May 4, 2009 5:11 pm US/Pacific
22-Year-Old North Bay Soldier Killed In Iraq
INVERNESS (CBS 5 / KCBS / BCN) ―
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22-year-old Jake Velloza of Inverness was among two soldiers killed during an attack in Mosul, Iraq.
Marin Independent-Journal
A 22-year-old Tomales High School graduate was one of two U.S. Army soldiers killed in Mosul over the weekend.
The soldier's family said he was always talking about serving his country.
In high school, Jake Velloza knew he wanted to join the military. He first served in Baghdad, then "re-upped" for a second tour.
"I guess he told his father that maybe I shouldn't go back, you know, but he had second thoughts about it," explained Velloza's grandfather, Richard. "He didn't know exactly where he was going but then when they told him he was going north of Baghdad, he said, well that's quiet up there, I think it would be better, you know."
He wanted to go back to help the friends he had made on the front lines.
Velloza was killed when a long gunman opened fire on a group of Americans. His grandfather described the slain soldier as somebody who was always looking to help out those who couldn't help themselves.
"He always helped the little guy out," he said.
Tomales High School football coach Leon Feliciano remembered Velloza as a running back and defensive end with "legit speed."
Feliciano said the parent of another former Tomales High School player informed him of Velloza's death Sunday.
Word travels fast in the tight-knit, often foggy and drizzly west Marin County farm and ranch area that takes special pride in the Tomales High School Braves' football team.
Feliciano said the Braves' teams tend to be comprised of "physical, grind it out" players but the 6 feet 1 inch muscular Velloza was speedy and had true athleticism.
In a November 2003 game against Kings Academy of Sunnyvale, a game the Braves needed to win, Velloza scored three touchdowns and gained 165 yards, Feliciano recalled.
Velloza played on the 2002 North Coast Section Class B championship team and also was "a heck of a baseball player," Feliciano said.
As a freshman, Velloza knew he wanted to enter the military when he graduated, Feliciano said.
Velloza was an only child and his father played football for Tomales High School, according to Feliciano.
"It was a tradition that goes way back," he said.
"I heard about him in the eighth grade. I told him he has to play here," Feliciano said. "After he won a track meet I called him up."
Velloza joined the Army in 2006, finished one tour of duty in Iraq but re-enlisted.
Velloza wore No. 31 for the Braves and Feliciano and Tomales High School Principal Dino Battaglini said they want to talk to Velloza's family about doing something to honor his memory.
The school has lost other alumni to cancer and a farm accident but never to war, Feliciano said.
"He was quick and intelligent. He made a good soldier. The school and community are proud of him. We'll dedicate next season to Jake," Feliciano said.
(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report.)
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