A contingent of about 20 Rockford police officers traveled to Elgin to pay their respects to former officer Anibal Santiago.
Santiago, 37, an Army Ranger, died July 18 from injuries he suffered a day earlier in a high-altitude fall while conducting combat operations in Khost province, Afghanistan. He was on his third deployment at the time.
Santiago was a sniper team leader assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. He served in the Navy from 1991 to 1995 and was on the Rockford force from 1999 to 2005.
The officers who traveled to Harvest Bible Chapel were joined by about 30 Army Rangers and a military color guard.
Rockford officer Aurelio DeLaRosa, past president of the police union, said he helped train Santiago, but at times the teacher was learning from the pupil.
“He was a defender of freedom and the American way of life. As an U.S. Army soldier, he was ready to deploy and meet the enemy anywhere in the world. I was honored to have known and to serve alongside of him.”
DeLaRosa said serving others and his country was Santiago’s calling.
“Being the true patriot that he was, he felt it was a moral imperative that he serve his country. Not only was he just a soldier, but an elite soldier.
“If anybody has any doubt today, this funeral was a validation of the character of this man.”
Santiago is survived by his wife, Mandy; son, Hannibal Felix Santiago of Belvidere; stepsons Desmond and Darian Thammarath of Fort Benning, Ga.; and parents, Anibal and Maria Santiago of Belvidere.
Later in the day, the family attended a private ceremony. A private graveside service is planned today in Highland Garden of Memories in Belvidere.
Memorial and funeral schedule for U.S. Army Ranger Sgt. Anibal Santiago in Elgin, IL (update) July 23, 2010 17:13:11
Memorial Services will be held starting this weekend when Sgt. Santiago’s body will fly into Chicago O'Hare Saturday July 24 to be escorted to Laird Funeral Home in Elgin.
Visitation:
Monday Jul 26 from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm and
Tuesday, July 27 from 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Harvest Bible Chapel
1000 North Randall Road
Elgin, IL 60123-7895
(847) 214-3500,
Military Honors Committal Services:
Wednesday July 28 at 10:00am
Harvest Bible Chapel
1000 North Randall Road
Elgin, IL 60123-7895
(847) 214-3500,
Private Graveside Service:
Thursday, July 29
Highland Garden of Memories
9800 Route 76
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 544-2750
For information:
Laird Funeral Home
310 S. State Street
Elgin, IL 60123
(847) 741-8800
Santiago is survived by his wife, Mandy Santiago of Fort Benning, GA, son Hannibal of Belvidere, IL., stepsons Desmond and Darian, from Fort Benning, and his parents Anibal and Maria Santiago of Belvidere.
Original Post:
U.S. Army Ranger Sgt. Anibal Santiago dies as a result of injuries sustained during combat
Sgt. Anibal Santiago, 37 of Belvidere, Ill., died from injuries sustained as a result of a high-altitude fall July 17 while conducting combat operations over mountainous terrain in Khowst Province, Afghanistan. Treated immediately by unit medical personnel, he was quickly evacuated to the nearest medical treatment facility where he died July 18.
Santiago was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment based at Fort Benning, Ga. He was serving his third deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism, having previously deployed once to Afghanistan and once to Iraq.
“I wish the American public had an opportunity to know Sgt. Santiago. He embodied the Ranger Ethos – an American Patriot, incredibly lethal sniper, and was always at his best when conditions were the worst,” said Col. Michael E. Kurilla, commander, 75th Ranger Regiment. “He is a hero to our Nation, the 75th Ranger Regiment, and his Family.”
“Sgt. Santiago was a rock of a man that everyone – his fellow Rangers and his Family – relied on in the toughest of times," said Col. Dan Walrath, commander, 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment. " He was an incredible servant to the Nation as a policeman, Navy Sailor and Army Ranger. We are eternally grateful for what he gave us all in life.”
Sgt. Anibal Santiago was born August 26th, 1972 in Puerto Rico. Prior to his military service he served as a policeman in Chicago, Ill., for numerous years and also graduated from Elgin Community College with a Liberal Arts degree. Santiago then entered the U. S. Navy on Oct. 1, 2001.
Following his service in the Navy, Santiago entered the U. S. Army on Oct. 1, 2007 and after completion of the One Station Unit Training and the Ranger Indoctrination Program, he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment on Sept. 30, 2008. He served as a sniper and as a sniper team leader.
Santiago completed numerous military courses while serving in the Army, including the Combat Life Savers Course, Combatives Level One, the Sniper Course, the Airborne Course, the Ranger Indoctrination Program, and the U.S. Army Ranger Course.
His awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Parachutist Badge. He has also been awarded the Navy Unit Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Navy Good Conduct Medal, The Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, The South West Asia Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, and the Army Service Ribbon.
He was posthumously recommended for the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Santiago is survived by his wife, Mandy of Fort Benning Ga., his son, Hannibal Felix of Belvidere, Ill.; and his parents, Anibal and Maria Santiago of Belvidere, Ill.
As a Ranger, Santiago selflessly lived his life for others while he distinguished himself as a member of the Army’s premier light-infantry unit, which remains continuously deployed in support of the Global War on Terrorism. In every instance he fought valiantly as he served his fellow Rangers and our great Nation.
Belvidere soldier's young son remembers dad as "my hero"