Final farewell

FORT SAM HOUSTON After 16 days of waiting, Rafael Cuellar Jr. saluted his son Friday as U.S. Army Sgt. Bacilio “Bozzy” Cuellar was sent to his final resting place at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery outside San Antonio.

“I’m just glad we rested our son,” Rafael Cuellar Jr. said at the cemetery. “I hope nobody else has to do the same for their son in the future. It was hard.”

At the funeral service at the Main Post Chapel, friends and family remembered a man who had multiple roles in his life.

“Bozzy has left a legacy — remember your friend, husband and son,” Chaplain James A. Benson said to a crowd of long faces.

The most emotional moment of the funeral was when Shauna Cuellar, Bozzy’s sister, sang “Amazing Grace” — a tear rolling down her cheek as she sang during the funeral.

Soon after “I once was lost,” Lori Cuellar finally broke down after holding back tears for most of the service.

Many memories were shared at the service, but the one most had in their heads during the service was of Bozzy’s outgoing personality.

“I never had a bad day with Bozzy,” said the slain soldier’s friend, Christopher Brightman, 23. “If you were having a horrible day, you would be around Bozzy, and your day changed instantly.”

Bozzy’s sister, who came back up to the stage to speak of her experiences with her brother, also spoke of his outgoing nature.

“He always had a smile on his face — always,” she said. “We will keep him in our hearts forever.”

Lori Cuellar, Bozzy’s mother, said he was a family man and a cousin who he brought the family together in an unusual way.

“He always said ‘When I get home, I want the family to get together,’ ” the cousin said. “Well, Bozzy, you did it — just the wrong way.”

A friend and a member of the U.S. Air Force said Bozzy’s service should be rewarded, even though it ended in death.

“He did a good thing (in joining the U.S. Army); it just was horrible how it ended,” Melissa Looney said.

After the service, Rafael Cuellar said he just hopes his son is the last soldier to die from Odessa for “a long time.”

“I hope he is the last for a while,” he said. “I’m afraid this … is not going to stop.”