2 Hispanics who died in Iraq honored

The tears shed by Angela Cabral and Patricia Acosta as "Taps" was played Friday were proof that citizenship isn't a requirement to be an American hero.

Each is a mother who lost a son in Iraq — Sgt. Juan Cabral and Lance Cpl. Cesar Machado-Olmos were posthumously awarded U.S. citizenship. Both soldiers were born in Mexico, and both grew up in Utah.

Cabral, Olmos and other family members were honored Friday at "Hispanics in the Military," a ceremony recognizing the sacrifices and contributions of Hispanic American soldiers. The event was in the downtown Embassy Suites Hotel. It was sponsored by the Governor's Hispanic Advisory Council, Utah Office of Hispanic Affairs, Northern Chapter of National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives, Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

"I'm very proud of my son," Angela Cabral said. "To me, they're all heroes."

Juan Cabral, 25, was killed Jan. 31, when an improvised mine exploded near a convoy in which he was driving near Kirkuk.

Machado-Olmos "was proud to be an American. He grew up in the United States," said the soldier's uncle, Ernesto Castaneda. Machado-Olmos, 20, died Sept. 13. Machado-Olmos, a Marine, was killed in a noncombat vehicle accident in Al Anbar Province.

Utah's more than 6,600 Hispanic veterans make up about 4 percent of the state's veteran population, according to the 2000 Census.

Hispanics have played an important role in America's military history since the 1700s, said Daniel Gomez, member of the Governor's Hispanic Advisory Council.

So far, 41 Hispanic soldiers have earned the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military honor for bravery, Gomez said. To date, some 161 Hispanic soldiers have sacrificed their lives in the Iraq War, he said.

Tony Yapias, director of the Utah Office of Hispanic Affairs, said this is the first time Utah's Hispanic community has held such a ceremony.

"It's so important for us as Latinos to honor them for their service and sacrifice," he said. "As a community we grieve together."

Kay H. Patridge of Harper Ward, a retired Army major with Veterans of Foreign Wars, said "it's awesome" that noncitizens are willing to fight, and die, for the United States.

"I was in the Army beginning when they had a draft," said Patridge. "Now it's all volunteer. They volunteered. That's awesome."

Members of the Provo High School Junior ROTC participated in a flag ceremony.

Mario Martin Del Campo, 16, said it's important to "honor soldiers killed."

Clint Carter, 14, agreed, saying "they are all serving our country."

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com