John Rode laid to rest

WASHINGTON -- Sgt. John D. Rode died in Iraq as a Canadian in an American uniform. But the young soldier will be buried today as a U.S. citizen, in a cemetery where the nation puts its warriors to rest.

Last week, the United States granted citizenship to the 24-year-old, soon after the Army sergeant was killed on Valentine's Day. The honor adds to a Bronze Star and at least one Purple Heart, his family said.

"I think he'd say that's part of the job -- the medals," said one of his three older sisters, Peggy Rode-Storey. But becoming an American citizen "was something he always wanted."

She was in Washington on Tuesday to attend a brief ceremony recognizing her brother's new nationality. He is one of 91 military service members since Sept. 11, 2001, to receive posthumous citizenship.

Rode was born in Ontario but moved to the United States in 1999. He joined the service two years later, visiting his parents' home in Lake Mary as a stopover between deployments.

Through his military career, Rode took steps to become a full-fledged citizen, even bringing application information with him to Iraq.

Rode was killed in his second tour of duty, when a roadside bomb destroyed his armor-plated truck. Two other soldiers also died in the attack.

The three were on the way to help other soldiers when the bomb exploded, the third such attack Rode faced in recent weeks. They were part of a rapid-response team assigned to rescue troops from damaged military vehicles.

From the Sentinel

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