Fort Sill soldier laid to rest on Veteran's Day

(Lawton-AP) -- An Army sergeant who died along with 15 others when their helicopter was shot down in Iraq was remembered in funeral services Tuesday as a lover of freedom. <br><br>Staff Sergeant Paul ``Tony''

Wednesday, November 12th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Lawton-AP) -- An Army sergeant who died along with 15 others when their helicopter was shot down in Iraq was remembered in funeral services Tuesday as a lover of freedom.

Staff Sergeant Paul ``Tony'' Velazquez was one of six soldiers from Fort Sill who died when their CH-47 Chinook went down near Fallujah, Iraq, on November 2nd.

Retired first sergeant Daniel Capri says he was honored to serve alongside Velazquez.

Capri says Velazquez lived and breathed freedom and he died for it.

Velazquez leaves behind a wife and three young children.

He was born in Paris, Tennessee, and grew up in San Diego.

He was returning to his home near Fort Sill to see a baby born in June.