A soldier from Roxbury who got his first taste of the military in the ROTC
program at Madison Park High School was killed in Iraq on Monday, leaving
behind a wife and two children, according to family members.
"He loved the Army and serving for America," said Maria Montrand, mother
of Sgt. Alberto Montrand Jr., 27.
The circumstances surrounding Montrand's death remained unknown to
relatives yesterday, said the dead soldier's cousin, whose name also is
Alberto Montrand.
The soldier was stationed in Fort Jackson, S.C., and had recently
returned from Iraq to spend time with his family.
Montrand emigrated from Cape Verde to Boston in 1996.
His father had recently sat down with him to discuss his future. The son
expressed a great desire to stay in the Army, said father Alberto Montrand
Sr.
His cousin added, "(He) had finished his first term but he re-enlisted
because he felt he had a duty to serve the country."
Montrand had re-enlisted for a third time last December after being
deployed in Kosovo and Afganistan.
In Iraq, he worked as a mechanic. His mother expressed shock, saying she
thought he would be away from the fighting in that job.
Last night, dozens of relatives and friends offered their condolences to
the family at a home in Brockton. Many of those present said Montrand is a
hero not only in the Cape Verdean community but also for the country.
The soldier will be buried in North Carolina. His parents plan to fly
there for his funeral.