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Fortuna soldier recently deployed to Iraq

Oct- 7-2004 » Filed Under: 1/25 SBCT

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By Meghan Vogel The Times-Standard

FORTUNA -- Since he was 5 years old, Spc. Donald Arminio's father has had a nickname for his son -- "K.G.B.," or "kind, good and brave."

"He's a very good, kind person," said John Arminio. "He's always talked about going into the Army. He'll be making sergeant someday soon."

Arminio was stationed in Germany during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

"He called us up, and it was kind of tough," John said. "He was ready to go he was so angry."

After three years with the Army, Arminio decided to re-enlist for three more years. John said his son's decision came as somewhat of a shock.

"He's the only child and only son we have," he said. "But he said that if he left he would just get called back and stuck in the reserves, and he wanted to be with the Army."

Arminio trained for a year at Fort Lewis, Wash., with the 25th Infantry Division's 1st Striker Brigade. Last week, Arminio was deployed to Iraq, where his unit will be taking over for the 2nd Striker Brigade and stationed in Mosul.

John said he was impressed with the military's communication tools set up for the troops. Already his son has e-mailed him with photos.

"He says it's just really hot over there," John said. "He won't say much at all."


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