Article found at: http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/11231951.html
By Larry Altman
Staff Writer
Man on the Moon trailer “Home,” Army Spc. Lester Roque wrote, “is where she is.”
The South Bay soldier was biding his time, serving the United States in Afghanistan, waiting for “three months to go” before he could return home to his beloved wife, Leikathryn.
“The first time I saw you, I felt something different,” the 23-year-old man wrote to his wife on his Friendster Web site. “It’s like no other. I knew you were heaven sent.”
Roque never made it home to the South Bay. He died Saturday from wounds suffered a day earlier. Insurgents attacked his patrol in the eastern Afghan city of Aranus, fatally wounding him and killing four comrades in his unit.
Matthew C. Ferrara, 24, a 1st lieutenant from Torrance, died Friday in the same attack. Roque and Ferrara were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team based in Italy.
According to the NATO International Security Assistance Force, six ISAF service members and three Afghan National Army Soldiers were killed. Insurgents attacked their foot patrol with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.
The combined force fought back with small arms, machine guns, mortars, artillery and close-air support.
Eight ISAF service members and 11 Afghan soldiers were wounded.
No one answered the door Monday evening at Roque’s condominium in the unincorporated area between Harbor City and Carson.
But on their Web sites, Lester and Leikathryn – who went by Lyka – described their love affair and a longing to be reunited.
“You are part of God’s army now,” someone posted below a picture of Lester on his wife’s site.
A native of the Philippines, Lester listed his hometown as Marikina City, where he attended school.
It was unclear when he arrived in the United States, but he listed himself as a graduate of the Claret School of Quezon City, class of 2001.
“I’m just this regular guy,” he wrote. “But with someone special in my life, life is good. I love my Honey! Full time hubby. My home is where she is, where my life is.”
In return, his 24-year-old wife proclaimed her love. She listed her occupation as “loving, obeying and serving her husband,” and her hobbies and interests as “falling into a debate with Lester about who loves who more!”
“After much self-dissection, I still think I love him more, but I love that he disagrees,” she wrote.
On Nov. 7, two days before the attack, Roque posted a message to his wife, again declaring his love and his distaste for being away from her.
“I’m still here, but I wish I could be in your arms instead,” he wrote. “I’m starting to hate (it) here now, just seeing you there kinda tears me apart. I don’t wish for you to be here with me, I wanna be there with you.”
Mourners began offering their condolences on the couple’s sites as word spread of the loss.
“You’ll forever be remembered,” one person named Sheilla wrote. “Such a sweet and gentle soul.”
“We will forever love you,” a person named Evelyn wrote. “You are a hero. But for now, you are a soldier of God. How I wish this was all a bad dream. We love you. Thank you for giving meaning in our lives. We all miss you.”
Wrote DeeJay: “My brother Lester, my (heart) goes out to you. I salute you!!!”
larry.altman@dailybreeze.com Jack and Old Mac rip
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I guess I won’t have a Desert Eagle from him anymore, What about this guy? As far as I could remember, he’s one of the few guys I got acquainted with during our summer enrichment program @ Claret, its like its a prep-up program before entering high school.
He’s one of the guys that I got easy to get along with. During break times we end up playing basketball and became friends. We became classmates during our first year, but Lester’s much studious and I’m in the stage of rebellion and neglected studies that time, so on the succeeding our 2nd year, he’s at the cream section and yeah I’m on the crap section.
We never lost contact though since we end up playing counterstrike after school hours, but of course, new faces arrived and we separate ways for a moment. Then on our third year, the application for COC’s (Cadet Officer Candidate Course) was opened and that gave way for us to meet again. Lester’s one of our rifle exhibitionist, while I’d rather off and take lead with the flight. On funny thing I remember about this guy is his 10 peso nipple. :gg: By the time he noticed it, after PE classes, he usually hides to get changed, avoiding us to laugh at him. But when the COC training ends, he became one of the highest officers in our batch.
