Spc. Irving Medina
United States Army
KIA 14 Nov 2003
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22, of Middletown, N.Y.; assigned to 4th Battalion, 1st Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade
Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Riley, Kan.; killed Nov. 14 while traveling in a convoy
when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Baghdad.

Tributes

This Memorial Page Established by-Ivan E. Medina
In Honor Of SPC Irving E. Medina
"It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It
takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle." General Norman
H. Schwarkopf, Retired.

Irving E. Medina was born in Mexico City, Mexico on July 14,1981, a
few minutes before his twin brother Ivan. Irving Medina, an army
specialist, died in Iraq on November 14, 2003, at the age of 22. When the boys
were four years old, their father left for the United States in the
hope of improving opportunities for his family. At the age six, the family
reunited and the boys came to live in the United States, in Goshen,
New York. At Goshen High School in Goshen, New York. Irving was a Star
Soccer Player. He helped to send the Goshen High School team to the Final
Four Finals in Batavia, NY. He played soccer for many leagues around
Orange County, NY. After graduation Irving helped taught local children
Soccer through a program at Orange County Community College, where he
was studying. All three Children joined the military. Ivan has said that
they wanted to give something back to the country that had given so
much. The twins older sister is a sergeant in the Army Reserves. Irv!
ing Medina joined the Army in August 2001 and was sent to basic
training and AIT at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Irving then was station at Ft Riley,
Kansas. On April of 2003 Irving unit was sent to Kuwait in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom. Irvings twin brother, Ivan, was already in
Iraq. Irving was station in Baghdad, Iraq after March 2003. Irving Medina
died when an explosive device struck his convoy in Baghdad on November
14, 2003. Shrapnel went into his head and he died ten hours later. On
November 22, 2003 Irving was laid to rest in Orange County Veterans
Cemetery. Irvings family will always miss him but will remember his smile,
his laughter, and his positive attitude for the rest of their lives. He
will always be a hero who answers his nation calling when needed. Now
Irving watches his family and friends from heaven. He will always answer
the call when he is needed. Irving left behind his positive attitude
and was know to many for his kindness. Irving loved the Iraqi child!
ren and fought for them to have a better future. Irving will always li
ve on through the children and friends. Irving is miss every day and
will never live on through the many life's he touch.

                               "Letter From Heaven"

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say.....

but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay. I'm writing
this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above. here, there's no more tears
of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight. Remember that
I'm with you every morning, noon, and night. That day I had to leave you
when my life on earth was through, God picked me up and hugged me and
he said

"I welcome you. It's good to have you back again; you were missed while
you were gone. As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on. I
need you here badly; you'r part of my plan. There's so much that we
have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do. And foremost
on the list, was to watch and care for you. And when you lie in bed at
night, the day's chores put to flight. God and I are closest to
you...in the middle of the night. When you think of my life on earth, and all
those loving years because you are only human they are bound to bring
you tears. But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would no flowers, unless there was some rain. I wish that I
could tell you all that God has planned. But if I were to tell you, you
wouldn't understand. But one thing is for certain, though my life on
earth is over. I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before. There are
many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb; but together we
can do it by taking one day at a time. It was always my philosophy and
I'd like it for you too... that as you give unto the world, the world
will give to you. If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,!
then you can say to God at night.... "My day was not in vain. And now
I am contented... that my life has been worthwhile, knowing as I
passed along the way, I made somebody smile."

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low, just lend a hand to
pick him up, as on your way you go. When you're walking down the
street, and you've got me on your mind; I'm walking in your footsteps only
half a step behind. And when it's time for you to go... from that body
to be free, remember you're not going.... you're coming here to me...



Ruth Ann Mahaffey