Services Friday for Staff Sgt. Russell Verdugo

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 31, 2005) - Military and memorial services will be conducted Friday for U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Russell Verdugo, who was killed last week in Iraq while warning others of the presence of an improvised explosive device. The device exploded, killing him instantly.

A committal service with full military honors will take place at 11 a.m. Friday at Arlington National Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at 1 p.m. at Community Covenant Church in Springfield, Virginia.

Chaplain Major Mike Gillett knew Verdugo while in Iraq. "His courage, his hard work, his willingness to help anyone at any time, and the sense of stability he imparted made possible every success the company has had and softened every blow we have suffered," Gillett said. "His bizarre sense of humor brightened the lives of us all. He will be sorely missed and impossible to replace."

A memorial ceremony was held for Verdugo last week in the chapel at Camp Victory in Baghdad – the chapel is located on the grounds of one of Saddam Hussein's former palaces.

Verdugo joined the Army in 1993 and had served in Afghanistan with the 767 Ordnance Company (explosive ordnance disposal). He had been home several months before being deployed to Iraq in early January. Verdugo and Kari Youngberg Verdugo were married last Thanksgiving weekend at Manistee Covenant Church in Manistee, Michigan. Kari graduated North Park University in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education.

The couple originally intended to marry around this time of year, but decided to have the wedding before he left for duty. He was scheduled to return in about a month. Kari's parents, Merton and Jeanne Youngberg, both graduated from NPU in 1964.

(Editor's note: To read an earlier account, please see Verdugo.

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