Corporal Jose A. Velez, who often went by “Freddy” joined the Army in 2000 after graduating from high school. Velez was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, TX. He served in the infantry and deployed to Iraq in 2003. Velez was killed in Fallujah, Iraq while clearing an enemy strongpoint. He was awarded two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star, and a Silver Star.

“Freddy was a sweetheart. He always loved to make you smile and laugh. He was the comforter in our family. He was the friend you could always count on and lean on when things were tough. He always thought of others before himself,” remembers his sister Monica Velez.

Velez was survived by his father, Roy Velez, sister, Monica Velez, brother, Andrew Velez, and wife, Nickie Velez.