Solider’s body brought home: Residents line streets in show of appreciation
U.S. Army Sgt. Conrad Alvarez’s casket is unloaded at the Big Spring Airport with the help of an honor guard from the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division while the Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle group stands at attention. Big Spring police and the Patriot Guard Riders escorted the family and the hearse carrying the soldier’s body to Myers & Smith Funeral Home. Hundreds of people lined the route to pay tribute to the fallen solider and his family.
By STEVE REAGAN Staff Writer Hundreds of local residents lined the streets in tribute as the body of U.S. Army Sgt. Conrad Alvarez returned home to Big Spring Tuesday.
An honor guard of soldiers with the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division was joined by Big Spring Police Department officers and members of the Patriot Guard Riders motorcycle group as they escorted the hearse carrying Sgt. Alvarez’s casket from the Big Spring Airport to Myers & Smith Funeral Home.
Along the route, hundreds of Big Spring residents, many carrying U.S. flags or messages of support, lined the streets in silent tribute to Alvarez, who was killed in action in Iraq last week.
Alvarez, 22, assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, was killed along with two other soldiers Feb. 19 in Baghdad after their vehicle was struck by a bomb, a Department of Defense news release stated.
He is the fifth Howard County resident and the second member of his family to die in that war-torn country since President George W. Bush ordered the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
His brother-in-law, Army Pfc. Kristian Menchaca, was kidnapped and later executed by extremists in 2006.
Alvarez was born in Sweetwater and raised in Roscoe before moving to Big Spring in 2004. He enlisted in the Army in 2005 and was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq at the time of his death.
He is survived by his wife, Maira, of Oakgrove, Ky., two daughters, Alyssa and Celeste, his mother and step-father, Belinda and Pete Garcia of Big Spring, sister Christina Menchaca, brother Timothy Alcala, plus an aunt and nephew.
A vigil service for Alvarez will be held at 7 p.m. today in Myers & Smith Funeral Home Chapel.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, followed by burial with full military honors at Mount Olive Memorial Park.
Public viewing of the casket will be held until Thursday’s services, said Bill Myers, director of Myers & Smith.
Contact Staff Writer Steve Reagan at 263-7331, ext. 234 or by e-mail at
My heart goes out to the family of Sgt.Conrad Alvarez. I had the Honor to of have meet him .While he was in Highschool at Roscoe.He will be a great lose to all who knew him. May God bliss his family in their time of sorrow. Frances Villegas Roscoe,Texas.
Posted by Frances Villegas, on February 27, 2008 at 14:44
IF TEARS COULD BUILD A STAIRWAY, AND MEMORIES A LANE,I'D WALK RIGHT UP TO HEAVEN AND BRING YOU HOME AGAIN.
Posted by JOSEPH R. MARTINEZ, on February 27, 2008 at 18:40
To Conrad's family and friends,
I pray that God helps all of you get through all that you are going through with the loss of another hero in your family. Conrad was a 1st Class Soldier, and loved by all off the troops he trained and served with, the Army has lost one of their best, and he will never be forgotten by his brothers in arms.
Posted by Phil and Sherry Shelts, on February 27, 2008 at 20:57
My condolences to all who knew you, may God take you to a better place,
you fought and died so others can be free and go to bad without fear in our hearts, although we not always make it clear to us you'll always be unsung heroes. Take care my fellow brother in arms.
Posted by Sgt Christopher Beserra, on February 28, 2008 at 16:16
Rest in Peace, Conrad. Thank you for your service to our country. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends. Sharon and Danny, Lakewood,WA
Posted by Retired First Sgt. Danny Bosser and wife Sharon, on February 28, 2008 at 19:22
Add comments to this article: Solider’s body brought home: Resi......
... this city because it reminds my family and I about our hometown back on the island of Kailua - Kona Hawaii. Well we love the people they are so welcoming and we tell our family about it and they say we are lucky to have picked a wonderful place to move to and I say "yes we are " my children love their school and their teachers i'm so glad that we moved here to give our children a better opportunity in life..
Michelle Maumau - Big Spring, TX
...i am scared to even have my kids outside because you never know if you are going to be in the crossfire of another one of the shootings.
