Sgt. Moses D. Rocha, U.S.M.C (KIA)

(reprinted from TheNewMexicoChannel.com, August 16, 2004)

Roswell Marine Remembered Monday

Friends Call Moses Rocha A 'Strong Man'

A Roswell Marine sergeant who was killed in Iraq was remembered by friends as a strong man with a powerful presence.

Sgt. Moses Daniel Rocha was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart before his burial service at South Park Cemetery in Roswell on Saturday.

Rocha's friend Melanie Varagon described him as a strong person who could always lift your spirits up.

Rocha died this month near the Iraqi city of Najaf. He was driving to recover supplies for his unit when he came under fire from Iraqi militants armed with guns and mortars.

Rocha was serving his second tour in Iraq. He had graduated from Goddard High School in 1990 and joined the Marines at 24. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton before being deployed to Iraq.

Rocha is the fifth New Mexico serviceman to die in Iraq since the war began and the second from Roswell to die in August.