Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
May 22, 2002
Valiant Colorado son comes home
By Robert Barela
Geralyn Romero, mother of Sgt. 1st Class Dan Aaron Romero, always knew her son was someone special.
From an early age Aaron would say and do things so profound or unique that it would amaze and inspire pride in Geralyn and her husband Michael. He always wanted to be the best, Geralyn said.
He died a hero. Aaron was one of four Green Beret Special Forces soldiers killed last month in Afghanistan when Russian rockets he and three other soldiers were attempting to dismantle exploded.
Geralyn said that from the start Aaron filled her life with love, strength — and anxiety.
As a young boy he was a dedicated and responsible altar server at parishes St. Louis in Louisville and Immaculate Conception in Lafayette. No matter how early or how cold it was, Aaron was always prompt and reliable.
Preparation for first Communion and confirmation was an ongoing event in the family's busy schedule. When asked during his confirmation what sacrament or virtues he would take, Geralyn recalled Aaron answering, "All of them."
In high school Aaron participated in football and wrestling. His first loves, however, were track and cross-country. He also participated in drama, playing Bernardo in "West Side Story."
A lover of animals and the outdoors, his patron saint was St. Francis of Assisi.
After a seven-year courtship, Aaron married his sweetheart, Stephanie Wendorf.
When he joined the Colorado National Guard he wanted to be the best soldier in the Guard. During military training he accepted every challenge, every difficult task, every dangerous mission, and eventually became a Green Beret. As a Special Forces member, he undertook all training available to him, exuding confidence and faith in each new task. He attended jump school, sniper school, medic training and was an accomplished linguist.
The day before he was killed Aaron called his family and told them it was "raining mud." He reminded his sisters Stephanie and Gabrielle that he loved them. He told his family not to worry about him and asked for continued prayers for his comrades and himself. For the first time in awhile, Michael told his son, "I love you." They are the cherished last words he spoke to Aaron.
The next day, April 15, Aaron was sent to accompany three demolition specialists to a site near Qandahar. The Green Beret team needed a medic and Aaron fit the bill. Their mission: to retrieve and monitor enemy munitions, including Russian rockets abandoned in caves there and throughout the Qandahar region by al Qaeda forces.
There was an accidental explosion and they died.
On April 26 Aaron was honored at the State Capital by the House of Representatives, the State Senate and Gov. Bill Owens. Owens called Aaron "Colorado's son."
On May 7 Aaron's body was returned home. That day, at the Colorado National Guard Armory, Stephanie was presented with numerous medals awarded to her husband, including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. After a funeral Mass at St. Louis Church, he was buried with full military honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery May 10.
Faith in God and the support of others have provided the strength to endure the loss of her son, Geralyn said.
"When you are happy you share the happiness with others," she said, "and when times like this take place, you divide it with others."
We do share your loss, Romero family. We welcome you home with pride, Sgt. 1st Class Dan Aaron Romero. You are our valiant hero.
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