Army Sgt. Christopher C. Fernandez

Died March 5, 2007 Serving During Operation Enduring Freedom

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28, of Dededo, Guam; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment, Barrigada, Guam; died March 5 in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, of injuries sustained during a vehicle rollover. Also killed was Sgt. Gregory D. Fejeran.

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Families prepare for soldiers’ return

By Steve Limtiaco

Pacific Daily News

Two families spent yesterday preparing for rosaries, hours after learning that their loved ones had been killed in a vehicle accident while serving with the Guam Army National Guard in the Horn of Africa.

Spc. Gregory D. Fejeran and Spc. Christopher Fernandez, both 28, of the Guam Army National Guard, were killed in Ethiopia after their vehicle flipped over, and Sgt. Robert J. Balajadia, 37, was injured in the same accident and evacuated to Landstuhl military hospital in Germany.

Fejeran is from Mangilao and Fernandez is originally from Yona, as is Balajadia.

Their vehicle overturned while they were traveling with a U.S. Army team between Dire Dawa and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, according to the Guam Army National Guard. The accident was unrelated to hostile action, according to the Guard.

The three soldiers are part of the 150-soldier Team Charlie, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry, which deployed to the Horn of Africa in February 2006 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“I only found out this morning,” said Rhandy Munoz, 28, who has been friends with Fernandez since middle school.

Munoz left work yesterday to help Fernandez’s family prepare their yard for the nightly rosaries that will be held for Fernandez.

Fernandez was friendly and liked to joke around, Munoz said. “He likes to take care of everything that he cares for.”

While talking about his friend, Munoz remembered that he sent Fernandez an e-mail last week and he hasn’t checked to see if Fernandez replied.

Fernandez joined the guard in 2004, according to his family.

He has a daughter, Kaenani, 5, who lives in Hawaii with her mother. Munoz said Fernandez spent his last break from military service in Hawaii, visiting his daughter.

Christopher Fernandez’s father, Joseph Fernandez, said he last talked to Christopher a couple of months ago, but Christopher Fernandez recently sent letters and some coffee from Africa. “He told me he likes to be in the service,” his father said, as workers from the village mayor’s office set up a canopy outside his house.

Christopher Fernandez worked as a driver for Mr. Rubbishman before being deployed, his family said. Before that, he drove for MidPac and was a waiter and cook at the Outback Steakhouse. He graduated from Guam Community College adult high school in 2000.

Debra Fejeran, 29, said her husband, Greg, planned to take his family on vacation after returning from the Horn of Africa in a few months.

Debra Fejeran said her husband attended George Washington High School and graduated from Guam Community College in 1996.

He worked for the Guam Waterworks Authority as a wastewater operator, she said, and he joined the Guard in 2001.

Little is known about the accident, said Guam Army Guard spokesman Maj. John Guerrero, who said it could take a long time for an investigation to be completed.

Guerrero said there is no information about the types of injuries Balajadia sustained in the accident, but he said Balajadia was in stable condition at a military hospital in Germany.

Balajadia’s brother, Rick Balajadia, yesterday said the family had received no word about his brother’s condition.

Acting Gov. Mike Cruz yesterday ordered the U.S and Guam flags be flown at half-staff in honor of the two Guard members and until the final day of their burial. Cruz also ordered that the flags continue to be flown at half-staff for one week past their interment in honor of all Guam’s sons who have lost their lives in the War on Terror. He also declared a state of mourning for the island until the final day of their burial.