Devoted Soldier Laid to Rest

An American hero went home Thursday.

Spc. Michael Anthony DiRaimondo, an Army medic, was among nine U.S. soldiers killed last week when their Blackhawk helicopter was shot down in Iraq. He was laid to rest at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church, across the street from Simi Valley High School where he graduated in 1999.

DiRaimondo, 22, was assigned to an air ambulance company based in Fort Carson, Colo. On Thursday he was remembered as a kind, fun-loving man who wanted to dedicate himself to a life of service.

Nearly 1,000 people -- buddies from school, family friends, fellow military members and others in uniform, including local police, firefighters and paramedic crews -- filled the sanctuary to hear of a life ended too soon.

“Michael was one soldier, but the impact he had was immense,” said Msgr. Gary Bauler. “Look at all of you gathered here today; 22 is too young to die.”

Bauler told of how DiRaimondo called his parents during the Christmas holidays to tell them he would be home within weeks and not to send anymore packages with his favorite foods.

“Michael, you told your parents you’d be home soon,” Bauler said, “and you were right. You are home -- your heavenly home, where there are no more tears, no more suffering.”

As he paid tribute to his son, Tony DiRaimondo said the service was a celebration of a life well-lived.

“Michael was not about sadness, he was about fun. He was about helping people,” he said. “Michael would not want us to be sad that he was taken away so young, but to celebrate the good times.”

He recounted several stories from his son’s life: their first father-son camping trip, and a later camping excursion that got snowed in and turned into a snowboarding weekend at Mammoth Mountain. He also discussed an incident that would be a turning point in the young man’s life.

During a visit to Mountain High in early 2001, while DiRaimondo was taking first aid classes, he saw a skier fall and injure himself after taking a slope too fast. While his friends went for help, DiRaimondo stayed to assist the victim.

When the paramedics arrived, they said, “Please don’t leave ... you could help us with this patient,” according to his father. “The purpose of his life began to take shape that day.”

Indeed, his last assignment was as an Army flight medic, whose job is to fly into the battlefield to retrieve the injured. His team was among those who responded to a crashed Chinook helicopter last November, and DiRaimondo proudly told his father later that he helped save the lives of 10 men.

Before Thursday’s service, Army Sgt. Ted Snyder recalled meeting DiRaimondo two years ago when both were stationed at Ft. Irwin near Barstow and how they shared a special bond. Snyder was already an established flight medic but DiRaimondo, still new to the service, was training as a ground-based medic.

“I just saw him reading a surfer magazine one day, and I surf as well. So we started talking,” said Snyder, a Florida native. “He was just a real easy guy to get along with.”

Snyder said DiRaimondo often spoke of wanting to be a flight medic. “He really wanted to fly, do something that he felt was important,” said Snyder, who shipped out for Iraq last March, followed by DiRaimondo a few weeks later.

In Iraq, Snyder worked by air and DiRaimondo on the ground. Sometimes they would jog together on the giant Al Asad Air Base outside Baghdad, work out in the gym or share lifeguard duties at the base’s indoor swimming pool.

In late July, Snyder gave his buddy a hug, made plans to meet him in California for surfing and then boarded a helicopter that would take him to an airplane for his trip home -- all part of a routine rotation.

Shortly after Snyder left, DiRaimondo finally got the post he wanted. He was assigned to Snyder’s seat as a flight medic on the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter.

On Jan. 8, while flying a medical evacuation mission near Fallouja, DiRaimondo’s helicopter was struck by a rocket. The chopper fell 150 feet, the impact of the crash killing all on board.

“I’ve beaten myself up about it because I was the one who talked to the bosses and pitched the idea because he was so determined and focused and a great medic,” Snyder said. “But I’ve since talked to his parents and they said that the last four months were the best of his life in the military and that he felt as if he had found his calling.”

Maj. D. Brent Jones, the two soldiers’ battalion chaplain, spoke briefly during the graveside ceremony at Assumption Cemetery, commending the family for DiRaimondo’s willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice.

“We thank you for giving us such a wonderful son, a wonderful brother, soldier and man,” Jones said moments before seven soldiers gave DiRaimondo a traditional 21-gun salute. Then, two other soldiers blew taps as the U.S. flag draped over DiRaimondo’s casket was ceremonially removed and folded.

A military official read a series of proclamations, posthumously promoting DiRaimondo to the rank of sergeant and awarding him three medals, including the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.

The medals and flag were presented to Tony DiRaimondo and his wife, Carol, a teacher at Abraham Lincoln Elementary in Simi Valley.

Tony DiRaimondo said his family planned to establish a Michael A. DiRaimondo Foundation, with all proceeds going to establish a scholarship for people who want to become paramedics but don’t have the financial means. So far, more than $5,000 in donations has been raised.