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Riayan A. Tejeda Obituary

Candles burned outside the Tejeda family''s door in New York City, where a photo of their son, Riayan, was posted along with the words "Our Hero." Marine Staff Sgt. Riayan Tejeda, 26, was killed April 11 in combat. "They don''t tell me exactly what happened," his father, Julio Tejeda, said. "They only come to my house and say they have bad news for me: My son has been killed in the fighting in Iraq." Julio Tejeda said his son was a fan of Latin music and always told his mother that he loved her. He was based at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and is survived by two daughters, ages 3 and 6, Gunnery Sgt. Luz Fontaine said. Tejeda, a Dominican citizen, "pledged his loyalty and ultimately his life to his adopted nation," New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said at his funeral. The mayor said that 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."

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Times-Picayune on Jan. 28, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Riayan A. Tejeda

Not sure what to say?





Charlie Gili

April 1, 2013

Hello,
We would like to express our deepest condolences and also let the Tejeda Family know that we recently sent Care Packages to American troops in the war zones. Each box carried a dedication sheet that includes the name, service information and a photo of your loved one. We recognize that this is a humble tribute, but we wanted you to know that it is heartfelt and made possible by thousands of like-minded individuals in the youth hockey community and beyond. We will not forget. May God Bless you and keep you strong.
Sincerely,
Charlie Gili & Family
On Behalf of the US Hockey Players Support Our Troops Campaign

February 21, 2013

hey gino i miss u man i never been the same since u pass them man why u had to go and died man mom miss u so much we all do cant wait to see loriana and miranda this summer

Ruben Maldonado

May 25, 2012

Gino on this and every Memorial weekend I always remember and celebrate your life and friendship we had. I am thankful for the oppurtunity to call myself your friend. Till we meet again, RIP and Semper Fi Brother! (K Co 3/5) To his family, you are always welcome to my home like family.

G

May 29, 2011

Gino will always b remembered. Even though he's gone I kno he's always watchn. Can never 4get his laugh. Miss u always..

Ginger Mankowski

April 12, 2011

To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Riayan A. Tejeda:
Please accept our remembrance of Riayan on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.
Ginger Mankowski/Peggy Childers
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Richard C

April 11, 2011

My name is Richard, a lifelong resident of The Heights (aka - Washington Heights), here in New York City. On October 30, 2011, I will be running the Marine Corps Marathon in honor and memory of SSgt Tejada. He is a role model in our neighborhood, and will always be a hero in my heart!
SEMPER FIDELIS!

Peggy Childers

April 11, 2010

To the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Riayan A. Tejeda:
Remembering Riayan on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Kenna

March 27, 2010

”Honor and Remember” - “Project Compassion” We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families of our fallen heroes. War does not discriminate – It breaks our hearts to see the faces of the fallen. We want to give this gift to the hero’s Mother, Father and/or spouse. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization! Almost 2,100 portraits have been completed and shipped to the parents and or spouse - at no cost as this is a gift from one American to another!
This is a gift! We have wonderful sponsors who help with the costs, and want you know that everyone here at Project Compassion does and will always CARE.
Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com . If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Kenna
[email protected]

Peggy Childers

April 12, 2009

To the family of Staff Sgt. Riayan A. Tejeda:
Riayan gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

charlie gili

February 16, 2009

Hello,
My name is Charlie Gili and my family and I sponsor a campaign that benefits NYS families who have suffered the loss of a sevicemember since 911. We have a gift for the Sergeants children. We offer our humble gift in his honor. Please contact us. God bless you.
Sincerely,
Charlie Gili & Family (Brooklyn, NY)
On Behalf of NYS Hockey Players Support Our Troops!

R Collis

July 16, 2008

It is difficult to know what to say since I want to express my sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Staff Sgt Tejeda. Please know that your loved one is not forgotten. I wish everyone impacted by this tragic loss strength and peace. I hope that Staff Sgt Tejeda knew that there are people in America who respect his great courage in serving as a member of the US military. Although I did not know him, I know that he must have been a very special person to be willing to do something that most Americans will never have to experience, and for that we can never say thank you enough.
Thank you Staff Sgt Tejeda!

The Neal family

April 20, 2008

To the Tejeda family,
Please know that just as your loved one will forever remain in your hearts and minds, his sacrifice and that of your family, will remain with the people he died defending. Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for his bravery and selflessness, or the heartache we feel for your loss. God grant you the peace that passes all understanding.

April 11, 2008

Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers today.


The Wind on The Downs

“I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead
You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe;
I hear you laughing as you used to do,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go.”

(Written by Marian Allen during World War l )

Two lines that I wish you to keep near your heart…….

“You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe”

Please contact me and I will email you back a copy of the
Angel drawing I have posted here.

