{"article":{"id":169718,"heading":"Local Soldier, Andres Contreras, Killed in Iraq","author":"DJ","created":"2006-07-21 16:38:22","modified":"2013-11-11 00:42:23","last_modified":"Mon, 11 Nov 2013 07:42:23","article":"

Polk soldier killed in Baghdad by IED

Sgt. Andres Jonathan Contreras, a native of Huntington Park, Calif., was killed by an IED on July 15 in Baghdad.

Memorial service planned for Contreras on Friday

From News Services

FORT POLK - The Department of Defense announced yesterday the identity of a Fort Polk Soldier who was killed while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Andres Jonathan Contreras, 24, of Huntington Park, Calif., died Saturday, July 15, in Baghdad, Iraq.

Contreras died of injuries sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device during combat operations.

Contreras was a Military Policeman assigned to the 258th Military Police Company, 519th Military Police Battalion, 1st Combat Support Brigade (Provisional), Mission Enhancement.

Contreras joined the Army in Aug. of 2000 and arrived at Fort Polk in February of 2002.

“Fort Polk mourns the loss of one of our great Soldiers. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time,” the Army said in a release.

A memorial service to honor Contreras is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Friday, July 21 at the Main Post Chapel, here. The incident remains under investigation.

Copyright © 2006 Leesville Daily Leader<\/p>\n","contact":"","link":"http:\/\/www.leesvilledailyleader.com\/articles\/2006\/07\/19\/news\/news1.txt","address":"","phone":"","parent_id":0,"mime_type":"image\/jpeg","summary":"Staff Sgt. Andres Jonathan Contreras, 24, of Huntington Park, Calif., died Saturday, July 15, in Baghdad, Iraq. Contreras died of injuries sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device during combat operations. ","numcomment":8,"fileurl":"\/uploads\/2006\/07\/andres_contreras.jpg","filesize":"16.5 kibibytes","article_url":"\/news\/2006\/07\/169718.php","image":{"original":"\/uploads\/2006\/07\/andres_contreras.jpg","small":"\/uploads\/2006\/07\/andres_contreras.jpgthumb.jpg"}},"attachments":[],"comments":[{"id":169975,"heading":"Funeral Info","article":"SSG Contreras' funeral will be on 25 July 2006 (Tuesday) at 10 AM at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lynwood, California.\r\n\r\nAddress is 3801 Cortland Ave, Lynwood, California. \r\n\r\nBurial ceremony will be that same day at 2 PM at the Riverside National Cemetery.","author":"DJ","parent_id":169718,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2006-07-22 21:07:11","modified":"2006-07-22 21:07:11","fileurl":""},{"id":171626,"heading":"ARISE MY SON","article":"ARISE MY SON\r\nby jb Anton\r\n\r\nArise my Beloved Prince! Face the morning Sun!\r\n\tFor there to the East in Desolate Lands,\r\nThe War I feared has begun.\r\n\tI knew this day was coming;\r\nI knew it from the start.\r\n\tWhy was I chosen among all men\r\nTo sire your magnificent heart?\r\n\tYour Majestic Father, the King of all Kings,\r\nHas sorely tested my faith and belief;\r\n\tHow could He not know I would love you,\r\nPerhaps bear some unspeakable grief?\r\n\tWhy weren\u2019t you born of wealth and fame,\r\nThe son of some higher man?\r\n\tThen mercifully I could live in Darkness,\r\nBlinded to His Heavenly Plan.\r\n\tI hear the Archangel\u2019s Trumpet, my son,\r\nCalling the Warriors from out of the West.\r\n\tThe Time of Battle is upon us;\r\nYou must now take your place with the rest.\r\n\tHow strong and straight you are, my son;\r\nI\u2019m so filled with loving pride.\r\n\tYou are the image of your Heavenly Father\r\nBy whom both of us were tried.\r\n\tGo quickly now to do your Father\u2019s Work;\r\nI dare no more to speak.\r\n\tPlease don\u2019t look back at your old Dad;\r\nJust kiss me on the cheek.\r\n","author":"jb Anton","parent_id":169718,"mime_type":"text\/plain","created":"2006-07-31 08:53:19","modified":"2013-11-11 00:43:15","fileurl":""}]}