Bobby Mejia dies of injuries from I.E.D.

Bobby Mejia II loved the classics -- Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and the Road Runner.

And the Saginaw resident sought to take that joy of art and turn it into a career.

"His dream was to be an artist," his father, Bobby Mejia Sr., said Wednesday of his namesake. "He told me he always wanted to work for the Walt Disney Company. He loved cartoons and animation.

Mejia, 45, lost his only child Saturday when an improvised explosive device detonated near the vehicle that his son and two other soldiers were traveling in during combat operations in Salman Park, Iraq, the Department of Defense reported.

Army Spc. Mejia II was 20.

The three soldiers were assigned to the First Battalion 125th Infantry from Big Rapids.

Mejia II was a 2004 Saginaw High School graduate. His mother is Lovea Hernandez.

"I remember his 15th birthday. I bought him an air rifle," his father said. "We spent the day near the Cass River shooting at plastic bottles."

Mejia II is the third mid-Michigan soldier to die this year in Iraq.

Army Staff Sgt. William S. "Jack" Jackson II of Saginaw Township died last month, and Sgt. Ralph N. Porras of Merrill died in September.

In 2003, Army Spc. Richard A. Goward of Midland was the first mid-Michigan soldier to die in the war in Iraq.

It was about a year ago when Mejia saw his son for the last time.

"I told him to never get frustrated, to never give up," Mejia said. "Face life, but never give up. And keep God in your life."

Mejia said his son was proud to serve in the military.

"To me, he made the right choice to serve his country," Mejia said. "My son died for his country. He died with honor, pride and guts."

From the Gazette