Sept. 17, 2007 — Shortly after 1 p.m. Monday, a lone plane approached the runway of St. Croix’s Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, bringing home the mortal remains of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Gregory Rivera-Santiago, who perished along with six of his comrades when their vehicle overturned just west of Baghdad on Sept. 10. He was 26.
Waiting to honor the fallen soldier were his family, Gov. John deJongh Jr. and Lt. Gov. Gregory Francis. A strong military presence came from a V.I. National Guard color guard and, in crisp dress uniforms, soldiers of the V.I. National Guard, Air National Guard and Army National Guard. Members of Rivera-Santiago’s regiment wore red berets.
After the plane landed, it was quiet on the runway. The soldiers and dignitaries stood silently as the flag-draped casket was slowly carried from the plane’s bay. Pallbearers carried it to the waiting hearse between rows of soldiers standing at attention. There were no speeches, and the silence was broken only by the wind and the occasional quiet marching order to one or another squadron of the attendant troops.
“We, myself and Lt. Gov. Gregory Francis, offer our condolences to the family,” Gov. John deJongh Jr. said during a brief statement shortly after the solemn ceremony. “Our entire community mourns for their loss. At a time like this, there is nothing we can say that will help heal the hurt.”
As fathers, the governor said, both he and Francis found it painful that so young a man should perish, and they felt for the family.
Rivera-Santiago was one of seven paratroopers killed in a vehicle crash. All were assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, based in Fort Bragg, N.C. Rivera was Infantry Team Leader of the 1st Squadron.
This was Rivera-Santiago’s third deployment to Iraq since the war began in 2003. His first deployment was in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from February 2003 to February 2004. He also deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from July 2005 to November 2005.
He left for Iraq in February and was due to return home in November.
Rivera-Santiago joined the Army in August 1999. He got assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division in August 2002.
Rivera-Santiago's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal with two loops, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Valorous Unit Award, the Parachutist's Badge and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.
Born in Puerto Rico, Rivera-Santiago’s family moved to St. Croix when he was about one year old. He attended Evelyn Williams Elementary and John H. Woodson Junior High schools. During high school, he worked at Plaza Extra in Sion Farm as a grocery bagger. He enlisted in the Army not long after graduating with honors from St. Croix Educational Complex in 1999.
Rivera-Santiago is survived by his wife, Brooke Rivera; his son, Gregory Rivera IV; his daughter, Xiomara; his step-daughter, Ayani Bowling, all of Fayetteville, N.C.; and his mother, Carmen Santiago, of St. Croix; as well as his father, Gregory Rivera; his brother, Ommi Rivera; and his sisters, Jeannette and Inia Rivera.
There will be a public viewing at Government House in Christiansted from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday. At 11 a.m. there will be a funeral at St. Joseph’s Church in Mt. Pleasant. Interment at Kingshill Cemetery is scheduled for 1 p.m. The soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division, Rivera-Santiago’s regiment, will perform the duties of pallbearer and the firing squad for his final salute.
Back Talk Share your reaction to this news with other Source readers. Please include headline, your name and city and state/country or island where you reside.
