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Memorial pays tribute to missing soldier

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 20, 2009

PLANT CITY - Army Sgt. Samuel Valdez has been missing since he fell overboard in a Feb. 22 training exercise, but he will never be forgotten, friends, family members and fellow soldiers say.

Valdez, who is presumed dead, was remembered July 11 with full military honors, including a rifle salute, an honor guard and flag presentations.

A memorial service followed at the church the Valdez family attends.

The 2004 Plant City High graduate was lost overboard from an Army tugboat while on a training mission off the North Carolina coast.

"The military has been very supportive of me and my family during this very sad and stressful time for all of us," said his widow, Lynda Valdez, who is seven months pregnant.

The couple also have a 2-year-old son, "Little Sammy." Wednesday would have been their third anniversary.

At the church service, Army Sgt. Paul Valdez tearfully spoke of his younger brother.

"There is a lot I would like to say, but there is no way I could get through it. I will always be proud of my little brother."

George H. Newman

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