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Jan-05-2010 03:44printcommentsVideo

Somber Homecoming for NW Soldier Killed in Afghanistan (VIDEO)

Sgt. Elijah J Rao was killed by an improvised explosive device, or roadside bomb, in Afghanistan.

military funeral
Photos by Q Madp, IraqWarHeroes.com

(HILLSBORO, Ore.) - A somber and reverent group was on hand for the arrival of a local soldier December 12, 2009, who was killed fighting in Afghanistan. The family of Elijah J Rao who was a past resident of both Oregon and Washington, says he will be sorely missed.

We first reported on this loss the day after it happened, December 6 2009, after the family released word of Elijah's death. They said at the time it is the last knock a family ever wants to hear at their door.

"We were informed by the military today our older son, Specialist Elijah Rao, was killed by an IED earlier today in Afghanistan. His convoy was stopped at the site of an explosion."

The family was told that Elijah was killed by an IED that exploded moments after the soldier stepped out of a Humvee.

They said they will continue to cry and mourn the loss of this young American soldier, and they want people to know what a fine, honorable and beloved person Elijah was.

The Patriot Guard riders were on hand with local police and other veterans groups at the Hillsboro Airport to Welcome Home this fallen soldier.

Q Madp from IraqWarHeroes.org photographed the event and provided the images for the video presentation below. In fact Q Madp devotes his life to the recognition of those who are killed at war. He also keeps close tabs on many other veteran related issues.

Salem-News.com report on the death of U.S. Army Elijah J Rao: Roadside Bomb in Afghanistan Kills Vancouver, Washington Soldier

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Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines. Tim holds numerous awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), first place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website. You can send Tim an email at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com

Q Madp is a person who has dedicated his life to preserving the integrity of those who have died fighting for their nation overseas. This is a person who has wrapped his entire life around his efforts to preserve the legacies of people who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as during other conflicts. He doesn’t think their deaths should go unrecognized, and he is right.

Q is a photographer and he has his work cut out for him as the self-appointed unofficial photographer of NW military funerals. He travels to services and he is constantly on the move. When he isn’t driving or shooting pictures, Q spends his time researching combat statistics and adding names to the vast list that he hopes will eventually include every American lost in the combat theaters and every other allied soldier as well. His Website is easy to remember, IraqWarHeroes.org is a place of memories for thousands of families who have lost a loved one.




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S.LaMarche; January 5, 2010 9:26 pm (Pacific time)

Sgt Elijah J. Rao.,you are not forgotten.,I am sorry.

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