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Roadside bomb kills Hueneme man in Iraq
Soldier was on his second tour of duty
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MADERO
STORY TOOLS 
More from Local NewsJust hours after one family buried a son killed in Iraq, a few miles away Blas and Sybil Madero were being told by uniformed officers that their son, Army Spc. Vincent Alexander Madero, was killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol in Balad, Iraq.
On his second tour of duty, 22-year-old Madero had returned to the war zone in August with the 1st Cavalry Division's 2nd Battalion based in Fort Hood, Texas.
"A lot of people here did know him, and they should know what happened," his brother Daniel Hazelton said. "He did give his life, and we need to honor that. He was proud of what he was doing."
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a statement on learning of Madero's death. "Maria and I join the community of Port Hueneme in mourning the tragic loss of Specialist Vincent Madero. Serving as a member of our nation's armed forces requires courage and bravery, qualities which Vincent embodied. Our prayers are with his family and friends during this painful time; he will be dearly missed by all who knew him," Schwarzenegger wrote.
Madero's sister, Cassey Penn, said her brother kept in touch through e-mail, but there were times when he was so busy he couldn't write.
To check to see if he was OK, she and her brother would look at the login date on his MySpace page. He last signed on to it the day he died.
His family said he didn't talk much about the war but did not seem to have any trepidation about returning to Iraq.
"He told me he wanted to go back so he could help the younger guys," his sister said.
His only regret about returning, his father said, was that he did not get a chance to spend more time with his new wife, Ellen.
The two were married in June. His MySpace page is titled "Ellensloveloveguy." The page plays a loop of Audrey Hepburn singing "Moon River" from the movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's."
Madero wanted more time with her, and with her baby son from another relationship, his father said.
Madero had trained as an artillery spotter. He had previously served in a Stryker Brigade and was manning a turret gun when the Humvee he was riding in was hit Oct. 17. It was his day off, but he volunteered to go back out.
"We don't really know what happened, whether anyone else was hurt," said his mother as she clutched her husband's arm at the door of their Port Hueneme home. "We just know (his Humvee) caught fire."
The day Madero was killed two uniformed female officers came to his parents' home to tell them of their son's death. That same day, the family of Gilberto Meza, 21, who had been killed Oct. 6, buried their son in Oxnard.
Madero, who married Ellen just six months after returning from his first tour, attended Oxnard High School but graduated from Frontier High School in Camarillo, his father said.
When he joined the Army in 2003, it gave him focus, his family said. He was stationed in Alaska with the 172nd Stryker Brigade and served in Iraq through 2006 with the unit. He had only recently been assigned to Fort Hood before heading back to Iraq in August.
Madero's awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and Combat Action Badge.
Madero is survived by his parents, Blas and Sybil Madero of Port Hueneme; his wife, Ellen Madero; his brother Daniel Hazelton; and his sister Cassey Penn.
His family plans to bury Madero in Texas sometime next week, they said. Arrangements are by Zoeller Funeral Homes, 615 Landa St., New Braunfels, TX 78130.
Posted by caseyp94 on October 20, 2007 at 2:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so proud to call Vincent my brother. He did what a lot us would never think of doing. I hope everyone that reads this gives him the respect and honor that he deserves. He was the greatest person I've ever known. I will miss you so much my little big brother please look over us!!! I LOVE YOU!!
Posted by gramagracie on October 20, 2007 at 7:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Caseyp94, my family honors your brother Vincent. He truly was one of the brave. He and his fellow men go where others fear to go. They do this for us and for our country. He was truly a Patriotic American.
May God bring peace to you and your family.
Posted by GitRdone on October 20, 2007 at 7:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MY CONDOLENCES TO VINCENT'S FAMILY. TO HIS WIFE & SON, MAY GOD BE WITH YOU DURING YOUR DIFFICULT TIMES, & ESPECIALLY THE DAYS AHEAD. TO VINCENT'S PARENTS & SIBLINGS, GOD BLESS BOTH ALL OF YOU & BE AT PEACE KNOWING HE IS IN THE ARMS OF OUR LORD. THANK YOU VINCENT FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY !! GOD BLESS !!
Posted by christafrankmiller on October 20, 2007 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
From a military family's hearts, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family! Thank you for your sacrifices. What a brave young man he was and he will never be forgotten! God be with you and your family during this time of loss.
Posted by tracysfriend4ever on October 20, 2007 at 7:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Our condolences to the Madero Family. Our prayers are with you. We thank you Vincent and the many other soldiers who have given their lives to make it better for others. You deserve more than a medal for your bravery. Our son is also in Iraq fighting for our country.
Cerda Family of Oxnard,CA
Posted by 172ndSoldier on October 21, 2007 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I was in Vincent's Battery during our first Deployment with the 172nd Stryker Brigade and he was also my roommate back in Alaska. We had a lot of good laughs together and it kills me to read this. He was such a great guy, would always help you out when you needed it and would give you everything he had. He was a great and noble man and I miss him, my prayers are with his Family, as well as the prayers of the friends he still has here in Alaska. We miss you Vince.
CPL Collin Smith, former 4-11 FA, 172nd SBCT,
now 2-8 FA, 1-25 SBCT, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.
Posted by DianaPimentel on October 21, 2007 at 6:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My deepest condolences to Vince's parents, sister and brother. I have known Vince for almost 7 years now. I remember when he first went to Alaska talking to Nicole on web cam... him walking to the windows and showing us the snow... I remember Nicole telling me... hurry hurry come see Vince on my web cam and Vince dancing, doing the Sprinkler!!! I remember Vince coming home I think it may have been the first or second time to see Nicole.. how shy he was but yet so full of life!!! I will always remember the late night conversations that would go on every day on AIM that Vince and Nicole would share when I was trying to go to sleep... and I would hear her giggling! I will remember the calls made to Nicole telling her I have to hide because I don't want to get in trouble for being on the cell phone!! The most recent conversation where we all planned to hang out in December.. VINCE YOU WERE VERY MUCH LOVED by all of us and most of all Nicole... I know that you two had a unique and special relationship that could never be replaced... YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR HEARTS and NEVER FORGOTTEN.... My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends..
Posted by Archangel7 on October 24, 2007 at 9:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ellen, Sybil and Blas Madero
Vincent was assigned to my Battery in Alaska. I had the distinct privilege of serving with your son during his previous 16-month tour in Iraq. He served bravely, with dignity and the utmost professionalism, looking death in the eye every single one of those 479 days and never flinched. We endured hardships most cannot fathom. Through it all he constantly reminded me of all that was good and true in America, by his diligent and hard work ethic, calm demeanor and willingness to take the fight to the enemy. I for one was damn proud to have served next to him, for he was a true Warrior. I am positive he continued that valorous legacy with his current unit. Words cannot express our emotions as we learned of his passing. He will never be forgotten. Please know you have our most sincere respect and sorrow for your loss.
I am reminded of this quote:
" Dear Madam, ...........I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
-Abraham Lincoln"
Posted by AnnaWhaat on October 25, 2007 at 10:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My prayers and condolences to the family and loved ones. He had many!
You have to bury your son and bury all of americas HERO !!!! God Bless you all at this time of such a great loss !!!
Posted by php on October 26, 2007 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We are most saddened by this tragedy. Condolences to his family and friends from Hueneme People.
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