I did not know Riayan, but I am remembering on
this day he gave his all.
He is my hero.

xo xo
Deb
Proud Air Force Mom and MIL
Remembering The Fallen – Blog
http://tinyurl.com/3z8p55
The Other Side
http://tinyurl.com/3o8gol

November 14, 2007

You are remembered and respected. Thank you Staff Sgt Tejeda!

October 18, 2007

Hello:
You do not know me but I left a tribute for your family member at an earlier date. The reason for my note is to let you know of a group of people who are willing to do portraits of fallen soldiers in wood free of charge. If your family is interested you can visit their website at [email protected].
com. I became aware of this site when I tried to do something special for my son's best friend's mother (my son's best friend was KIA 7/6/07, he was 18). Some of you may have already had this done but for those who did not and would like to, please contact them they are wonderful people.

God bless you and I am so sorry for your loss. Your HERO will never be forgotten.

Althea Barrett, Proud mother of a Soldier - currently stationed in Germany.

Esther Kabalkin

September 23, 2007

To the family and friends,
I would like to extend my deepest sympathies. Losing a loved on is the hardest thing in life. I am writing to not only express my sorrow for you but to let you know about a memorial I am working on. I am creating a quilt to honor the fallen soldiers from the New York City Area. Each soldier will have a panel created. I am inviting the friends and families to get involved. If you are interested or would like some more information please contact me at [email protected]

August 3, 2007

If this person can stand in battle to ensure my freedom, then I will stand in grief with his/her family to honor him/her. For every fallen HERO there is a bright star that shines in the evening sky to remind us of the cherished gift we were given – even if for too short a time.
My heart breaks again as I sign yet another guest book of another courageous young soldier who gave their life so selflessly. I wish I never found myself in a position to have to sign another guest book for the rest of my life, but I promised LE RON A. WILSON (a dear friend KIA 7/6/07, 18yrs old) that neither he nor any like him would be forgotten and so I will continue until the day there is no longer the need.

PROUD MOTHER OF A U.S. SOLDIER
Althea Barrett(Queens, NY)

July 5, 2007

Thank you for the sacrifice made by Staff Sgt Tejeda and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him! May God bless all of you!!

ROBERT PEARMAN

May 30, 2007

GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN, REST IN PEACE, SEMPER FI.

MARIBEL LEGER

May 21, 2007

QUE DIOS BENDIGA TU FAMILIA ME GUSTO EL RETRATO DE EL AUNQUE YO SOY BORICUA PERO HE CALGADO LAS DOS BANDERAS YA QUE MI ESPOSO ES DOMINICANO ESTAMOS ORGULLOSO DECIR QUE ESTUVO ALLI PARA TODOS PERO AHORA ESTA EN UN MEJOR LUGAR LO RECORDAREMOS SIEMPRE. QUE DIOS LOS BENDIGA.

Gary

May 3, 2007

A true American hero.God bless Riayan and his family.

Garnet Jenkins

April 10, 2007

It is an honor to pay tribute to this Brave Young Marine, with a Multitude of Thanks to Staff Sgt. Riayan A. Tejeda and his family, for his Courage, Dedication and Service to our Country and for Freedom.

May Riayan Rest Safely, in God's Loving Care and may the Peace of God continue to be with the Tejeda family.
Those who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice, So Many and So Young, shall Never Be Forgotten, my brother among them. Killed in action in Vietnam 1967.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills-
from whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth."
~ Psalm 121:1-2 ~

I am sincerely hoping that you continue to feel the thoughts of caring and support that surround you each day, as this Country Remembers Someone Very Precious to you, who is a Hero to all of us.
I am So Deeply Sorry for your loss.

January 2, 2007

In gratitude to Sgt Tejeda's family - may he rest in peace.
Never to be forgotten.

Armando Delgado

November 1, 2006

I'd like to start by expressing my deepest condolences. I served with SSgt. "T". We were good friends and even if it has been over three years since he died, i still feel heartbroken during these upcoming days. I'll miss you on the Marine Corps Birthday (Nov. 10) and Veterans day (Nov 11). God bless him and his family.

Tom Gugliuzza-Smith

October 16, 2006

My heartfelt sympathy to the Tejeda family in the loss of Riayan. I did not know Riayan, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine young person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. Riayan it has been over 3 years since you were taken please know that you are my hero and you will NEVER be forgotten.
I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.
Love and Peace
Tom

To live in the hearts
of those you leave behind
is never to die"
~Robert Orr~

Kara Willis

March 8, 2005

I didn't really know Staff Sgt. Riayan A. Tejeda, but his daughters, Loriana and Miranda, are both of my cousins on their mother's side. She is my cousin so the girls are my 2nd cousins. I just wanted to say to the family, my condolenscens, even if itis 2 years later since he has passed on, I know that it is still hard. Thank you for bringing such a courageous and brave man into the world to fight for our country.

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