Texas veteran who urged his son to enlist rejoins the Army himself after his son is killed in Iraq because he wants to be a "positive influence o

FORT WORTH, Texas, March 18 A Texas man has re-enlisted in the Army after his son was shot and killed in Iraq.

Francisco T. Paco Martinez, 43, felt guilt after his son, 17-year-old Paquito died in Iraq, because he feels he strongly encouraged his son to join the military, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. With advice from his father, Paquito joined the military and was deployed to Iraq. On March 20, 2005, Paquito was fatally shot in the back by a sniper in Ramadi.

A reporter who had been with Paquito and his brigade at the time of the shooting, described the teenager as very likable and lively.

Paco Martinez eventually, a former staff sergeant in the Air Force, persuaded his wife to support him in re-enlisting as a way to honor Paquito.

I may not be able to end the war or end the atrocities such as Haditha or Abu Ghraib, but if I can positively influence one of those 20-year-old kids and help him, maybe somebody else is going to come home safe, he told the Star-Telegram.

[link to www.earthtimes.org]