I had the honor of being Del's platoon leader for 8 months up until deployment. Many of the young Soldiers, myself included, owe their sanity during the train-up and safety during deployment to him. He was a brilliant teacher and natural role model and leader. The De la Pena's have my ever-lasting gratitude for raising this man. He was a god-send when others needed him most. I was asked to speak at his memorial in-country and could not do it at the time. I apologize to his family that it took me a year to do this...
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