Saturday, September 30, 2006

Carlos Dominguez killed by roadside bomb


SAVANNAH, Ga. - A Beatles melody has been running through Lisa Dominguez's head ever since she learned her father was killed Saturday in Iraq.

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds is the title of the song Carlos Dominguez would sing to his little girl, now 28. But he would always substitute "Lucy" with her name, Lisa.

"He used to personalize that song for me," she said Tuesday. "He was a very loving man. When he gave, he gave with his whole heart."

Staff Sgt. Dominguez, 57, an Army reservist and 20-year Savannah resident who was called back to active duty, was killed Saturday when a roadside bomb exploded near his Humvee in Taji, Iraq, the Pentagon announced Tuesday.

Staff Sgt. Dominguez deployed to Iraq in April, and he kept in contact with his family through weekly e-mails and telephone calls, said his wife, Kim Dominguez.

As a civil affairs specialist, he was helping Iraqis rebuild their nation and was proud of his work, she said.

"He was helping the Iraqi people bring freedom and peace," Kim Dominguez said. "He said it was dangerous, but he was accomplishing his duty."

A native of Los Angeles, Staff Sgt. Dominguez and his family moved to Savannah nearly 20 years ago. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

From the Augusta Chronicle