A RI Soldier’s Life: Death in Afghanistan
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Joshua Boccanfuso, a RI soldier stationed in Afghanistan, has shared a series of images and stories with GoLocalProv. Here is the first. See the war through his eyes and read what he has to tell.
This is my most important picture.
This was my friend, who died in the first fire-fight we were in together, earlier in the summer. You should have known him; he was hilarious and the best forward observer the Army had. I used to carry a radio and he was a fire support specialist (told the mortars where to shoot), so when I carried the radio, we walked next to each other and got pretty close.
We were on a mountain and took fire. He was 50 feet away. I watched him go from talking, to just being hurt, to dying and turning a yellowish color. It's like an image that plays in my head all the time.
The memorial was a real eye-opening time. I realized this place is no joke. Everyone was really upset. So many people liked this guy, that (the officers) made everyone wear sunglasses to hide the tears.
I was really upset. Not only did he pass on Mother's Day, but five days before his 21st birthday. On Mother's Day. Imagine getting a car with a couple of officers and a chaplain to tell you that your son died.
Joshua Boccanfuso grew up in Warwick and Cranston, went to Cranston West HS and the culinary program at the Cranston Area Career and Technical Center. He enrolled in the Army in October of 2008. He is currently stationed at combat outpost Zerok in Afghanistan, and endures regular mortar attacks. In special correspondence with GoLocalProv's Tracey Minkin, he shares his images and experiences with GoLocalProv readers. His second photo will appear tomorrow.
