Romanian Sergeant Killed by IED in Afganistan.

[Kev in Deva]

Sergeant killed in Afghanistan buried with military honours

http://www.nineoclock.ro/index.php?page=de...d=20070910-7362

Sergeant major Aurel Marcu who was killed din Afghanistan on Thursday 6th September 2007 is the sixth Romanian military to lose his life in the theatres of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now there are 855 Romanian soldiers in Afghanistan, 760 of which with the NATO ISA

published in issue 4015 page 6 at 2007-09-10

Promoted post-mortem to the rank of sublieutenant, Aurel Marcu was buried yesterday in his home commune of Matasaru, in Dambovita County. The corpse of the sergeant was flown to Base 90 Air Transportation by a Hercules C-130 H aircraft on Saturday night.

In his message of condolence given on the occasion, PM Calin Popescu-Tariceanu expressed his deep regret over the loss of the Romanian soldier: ?This is a sad moment for Romania ? the loss of sublieutenant Aurel Marcu. A painful moment both for his family, for his mates and for us all. Aurel proved a lot of courage and commitment to Romania and to the Romanian Army and that is why we are all so very proud of him. He served his country as heroes do. I recall his sacrifice, his outstanding commitment shown during his mission and we are close to you, his family,? said Tariceanu, quoted by Rompres, during the repatriation ceremony.

The Premier sent his sincerest condolences and his compassion and solidarity to the wife of the victim. ?He is a hero of his family, a hero of Romania you all have a right to be proud of,? said the Head of the Executive.

A panel of priests officiated a military-religious service and the Order issued by Defence Minister Theodor Melescanu promoting Aurel Marcu to the rank of sublieutenant, post mortem, was presented. The President?s decree conferring upon Aurel Marcu the ?Star of Romania? National Order in degree of Cavalier, for soldiers with a war marks post-mortem. Wreaths were laid by at the catafalque on behalf of the Presidency, Government, defence Ministry and foreign military attaches in Bucharest.

On Thursday after-noon, the Romanians soldier was together with other military on an armoured transport vehicle ? the first in a row of three ? on a mission to the Afghan province of Zabul, 20 km North-East of Qalat, when they drove over an improvised explosive device. The Romanian sergeant major died and other four Romanians were seriously injured. His colleagues say that Marcu had sacrificed his life in Afghanistan for a better livelihood in Romania. He was married, he had a child and was saving money to buy a home for himself and his family.

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Kevin in Deva.