Services set for soldier
killed in Afghanistan

The helicopter crew chief is
remembered for his love of aviation

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"The Night Hawks" of Bravo Company will hold a memorial service tomorrow in Afghanistan for Sgt. Daniel Lee Galvan -- a helicopter crew chief killed in a UH-60 Black Hawk crash Thursday -- and who his comrades called "a great soldier" and "a friend to many."

A similar private prayer service will be held at Schofield Barracks main chapel as early as Tuesday. Burial is expected to be in Lubbock, Texas, the home town of his wife, Sonya. The couple were married for five years and have two children: Audrey, 13, and Joseph, 11.

Galvan, 30, was the only soldier to die when the Black Hawk carrying 11 Marines and four crew members crashed in the Afghan province of Khowst north of Kabul near the Pakistani border.

Above all, his widow said, Galvan, the ninth 25th Infantry Division to be killed in the Middle East, loved to fly.

Sonya Galvan, in a written statement, said she talked with Daniel's father, Ernest, a retired Army master sergeant, Friday night. He said that as a child, "Daniel would draw pictures of helicopters and play with little helicopters, because that is what rushed through his veins. He more than loved helicopters, and there are not many people in their lifetimes who can say that they accomplished what they loved and that they fulfilled their dreams. Daniel's family can stand tall and say that Daniel did; he lived his dream.

"Daniel ate, drank, and thought everything aviation -- down to the colors on his Christmas tree. Daniel wanted aviation colors, blue and silver."

Spc. Paul Ramirez, a member of Galvan's squad, said weekends were devoted to riding his "cruiser," a 750 cc Honda Shadow bike.

Sonya Galvan added: "He loved to ride his motorcycle with a local group. His favorite day was Sundays just cruising the island. He was extremely adventurous."

Ramirez, who has known Galvan for 15 months, said he "loved to sit around and joke with the guys." Sonya Galvan said there was never a dull moment in her household.

"He loved life, loved his family, loved to make people laugh -- he was a joker," she added. "He was compassionate -- we would have 100 animals here if was up to him. There was so much about him that my words cannot even begin to express.

"He loved to play fun practical jokes with his daughter and son and even me at times. That was one thing that kept this family very close."

In her written statement, she added: "Daniel's commitment to the military came from a deep-within desire to serve his country and honor the uniform with all it represents. Daniel truly believed in the cause for Operation Enduring Freedom and would have deployed earlier if given the chance."

She said that her husband "didn't join the military for a paycheck. He joined because he believed in the cause. He believed in the military. And he was proud to wear the uniform and honored to be an American soldier."

"I can say from the depth of my soul that Daniel was able to fulfill his dream and fly... now he flies for my family and myself as our guardian angel, my angel."

Galvan left Schofield Barracks April 14 as a member of 2nd Battalion (Assault), 25th Aviation Regiment. He was killed two days after his 30th birthday. He had been in the Army for eight years.

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