Laredo honors sacrifice of fallen Marine
Marine Lance Cpl. David Lee Espinoza of Laredo, one of 13 U.S. service members killed in a suicide attack in Afghanistan last month, was laid to rest Monday in the city cemetery, concluding several days of remembrance for the fallen soldier.
Espinoza was born on July 10, 2001, just a few months before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the start of the war in Afghanistan. He was killed on Aug. 26 when suicide bombers attacked the Kabul airport as Espinoza and other U.S. military personnel tried to help desperate Afghans escape the country.
Espinoza, 20, was buried Monday in the military section of the Laredo cemetery after a funeral at St. Patrick’s Church. Streets throughout the city were filled with flags as residents gathered to honor him.
Bishop James Anthony Tomayo presided over the noon Mass at St. Patrick’s. Afterward, Espinoza’s flag-draped casket was transported to Lyndon B. Johnson High School, his alma mater, in a military procession. Tears filled the eyes of many spectators along the route.
“It was a heartfelt, bittersweet moment to see one of our own Marines’ funeral procession,” said Mari Lee Paez, a staff member at Laredo’s United Independent School District. “Yet it was a great honor for our local residents and veterans to join for his last farewell. Our hearts go out to his family and friends for this honorable day.”
An overcast and occasionally rainy sky gave way to sunlight after the cortège entered the school grounds.
“It was something very moving to see how even the weather permitted for this to happen,” Paez said.
The high school band played a musical tribute to the slain Marine.
As Espinoza’s casket arrived at the city cemetery, Marines took the American flag from the casket and handed it to Espinoza’s mother, Elizabeth Holguin.
At the cemetery, dignitaries including Rep. Henry Cuellar, DLaredo, Laredo Mayor Pete
Saenz and Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina praised Espinoza’s selflessness and sense of duty.
“Days ago, a U.S. Marine fell, and today his body was blessed and will be buried,” Saenz said. “He was a son, a brother, a friend, but more importantly, he was a proud U.S. Marine. He served and died true to the motto of Semper Fidelis.”
“This community is deeply, deeply grateful for everything he did — his commitment, his service and more importantly, his sacrifice,” Saenz said. “David Lee, we salute you. You are indeed an inspiration.”
Veterans who attended the ceremony said it felt like losing a brother.
“He died for a war older than himself,” said former Army specialist Joshua Alvarez. “He entered service, knowing his nation was at war, and he joined openly and without reservation. He and his comrades deserve my highest respects. I honor them, and I pray that their sacrifices are not made in vain. May he rest with God, and may his family have peace.”