New York street named after Marine

New York street named after Marine
Submitted by: New York Public Affairs
Story Identification Number: 2004227155430
Story by Gunnery Sgt. John S. Jamison Jr. and Cpl. Beth Zimmerman

NEW YORK(February 27, 2004) -- In a solemn, yet celebrative ceremony on the upper west side of Manhattan, the community of Washington Heights dedicated a street in the name of a Marine who was not yet a citizen of the United States when he was shot and killed during a firefight northeast of Baghdad April 11, 2003.

Marine Staff Sgt. Riayan A. Tejeda, 26, was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, which deployed from Camp Pendleton, Calif. Tejeda, an eight-year veteran of the Corps, immigrated from the Dominican Republic as a child and grew up on 180th Street in the New York neighborhood.

Community members of all ages and nationalities gathered at the intersection of 180th St. and St. Nicholas Avenue, also known as Juan Pablo Duarte Boulevard, to remember a man they called, "an American hero."

"We're here today as a united community," said City Councilman Miguel Martinez. "We want to honor his memory...so that he will continue to be an example to young men and women in New York," Martinez said. "...So we all remember that no matter where you were born, there's an opportunity to serve this country."

U. S. Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) spoke on a bill that was introduced in July named after Tejeda. The bill proposes that anyone put in harm's way for this country would be granted citizenship.

Tejeda's Commanding Officer in Iraq, Major Michael Miller, painted a picture of Tejeda's service during Operation Iraqi Freedom. "April 11th is a day that will always stay in my memory," said Miller. He described for the Washington Heights' neighborhood the scene in the abandoned building in Iraq that Tejeda and his platoon stayed in.

"I walked in and found him making tea for his Marines," said Miller. "It's remarkable how much care he had for his Marines...and for his family and this neighborhood."

Miller also described the firefight the Marines encountered that same night. "A sergeant at the front of the ranks was shot," said Miller. "Despite the oncoming fire, (Tejeda) charged to his aid, and just as he reached the front he was struck."

Miller said that two Corpsman and two Marines tried to save Tejeda's life. "No one wanted to let their hero fall...he was a father figure to those Marines."

The southwest corner of 180th Street is now known as, "Staff Sergeant Riayan Agusto Tejeda Street." It is intersected by Juan Pablo Duarte Boulevard, which is named after the founder of the Dominican Republic. That one corner now simultaneously honors a Dominican and American Hero. For those who knew him, it's also a way Tejeda's still with them.

His commanding officer said what most of his friends and family were thinking. "That's (Tejeda's) smile shining down on us."

-30-

Photos included with story:

	Major Michael Miller, Tejeda’s Commanding Officer, described to the Washington Heights neighborhood the events that lead to Tejeda’s death. Tejeda was killed when he came to the aid of another Marine during a firefight in Baghdad April 11, 2003. Photo by: Cpl. Beth Zimmerman

	Washington Heights community members dedicated a street today in the name of a Marine who was shot and killed during a firefight northeast of Baghdad April 11, 2003. At the intersection of Nicholas Avenue and 180th Street, the southwest corner of 180th St. is now Staff Sergeant Riayan Agusto Tejeda Street. Tejeda is a Washington Heights native, and he originally immigrated from the Dominican Republic. Photo by: Cpl. Beth Zimmerman

	Emily Tejeda (left), along with her fourth grade classmates from PS 132 in Washington Heights, holds up an American flag at the street dedication for her deceased Uncle, Marine Staff Sgt. Riayan Tejeda. Photo by: Cpl. Beth Zimmerman

Marine Staff Sgt. Riayan A. Tejeda

Marine Staff Sgt. Riayan A. Tejeda, 26, of New York, N.Y.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Camp Pendleton, Calif.; killed April 11 during combat operations against enemy forces in northeast Baghdad.

Killed: April 11, 2003

Riayan Tejeda’s dream was to become a Marine and a U.S. citizen.

He joined the Marines immediately after graduating from George Washington High School in New York City. He was killed during a firefight in Baghdad.

Candles burned outside the Tejeda family’s door in New York City, where a photo of Riayan was posted along with the words “Our Hero.”

“He loved being in the Marines and fighting for this country." Julio Tejeda said his son loved his mother, salsa and merengue music.

“People all over the neighborhood knew him because he was always smiling. He was not just a son, but a friend.

“I will always love him until the end of time.”

He is survived by two daughters, ages 3 and 6, Gunnery Sgt. Luz Fontaine said.

Tejeda “pledged his loyalty and ultimately his life to his adopted nation,” New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said at his funeral. Although Tejeda had not yet become an American citizen, “we are proud he was a citizen of New York, including New York City’s Dominican community,” the mayor said.

— USA Today, Associated Press

http://www.militarycity.com/valor/honor2.html

~* Marine Staff Sgt. Riayan A. Tejeda ~ friends say goodbye *~

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.