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June 26, 2007
In Memory of Daniel Agami
Pfc. Daniel Agami will be remembered for patriotism, devotion to faith
PARKLAND -- Daniel Agami's parents were surprised two years ago when he announced he was joining the Army.
They called him their beloved son. The military called him great promotional material and planned to have him appear in an advertising campaign. Because of his adherence to his faith, his fellow infantrymen affectionately called him "G.I. Jew."
Pfc. Agami, 25, was killed with four other soldiers in a Humvee on Thursday while patrolling Iraq. The Department of Defense announced Monday that he died of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near the vehicle.
Agami was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, in Schweinfurt, Germany. He will be buried today.
The Army notified his parents, who live in Parkland, on Friday. On Monday, they were in shock, dealing with the pain of the death of their son, who had spoken to them with passion about his mission overseas.
"He felt a responsibility to his country," said his father, Itzhak Agami.
"He was totally patriotic," said his mother, Beth Agami.
Lt. Col. Doug Maddox, the Army's casualty assistance officer, called Agami an "exemplary soldier."
"He will be receiving several awards — the Purple Heart, Army commendation medal, Bronze Star — that will be presented to the family at the funeral," Maddox said.
Born in Ohio, Agami came to South Florida with his family when he was 4 and lived in several cities in Broward, including Coconut Creek, Margate and, most recently, Coral Springs and Parkland. He attended the Hebrew Academy Community School, in Margate.
He told his parents how in the Army, many of his comrades from the Midwest had never met a Jew.
In a speech to Chabad-Lubavitch of Greater Boynton Beach when he visited home during Passover, he told congregants how he went to Fort Benning, Ga., for basic training and quickly found that "many meals involved pork," which Jews who keep kosher are not allowed to eat.
"But the drill sergeant was very accommodating to me," he added.
Agami said he faced "bloody battles with insurgents. I go on daily or nightly missions raiding Iraqi homes to find weapons and bombs. … The deaths of my friends have been traumatic. I lost six of my closest friends. … America fights for freedom and survival for the souls of the entire world."
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I feel so sad, its hard to find words. This afternoon, we say good-bye.
His resting place shall be in the Garden of Eden.
Therefore, the Master of mercy will care for him
under the protection of His wings for all time
And bind his soul in the bond of everlasting life.
God is his inheritance and he will rest in peace
and let us say Amen.
Services are today at the Star of David funeral home at 7801 Bailey Rd. in North Lauderdale beginning at 3:30pm. I'll be there, please, come if you can make it.
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Please visit In Memory of Daniel Agami, read about Danny and see his photos, light a candle in memory, share your thoughts with his family.
Posted by LindaSoG at June 26, 2007 06:58 AM
Comments
Thank you Linda, for memorializing him. My prayers go out to his family and his troop, too.
RG
Posted by: RightGirl at June 26, 2007 09:34 AM
Prayers are being said in Alabama for Daniel and his family. Thanks Linda for posting on this and sharing.
Posted by: c.a. Marks at June 26, 2007 09:44 AM
That's a devastating loss for the country, his friends and his family. I'm so sorry and I'll be praying for all who love him to have comfort.
Posted by: jane at June 26, 2007 10:11 AM
To the parents of Pfc. Agami,
Thank you for raising such a honorable son. His service to this country and his faith in God are to be commended and honored. May God comfort you in this loss and His peace be with you.
Posted by: raz0r at June 26, 2007 11:06 AM
Thank you Linda for telling us about Pfc.Agami.
We are so fortunate to have Heroes like Pfc.Agami, I wish with all my heart that all those serving know how much we all appreciate their service.
To the parents and loved ones of Pfc.Agami, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Your son is why I live in the land of the free and no words can come near how much his service means to me.
Posted by: Wild Thing at June 26, 2007 11:41 AM
My heart is in my throat.
G-d will be well-served with such a noble man at His side. My deepest sympathy to his family--even perfect strangers like me feel some loss at Daniel's passing, but nothing like the weight they carry. My prayers are for them.
Posted by: Beth at June 26, 2007 04:08 PM
My deepest sympathy to his family,and my prayers.
Greg
Posted by: Greg at June 26, 2007 06:19 PM
Thank you for sharing this tribute. Thank you to his parents for raising a true American hero!
Posted by: Greta at June 26, 2007 06:54 PM
May God give comfort to his loved ones who are missing him.
Posted by: Rene at June 26, 2007 07:16 PM
For the parents and family of Pfc Agami:
Please know that there are many of us out here, sharing your grief.
You raised a good man, who became a good soldier for his country.
The respect and admiration I have for our soldiers that fight for us, knows no bounds.
I am so very sorry.
The loss of your son is being felt around the world.
May G_d bestow His peace upon you.
Posted by: Melissa In Texas at June 26, 2007 07:57 PM
thank you, everyone, for taking the time to remember Danny.
Posted by: LindaSoG at June 26, 2007 08:11 PM
God bless PFC Agami and his family.
Posted by: TC at June 26, 2007 08:24 PM
I grieve for thier loss, but am filled with admiration for the Agami family, to have raised such a fine son.
Posted by: Stoo at June 26, 2007 08:44 PM
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Agami and family,
I am a senior American that has taken the loss of all our troops as personal. I have been on this daily since we first went in. I am continually overwhelmed to tears at the courage, committment and honor your son and others have bought to this nation with their service.
Lt. White said it best at a Ranger Graduation:
"Don't let the pessimistic, television talking heads,high browed newspaper editors, Hollywood idiots,or any other faction of the "blame America first" crowd get you down! I'm speaking of the "latte biscotti crowd”.
“They are simply background chatter, men, and
will always exist on the periphery of any
endeavor that requires selfless service or
loyalty. They are not worthy of your concern and,
truth be told, in the pit of their cowardly hearts,they wish they could be like you."
I grieve for you and with you. I only wish I could be there to hug you. Thank You for raising a wonderful son. You do have a lot to be proud of. He will rest in peace in the Mansions of The Lord. Amen.
Posted by: AUSPatriotman at June 26, 2007 10:00 PM
Bill O'Reilly highlighted this hero tonight. http://www.billoreilly.com/show?action=latestTVShow
Posted by: Greta at June 26, 2007 11:43 PM
Daniel Agami stood as a man, as men must do, for something bigger than himself. In his case it was on two fronts; America, and Judaism.
May God fold him in his hands. Rest well, my brother.
Posted by: Fred Jameson at June 27, 2007 09:37 AM
Thank you for fighting for our contry and defending our freedom Danny...You will be missed by so many. It was a pleasure to have known you. RIP my friend.
Posted by: Marina at June 27, 2007 05:34 PM
To the entire Agami family. You could have never in a million years raised a better son. I am so deeply sorry for your lose. Daniel's death has caused severe pain and anger in many troops world wide. Daniel loved you guys so much and would sit for hours showing me all his pictures of family & friends. He was proud of his family and his faith and I always loved him for that. God rest his soul!
Posted by: SPC Greg Buck at June 27, 2007 05:37 PM
יהי זכרו ברוך
Posted by: rina jerusalem, israel at June 28, 2007 01:32 PM
My family and I visited our parents that day in boynton beach when he spoke at the synagogue. He made a beautiful and heartfelt speech about his friends that he lost in iraq. I went over to him afterwards and said hello. He was so sweet, I was so sad to hear about his death.
I will never forget him. My condolences to his family and friends.
Posted by: kate wacholder(Lamb) at July 25, 2007 12:08 AM