Military Wall of Honor

Pfc. Gustavo A. Rios-Ordonez, 25, of Englewood, Ohio, died June 20, 2011 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered by an improvised explosive device that detonated while he was on foot patrol in southern Afghanistan in Kandahar province. He was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

Gustavo, born in Pereira, Colombia, was not a citizen of the United States. He moved to the U.S. in his early 20s, joined the military because he wanted to fight for this country, use the military to help pay for college and to make his daughters proud.

 He leaves behind his wife, Tiffani Rios, 22, and their two daughters, ages 2 and 7 months, said his mother-in-law, Diane Salisbury. “He was the best father, husband, man and friend anyone could have asked for,” she said. “I couldn’t be more proud of him.”

Gustavo trained at Fort Benning, Ga., and then was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. He deployed to Afghanistan in February 2011, and received the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

He met his wife, Tiffany Rios, when she began hanging out at an area restaurant managed by his mother and they married in 2009. She says, “He is really an amazing person. He’s nice to everyone, and he didn’t have any problems with anyone.” Tiffany added, “He loved soccer and his girls most of all. The girls have no clue what is going on.”

Rios said that in light of President Obama’s announcement of troop withdrawals, she’s resentful. “It makes me mad. I wish they would have done it sooner. I didn’t want him over there at all. I’m just thinking of my daughters. That is the only reason I am staying sane now.” She stated that it was her husband’s first overseas deployment and that he signed up to serve in the Army in April of 2011.

Lord, bless and protect Gustavo, his family and friends. We love Gustavo for serving our country and honor his sacrifice for us.
Thank you Lord, for your sacrifice on the cross and your gift to us of eternal life.

YouTube video
Dignified Transfer US Army PFC Gustavo A. Rios-Ordonez

Credits:
http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/wife-of-slain-area-soldier-mourns-loss-1191367.html