PR: Puerto Rican soldier pays the ultimate price in Iraq

ARECIBO (AP) – Sgt. Melvin Mora Lopez, a 28 year-old native of Arecibo, was killed on Sunday in Iraq, joining the ranks of Puerto Rican casualties of the United States’ War on Terror.

Jose Pagan, local U.S. Army spokesman, said Lopez was killed when a mortar exploded near him.

"The incident occurred during a surprise attack on Camp Cooke, were the Sgt. Mora Lopez was stationed,” said Pagan in a prepared statement.

Camp Cooke, which was established in the former Al Taji Air Base, is 27 km northwest of Baghdad.

According to Pagan, Sgt. Mora Lopez was single and had relocated to the United States nine years ago, where he joined the Army Reserves 245th Maintenance Company based in St. Louis, Missouri.

The victims parents, who live in Arecibo’s Jarelito neighborhood, were notified on Sunday evening about the death of their son

My condolences go out to Sgt. Lopez's family, and, in their grief, may God give them comfort. May God's eternal light shine upon him, and may he rest in peace.