Marine Pfc. Christopher Ramos

Died April 5, 2004 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

26, of Albuquerque, N.M.; assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; killed April 5 by hostile fire in Anbar province, Iraq.

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Albuquerque Marine killed in Iraq laid to rest

Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE — With a 21-gun salute under clear skies, Albuquerque native and Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher Ramos was buried Friday.

Ramos, a 1995 West Mesa High School graduate, was on his second tour in Iraq when he was killed April 5 in the al-Anbar province west of Baghdad. He was a member of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

The 26-year-old father was remembered as a man faithful to God, his country and his family.

“He was a good guy, a good father,” said longtime friend Robert Lovato, who was the best man at Ramos’ wedding in 2002. “He provided well for his family.”

The Rev. John Conway said Ramos and many others have died as heroes.

“In peace, let us bring our brother home to his gentle rest,” Conway said, after a Mass attended by about 300 people who occupied every pew of the St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church.

A Marine color guard draped an American flag over Ramos’ casket.

Ramos’ older brother Adrian, an Albuquerque firefighter, coordinated a funeral procession that included a long line of motorcycles, police cars and fire trucks. Ramos was buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Ramos, who had dreams of becoming an Albuquerque police officer, is among nearly 90 U.S. troops killed in Iraq this month.

Ramos is survived by his wife, 27-year-old Dianna Ramos; his 18-month-old daughter, Malaya; and a stepson, Gabriel Booth.

Al Ramos, Christopher’s father, said his son was proud of his service in the Marines.

Ramos was the second New Mexican killed in Iraq. Army Specialist James “Heath” Pirtle of La Mesa was killed in October when his vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. Pirtle was a 1994 graduate of Carlsbad High School.

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Services set for Albuquerque Marine killed in Iraq

ALBUQUERQUE — Services for Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher Ramos, an Albuquerque native killed in Iraq, were scheduled for this week.

Ramos, 26, was on his second tour in Iraq when he was killed April 5 in the al-Anbar province west of Baghdad. He was a member of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.

A rosary was to be recited Thursday evening at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church in Albuquerque. Mass was set for Friday morning, with burial to follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Ramos grew up in Albuquerque and graduated from West Mesa High School in 1995. He spoke of returning to Albuquerque to become a police officer after his time in the Marines.

Ramos leaves behind his wife, 27-year-old Dianna Ramos; his 18-month-old daughter, Malaya; and a stepson, Gabriel Booth.

— Associated Press