Another death in Iraq, another funeral here

Just after Thanksgiving last year I posted about how the post-holiday scene in San Antonio and the nearby small town of Falls City had been darkened by shadows of tragic deaths and funerals. The small-town funeral involved an Army sergeant killed in Iraq. You may also remember, dear reader, my first-of-this-year posting about a wounded soldier visited here by a seminary friend of mine and others from his Fort Worth church.

Well, the war "over there" has hit closer to home for me now. A woman of my Westside church, Flora Patiño, had three sons: David, Ernest and Hector. I'd only met the youngest, Hector, once or twice. He was "the adventuresome one" of the trio of sons, and was a civilian supply contractor in Iraq. Hector was slain by so-called "friendly fire". The details of the incident are sketchy and contradictory, and an investigation is in progress. So I don't wish to share much about the incident, save to report that it was at a checkpoint guarded by Australian military armed with machine guns. But even ONE so-called "friendly fire" death is one too many in any combat situation. (We should be shooting the other guys, NOT our own!) And in THIS war there seem to have been a strangely high number of "friendly fire" deaths.

Hector was an Eagle Scout, husband and father, a military veteran who loved his country, and was building a fair-size "dream home" for his extended Patiño family, on picturesque Canyon Lake due north of here in the Hill Country. Emphasis on the "was". Now who Hector was -- good, bad and outstanding -- is history. Thanks to "friendly fire". Thanks to a war which more and more SEEMS to be turning into quicksand for the good ol' U.S. of A.

Please don't get me wrong. I stand behind our President and Commander-in-Chief. I keep in mind the good news that our biased and ultra-liberal press doesn't report from Iraq. Such as schools and clinics our forces are building for grateful Iraqis. Such as the fact that most folk are heartily glad that the dictator was overthrown and now has been executed for his heinous crimes against his own people. Nevertheless, one cannot argue against the reality that SOMETHING needs to change in our operations "over there". If for no other reason than to eliminate the atrocity of "friendly fire".

Back to Hector Patiño. There was a prayer service for him last evening at the funeral home. I didn't get to attend, due to prior commitment. But I heard it was a good prayer service, complete with an endearing slide show of Hector's life.

His funeral took place this morning, at Mexican Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Our Pastor, Sister Liz Sanchez, gave a fine message about the risen Savior Jesus as our hope, for this life as well as the life beyond the grave. Before her sermon, Elder Robert Santana sang a beautiful rendition of "El Pescador de Hombres" ("The Fisher of Men" in English) -- probably my favorite song en español. Afterward a quartet of Hector's cousins sang "Amazing grace" and invited all present to sing along. Following the burial at San Fernando Cemetery Number Three out toward the former Kelly AFB, there was a luncheon back at the church.

The occasion that caused Hector's death may be tragic, but at least we who love Jesus have our crucified and risen Savior's Spirit to comfort us who mourn. Not only comfort thru our faith in Him, but also thru our loving fellowship with one another. Blessed be the Body of Christ on Earth. And "rest in peace" to one who died as part of the war effort "over there". Que descansa en paz, Hector.