Local Texas Guardsman killed in action

Sgt. Jaime Gonzalez, 40, from Dale, Texas, died Aug. 3, 2008 while conducting duties as part of a security team. Fatal injuries were sustained when his convoy encountered an Improvised Explosive Device in the vicinity of Kabul, Afghanistan. He is the fifth combat fatality in the Texas Army National Guard since World War II.
Gonzalez entered military service as a sailor

in the United States Navy on Nov. 20, 1989. He served six years in the Navy and went to the Navy Reserves on Sept. 20, 1995 where he served an additional two years.
Gonzalez joined the Texas Army National Guard on Nov. 10, 2006 as a Private First Class. He was promoted to Specialist on May 10, 2007 and posthumously promoted to Sergeant on Aug. 3, 2008.
Sgt. Gonzalez was ordered to active duty on Nov. 26, 2007, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and mobilized with his unit, the 436th Chemical Company, based in Laredo, Texas. The unit spent more than two months at Ft Bragg, N.C., conducting training in preparation for its overseas mission. Its assigned mission was to provide Security Forces for Camp Eggers, Kabul, Afghanistan.
The sergeant”s death is the first to occur amongst the members of this unit, which continues to serve in theater.
Gonzalez is survived by his wife, children, brother and parents.
Additional information regarding Sgt. Gonzalez will be posted at www.post-register.com as it becomes available through this week and the weekend.
(Courtesy of Susan Ribiero)