Sergeant Robert Daniel Sanchez of Satellite Beach, Florida graduated from Satellite Senior High School and enlisted in the United States Army in July of 2004. He began his Army Ranger career when he was assigned to B Company, 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment where he served as an automatic rifleman and team leader. He was currently serving his fifth deployment in support of the War on Terror with three previous deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. His military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Indoctrination Program, US Army Ranger Course, Emergency Medic Technician Basic Course and Jumpmaster Course. His awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Parachutist Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon. Robert is survived by his parents 1SG Will and Wendy Holland and brothers Jacob Goldberg and Logan Holland and Maternal Grandparents, James and Mary Wilson. Robert was killed at age 24 in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan during a combat operation involving multiple enemy contacts, killing nine enemy combatants and destroying a large weapons cache.

Rest in Peace – ROBERT SANCHEZ… From the whole FAMILY… We can’t breathe the same without you…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2ywUZdixEA – Jamie Raleigh

Dedication of the video below is from Robert’s cousins, Nicole Prince:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjGAOPMSwag

The following was written for Robert’s mother…
Thank you Julie Cirrincione

For I can not find the words to say
to help you with the loss that has happened today
I am not worthy to express my hurt
for I have not been there to feel you’re pain
but you must know his death was not in vain
he was you’re baby and now he is gone
and even without him you must carry on
you can still see his face everywhere you look
his smile his wisdom his truth his faith
to fight the fight
to finish the war
for his life was not lost
for nothing more
he is a hero and always will be
you’re son you’re baby with God always be

My son has gone to a better place
That’s what I tell myself

No fear, no pain, no need to cry
No living in this hell

He is a Ranger, can’t you see
He had to be the best

He gave it all he gave his life
And passed his final test

Don’t cry for me I know he’d say
I made the choice I chose to stay

My brothers here are with me still
Leave no man behind, we never will

With Soldiers still I make my stand
We wait together hand in hand

For God I’ll serve as a soldier still
He needs Rangers too to do his will

I’ll see you all one day it’s true
We’ll laugh and joke like we use too

Until then do your best each day
You know that is the Ranger way

Love you Rob! Dad

I have only slipped away into the next room.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used Laugh as we always laughed together
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be the household word it always was
Let it be spoken without effort
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolutely unbroken continuity
Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight
I am but waiting for you, for an interval
Somewhere very near just around the corner
All is well, nothing is past, nothing is lost
One brief moment and all will be as it was before — only better Infinitely happier and forever
We will all be one together with God.

Army Sgt. Robert Sanchez left a legacy of leadership, loyalty and living “his life for others.”

Those were the recurring themes Friday as friends and family members eulogized Sanchez and paid their final respects at a memorial service at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Satellite Beach.

A graveside service with full military honors followed at Florida Memorial Gardens in Rockledge.

Sanchez, 24, of Satellite Beach was killed Oct.1 in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, when his unit was attacked with a roadside bomb. Six other soldiers were injured.

Fellow Army Ranger and friend Sgt. Ed Ward, who delivered a eulogy, said he wanted people to know that family and friends appreciated the outpouring of community support he had seen.

“It was one of the most difficult tasks of my life, but it was an honor,” he said of the eulogy as he stood before others packed inside Trinity Presbyterian and stood in the foyer for the memorial service for Sanchez.

Ward, who also accompanied Sanchez’s body back to Satellite Beach, said he and Sanchez became friends after they served together for much of their careers.

“He had an uncanny ability to leave an impression on everyone he met,” he said.

Sanchez’s brother, Jacob Goldberg, drew laughs with his eulogy, joking about being tormented by his brother for beating him at video games. Others chuckled when hearing how Sanchez would walk on his hands with his bent over legs dangling.

Cousin Zack Monninger said Sanchez was prepared for a military career since he was a child. He achieved that goal and became an Army Ranger.

“We will always remember him as the life of the party,” Monninger said. “He put family and friends above all.”

Army Maj. Gen. Joseph Votel said Sanchez was obviously up to the challenge of being an Army Ranger, an elite special operations unit.

Sanchez joined the Army in July 2004 right after graduating from Satellite High. He earned several medals and became a leader in his unit.

“He was truly the heart of the platoon,” Votel

“Where do we find men like Robert Sanchez?” he asked. “Right here in front of me, they come from communities like these throughout the country.”

Airmen and other service members from Patrick Air Force Base lined up near the base’ south gate as the funeral procession went by from the church service to the burial site at Florida Memorial Gardens in Rockledge.

At a section of the cemetery, an American Flag and a Ranger flag flew at half-staff. Small American flags planted in the ground marked the short path the Ranger pallbearers took to the gravesite.

A 21-gun volley echoed and taps pierced the silence, before the Army honor guard meticulously folded the American flag. One was presented to Sanchez’s mother, Wendy Holland, and another to his grandmother, Mary Wilson.

Army Chaplain Maj. Dave Bowlus encouraged everyone to help family and friends cope with the loss. He said Sanchez will be remembered for his selfless dedication.

Sanchez was on his fifth deployment. He served three in Iraq and was on his second in Afghanistan when he was killed.

“He died doing exactly what he felt he needed to do,” Bowlus said.

Contact Moody at nmoody@floridatoday.com.