Army Pfc. Farid Elazzouzi

Died June 14, 2007 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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26 of Paterson, N.J.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Infantry Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; died June 14 in Kirkuk, Iraq, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Also killed were Sgt. Derek T. Roberts and Spc. Val J. Borm.

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Slain Moroccan soldier entered Army to support family

The Associated Press

Army Spc. Farid Elazzouzi Born and raised in Morocco, Farid Elazzouzi idolized fast cars and the material comforts of life in the U.S.

He managed to win a green card from an annual lottery in Morocco and decided to leave behind his mother and older siblings. He arrived in New Jersey and got a 14-hour-a-day menial job.

One of his friends helped him open a bank account, where he managed to sock away a few thousand dollars. Several acquaintances told him to apply to Passaic County Community College. One of his first questions was about finding a gym.

Tall and well-built, Elazzouzi eventually decided to capitalize on his brawn. When a Moroccan veteran told him about the Army, Elazzouzi enlisted in 2005.

“His poor family,” said Abdalilah Louhab, an acquaintance.

“He was just trying to support them.”

Elazzouzi, 26, of Paterson, N.J., was killed by a roadside blast June 14 in Kirkuk, Iraq. He was assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

“Even if he wasn’t from my country, it’s sad what happened to him,” said Khoed Mahmmoud, who also left Morocco for Paterson two years ago.

He is survived by his mother.