Michigan, the tropics had a nice, warm appeal.
"I know he liked the weather," said the 46-year-old Chappelle from her Fort Gratiot Township home in Michigan. "He wanted to go back there again. He was hoping to get stationed there again."
Vasquez was 35, a tough, competent soldier who had recently attended Army Ranger school. He was a squad leader assigned to the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division from Fort Riley, Kan. On Saturday, he was in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle that was struck by what the Army calls "an improvised explosive device."
Vasquez's wife and two children, 6-year-old Breanna and 2-year-old Cameron, are still in Kansas trying to cope with the sudden loss, Chappelle said.
Nicole, who is five years younger than her husband, met him after moving to Hawai'i from California, Chappelle said.
Vasquez was here for four years and re-enlisted in the Army before he left.
The Detroit News and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8012.