I still remember a CAT training, when the cadets are having an exam. I was going to the HQ with Maruquez from Flight Delta or Echo, pleading at me to get him an examination paper. I simply said: “Kay Operations(Lester) ka magpaalam wag saken, wala akong pake sayo. (Go to Ops and tell your crap.)” So we head to HQ and he was there checking the test papers. Maruquez asked for a test paper and Lester gave him one. Except for one condition. Finish the paper in 1 minute. Sadly that airman wasn’t able to finish his paper on time but he passed the paper to him. Lester crushed the paper on his face while I was on my desk laughing out loud. :gg: The next thing I heard, the guys are having rumbling over their classrooms. :gg:
You’ll never be bored with this guy, he can actually crack a joke that can start a fight and he loves that, but when you try to rettaliate with the 10 peso joke, he’s out. Hehehe. When we graduated, the guy landed at UST and took his first year there. The next thing I saw on his friendster profile, he’s at the boot camp and training for the US Air Force. What do you know? He didn’t make it to PMA but to be a paratrooper, that’s really something to be proud of!
Anyway, I’m just trying to doze off right now coz’ I’m still shocked about the incident. Artemon(Squadron Charlie Cmdr.) informed about this incident a while ago, I didn’t believe it till I saw the article above. My sincerest sympathy and prayers are with you and your loved ones. Where ever you are, we know that you are in peace, no more wars to take but you’ll be one of our “guards” for now. Go bust some demon’s head off now buddy! :no1: Farewell Ops.
By the way, if my co-CO’s are reading this post now, please feel free to contact me, let’s try to meet and have a mass for our buddy.
Pictures of Lester @ Afghanistan and with his loved one, Lyka (Taken from Lester’s Friendster Profile).
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update: yeah, Lester was also a part of the Dorobokidz, the noobs who would turn out to be a strong force during the paintball tourney way back 2001. as Derrick said: “We lost a comrade but the DKdz blood will always be with us.” Amen to that Eine. :no1:
Good Work Soldier~ *Salute*
Lester will always be a D-kid. :no1:
I can’t believe we’ve lost one of our brothers so soon. Prayers for him.
Pugay Kamay!….. Na!
We’ll play the TAPS for you… Lester
Paalam Laster…
baba… Na!
This is Ms. Carlos of Claret School of Quezon City. Learning about what happened to Lester sent us thoughts about how he had made a difference to this School, and in our lives, while he was a student here… We have so much fond memories about him.
Lester was remembered in our prayers, especially during last Monday’s 6:30 A.M. Mass at our Chapel with Fr. Buddy, the School Director, celebrating the Mass.
Lester is a Claretian… and he’ll forever hold a special place in our hearts…
15 November 2007
Thanks Lester for making my Drafting projects before!!! Kidding aside of course.
You will always be remembered as a person who helped others. When you migrated to the states, you are actually one of my constant chatters in YM. Thanks for keeping me company during those times of loneliness.
Hello Claretian here
RIP fallen soldier
Squa-A Ade, WS-2 Harry : Inangat nya yung bandila ng batch ng CAT satin. Sabi saken ni Rainier(DS-2) pati si Kim(Squa-B) asa US Airforce na rin.
Ma’am Carlos: Ma’am, thanks for dropping by in my site, if possible we’d like to drop by to the school again to pay him tribute. Lester’s one of the most responsible student and CO in our batch.
Luke: Oo, nagpatulong rin ako jan ke Lester sa drafting. Lol. Musta ka na?
Joseph: Kapatid ka ba ni Robby? Salamat rin sa pagdalaw.
Condolence to Batch 2001 especially to all Lester’s Family and Relatives. It’s a big loss for the Claretian Community especially a person who gave his life not only for USA but for being proud as a pinoy. Lester wherever you are, ill pray for your soul until you reached heaven. RIP Lester Roque
Good Soldier and Claretian for life!
I salute!
