This raised to three the number of Fil-Am casualties in Iraq in just a week. The first casualty was Sgt. Correa, of the elite U.S. Army Rangers, who was killed May 29 when a similar improvised explosive devise exploded near his position in Ilbu, Falris, Iraq while on foot patrol.

Correa was buried June 15 in Lingayen, the hometown of his parents, 1971 Constitutional Convention Delegate Ricardo Primicias and Ma. Minda Correa.

S/Sgt. Gagarin’s father, Retired US Air Force Master Sgt. Ernesto V. Gagarin, 73, said “my family and I are very proud of him because he served the US Army for the sake of democracy."

The elder Gagarin said his son was set to retire two years from now and planned to stay in Candon City, together with his family.

S/Sgt. Gagarin was born on January 4, 1970 in Catirman, Candon City.

Petitioned by his father who was then still in active service in the U.S. Air Force, the young Gagarin migrated to the U.S. at the age of 10. S/Sgt. Gagarin was assigned to Iraq several times. At one time, he was deployed to South Korea, near the North Korean border. He returned to Fort Louis in Washington State and lately volunteered to be assigned to Iraq.

S/Sgt. Gagarin was survived by his wife, Alma, who is also a native of Candon City, who now lives with two kids in Taguig, Metro Manila.

House Deputy Speaker Eric Singson expressed his condolence to the bereaved family of Gagarin after being informed that the remains of the Filipino-American soldier will be brought here to be buried.

“It is a great honor of Ilocos Sur to have the likes of S/Sgt. Greg Phil Gagarin, who sacrificed his life to preserve democracy, which is the main reason why the United States is deploying troops in Iraq," Singson said.

Richard Correa, whose nickname was “Valiant” died in Iraq late last month when an improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near his position during a dismounted patrol in Ilbu Falris, Iraq on May 29.

He was a squad leader assigned to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division based in Fort Drum, New York.

Brig. Gen. Tom Landwermeyer, assistant division commander for support of the 2nd Infantry Division based in Korea, led the American servicemen who gave Correa full military honors.

Landwermeyer also presented Correa’s parents, Ricardo Primicias and Maria Minda Correa, the posthumous awards for the young soldier: the Bronze Star Medal, the fourth highest US military award for gallantry in action; a Purple Heart medal; and an Army Good Conduct Medal. Correa’s body arrived here June 11 and was after a four-day wake. His parents said they hope his death was not in vain and that the US would eventually bring peace and stability to Iraq.

“Valiant gave his life to a cause he sincerely believed in and it is our hope that... the adopted country he embraced, loved and eventually gave his life for, will succeed in its mission," Correa?’ sister, Ivy Primicias-Nalupta, said at the necrological services for her brother at the Lingayen Catholic Church.

Correa was given full US military burial honors at the family-owned private lot across the municipal cemetery in Barangay Maniboc here, with a funeral honor guard from the 8th Army Korea.

“He did it for love of country. He believed in what he did. He wanted to make a difference," aid Correa’ uncle, Jorge Correa, who had made the petition that enabled his nephew to migrate to the US.

Nalupta said her brother had wanted to study, planned to marry his American fiancee Corey Dell and start his own family.

Their family had planned to hold a reunion during the wedding but were reunited at his burial instead.

She said joining the military was her brother’ dream, adding that although his parents, his fianc_e and relatives dissuaded him from enlisting in the army, he insisted: “his is my life and this is what I want."

The young Correa finished high school in 1999 at the Lingayen Educational Center here and emigrated to the US at the age of 17. He enlisted in the United States Air Force on Nov. 17, 1999 and finished a four-year term prior to enlisting in the United States Army on July 14, 2004.

He was a highly decorated soldier, having received multiple awards and decorations like the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab and several Air Force awards.