Staff Sgt. Samuel Maldonado Rosario

Staff Sgt. Samuel Maldonado Rosario was born November 3, 1987 in Ponce, Puerto Rico and died October 9, 2009 in Ellsworth, South Dakota.

S. Sgt. Rosario, of Killeen, Texas had lived there since he was 10 years old. He graduated from Harker Heights High School in 2005 and entered the United States Air Force on September 13, 2005 where he served faithfully and honorable until his death.

He was trained as a B-1 crew chief, and then was assigned to the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota where he worked as a B-1 dedicated crew chief. His assignments included a deployment to Al Udied Air Base in 2006 for six months in support of the war on terror.

Funeral services were held on October 19, 2009 at the Mt. Sinai Church in Killeen, Texas followed by interment at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen.

Patriot Guard Riders rode to the funeral home in Killeen and escorted the hearse to the church. A line of American Flags was formed at the entrance of the church to welcome arriving family and friends. After the services, the Riders escorted the hearse to the cemetery and formed a line of American Flags at the entrance to the committal shelter while final services and full military honors were rendered.

An Air Force honor guard from San Antonio, Texas honored this brave man with three volleys of fire, signifying honor, duty and country, the folding of the American Flag and presentation to the family, and the playing of taps.

The services concluded with the rendering of the Puerto Rico National Anthem by a soprano soloist.

S. Sgt. Rosario was then laid to rest on the wind swept plain of the cemetery, as his family looked on and the American Flag flew at half-staff in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, daughter, father and step-mother, a sister and many other loving family and friends.

The National Anthem of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

La Borinqueña

The land of Borinquen
Where I have been born
Is a flowery garden
Of magical beauty.

A constantly clear sky
Serves as its canopy
And placid lullabies are sung
By the waves at its [Borinquen’s] feet.

When at her beaches Columbus arrived
Full of awe he exclaimed,
Oh!, oh!, oh!, this is the lovely land
That I seek”

Borinquen is the daughter,
The daughter of the sea and the sun.
Of the sea and the sun,
Of the sea and the sun,
Of the sea and the sun,
Of the sea and the sun.

[with thanks to Freedom Remembered for biographical information.]

http://freedomremembered.com/index.php/staff-sgt-samuel-maldonado-rosario/