Prayers for our beloved brother Lester.
he was a good senior officer..
my prayers for you and your loved ones..
may you rest in peace..
Sorry, Im not Robby’s brother… Im from a brood of older Claretians from 80’s early 90’s.
Feel free to drop by Claret, I am also part of alumni association, every returning Claretian is welcomed in the school. Dont forget to visit the Alumni room
he will be missed.
he was a good guy.
my respects
i was shocked at first upon learning this…
but am glad that somebody working for peace, who was a classmate of mine, is now with God at peace…
may peace also be upon to those he left…
my sincerest condolences…
God bless us all!
I am so sorry to hear this…
Lester was a good friend…
My condolences to all the people that he has left behind….
From Batch ‘88, our heartfelt condolences to Lester’s family and friends. We also feel your loss. Lester was a fine Claretian and a fine man. He makes us all proud to be from the same school. He will not be forgotten.
Guys,
I’ll make a point that your posts will be sent over to the family of Lester. Thanks a lot. Our prayers will always be with him.
Even though you’ve lost your mortal shell, you will live and forever be engraved into our the hearts and minds. Rest in peace Lester may you find peace and sanctuary at the place of our God.
Condolence to the family of Lester Roque.
Wondering if Lester was originally from the town of Pandi in Bulacan.
Pls note that, I have posted in MyBesthome.net (aPhilippine Forum) the story and photos of Lester to serve as a tribute to him.
At the below weblink :
http://www.mybesthomes.net/forum/index.php?topic=2679.msg15335#msg15335
pls double click the above link and you will see the story and photos
I posted.
From Magdiwang
a native of Pandi, Bulacan
Thanks Magdiwangg, I’ve read that post too.
ERRATUM (Correction)
Attention to Claretians Batch 2001…
Official Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/csqc_batch_2001
Official Discussion Board (Claret Central): http://claret.suddenlaunch.com
Go and Register!!!
RIP bro… you will always be remembered…
requiescat in pace – Rest in Peace
Ad Astra Per Aspera – A rough road leads to the stars
my deepest condolences to Lester’s family and friends. Batch 2001 will always remember you Lester.
Even though I graduated five years later than he did, and there was no actual opportunity for contact.
I give Lester my condolences.
A brave soul rushing to the front lines, risking everything for a cause. The loss of a mortal shell, the bridge to the light.
You will always be remembered, brother. Rest in peace, for you are now in the hands of salvation.
breaking into to tears…my condolences
“In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.” we salute you lester
Rest in peace soldier. You’ll always be remembered!
Hi! i’m Lester’s eldest cousin, Ate Gem (sisters mom namin) where Lester & Leigh stayed last march/april.
I just want to thank you all for giving such a wonderful tribute to our dearest cousin. We all know that he’s in good hands now & serving our Lord. He’s now part of God’s soldier. He’ll forever cherished your memories in God’s paradise. Please continue to pray for him and give moral support to his loving wife-to-be Leigh. We’ll miss him so much!!! Thanks and God bless always!
Rest in Peace my Brother in Arms!!!
-SSG Ocampo
Carson, CA Native
Thanks for dropping by SSG Ocampo. We wish you guys well!
wow, im really surprised… i knew him…
Hello –
I am documentary filmmaker in the Bay Area doing a film on immigrants in the military. I am interested in Lester’s story, but cannot find out whether he was an immigrant or a US citizen at the time of his death. Could you please let me know? I would also like to talk with someone close to him (friends or family) that could tell me more about the kind of person he was, so if you have contact numbers, I would appreciate it.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you so much,
Anna Belle Peevey
Thanks for dropping by Anna Belle, I’d love to share what kind of person my friend was.
He’s our buddy..
Its hard to imagine..
We’ve lost a brother…
Mahigit isang taon na ang nakalipas pareng Lester.
Hindi ka namen makakalimutan. Hanngang sa ROTC sa USTE buddy pa din kita. Sa muling pagkikita tol.