On the evening of Wednesday, September 5, a call came to the Youth Ranch office in Ingram that no parent ever wants to get. Javier Paredes, HCYR ’02, had lost his life earlier that day in defense of U. S. efforts to free Iraq. He was 24 years old.

Paredes, an Army Medic, was killed by a rocket-propelled grenade while pulling a wounded soldier from a battle with insurgents in Baghdad. His army brothers, who flew to San Antonio from Iraq for the military funeral, remembered Javier as a hero. Platoon Sergeant Harrison, who worked daily with Paredes, said, "He was my best Medic. Every day he hit home runs for us. On his last day, he hit it out of the park. He was fearless when working to save others."

Lieutenant Hunt, who also worked with Javier, read proclamations from President Bush presenting PFC Paredes with the Purple Heart and Bronze Star, as well as Iraq distinguished service medallions. Said Hunt with obvious emotion, "He was a soldier of great character, brave and dedicated. I personally observed him pulling out wounded from a fight just two days before he was killed."

The military service was conducted by Brigadier General James Gilman, Commanding General of Brooke Army Medical Center. Many military and civilian dignitaries attended, including three Army Generals and S. A. Mayor Phil Hardberger. A horse-drawn hearse and honor guard brought Paredes to his gravesite in the Ft. Sam Houston cemetery, where a tear-filled group of Youth Ranch representatives joined family and friends to say goodbye. An honor guard delivered a 21-gun salute, then a lone soldier played Taps.Dignitaries spoke about Javier’s sacrifice and paid their respects to mourners.

As I observed the solemn ceremonies, it struck me what a high tribute the Army was paying a young man who had so little in life, and how his character had risen to the occasion of his dangerous assignment. Our heroes, I reflected, have often come from such unlikely beginnings.

Javier’s start in life was anything but auspicious. By the age of five he had suffered severe abuse, including cigarette burns all over his body, wounds suffered at the hands of his family. He and his siblings were removed for abuse and neglect from their home in 1990. A 1991 Bexar County court document described the conditions in their home when they were rescued by Child Protective Services. "The home had no water, no heat, no locks, no food, and no plumbing," the report said. To escape those conditions, Javier even spent time as a small child living in a cardboard box beneath a bridge.

After their rescue, Javier and his brother Michael spent seven years between 1991 and 1998 in and out of foster homes throughout Texas, until they finally found a home at the Youth Ranch in February, 1998, where they spent the next five years growing up and going to school. Javier graduated in May 2002 from Ingram Tom Moore High School.

Staff members at the Ranch remember Javier as being intrigued by everything he encountered, and finding joy in the simplest of moments. Despite his deprivation, he was a happy person determined to make something of his life. He remained remarkably innocent for all the abuse he had survived.

When he found his way into the Army and became a medic, he found something that really fit. He loved to help people. Javier was outspokenly proud of his new role in the Army, and was dedicated to his fellow soldiers and the people of Iraq. We are proud that he listed us in Army records as his family, and we are glad he found his meaning in service.

But our Youth Ranch family is profoundly saddened by Javier’s death. He was a person of great character and courage, who cared deeply about others, including his siblings and friends at the Ranch. He was our son, and his loss is immeasurable.

We are deeply aware that the world will never be the same without him, and we are struggling with the paradoxes war evokes. He gave his all to everything he did and became an honored hero despite his humble beginning. Unfortunately, he made the ultimate sacrifice. He had so little in life, but he gave it all up for his country.