Marine Corporal Ramona M. Valdez Square: Slain Bronx Marine honored on 20th anniversary of her death
The National Anthem played as the community gathered to remember U.S. Marine Corporal Ramona M. Valdez, who was killed in the Iraq War on June 23, 2005, just three days before her 21st birthday.
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A Bronx Marine who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the country 20 years ago was honored Saturday at a street renaming ceremony in Fordham.
The National Anthem played as the community gathered to remember U.S. Marine Corporal Ramona M. Valdez, who was killed in the Iraq War on June 23, 2005, just three days before her 21st birthday.
Valdez, one of the first women to die in the Iraq war, enlisted just after the Sept. 11 attacks.
The tragic event motivated her to serve and protect the country.
At the time of enlistment, Valdez was only 17, and her mother, Elida Nunez, had to sign the papers.
"I couldn’t stay in the way of her dreams," Nunez said.
Although Nunez believed the military was dangerous, she didn’t want to stand between her daughter’s wants.
Valdez joined the military to support her family, who had immigrated from the Dominican Republic.
“She was my superhero,” Nunez said.
Family and friends gathered to honor Valdez at Marine Corporal Ramona M. Valdez Square, which is located in front of the building where she enlisted over 23 years ago.
