IBEW Mourns Two Lost in Iraq

November 2003 IBEW Journal

An IBEW member from Local 153, South Bend, Indiana, and the son of a member of Local 3, New York, New York, are among the Americans who have lost their lives in Iraq.

Air National Guard Sgt. Craig Boling, 38, suffered a fatal heart attack on July 8 while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom, where he had earlier earned the Bronze Star. A member of Local 153 for nine years, Brother Boling leaves behind his wife of 17 years, Tatiana, two daughters Alisha, 14, and Tiffani, 11, and 7-year-old twin sons Samuel and Spencer.

Marine Cpl. Roberto Marcus Rodriquez, 25, was among four Marines killed when their tank plunged off a bridge into the Euphrates River north of An Nasiriyah early in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is the son of Local 3 journeyman Clemente Hernandez, a 25-year member employed by Egg Electric. At his funeral, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said "freedom and security are precious, but they come at a price. Roberto was willing to pay that price."

Local 153 and Brother Boling’s employer, Shaun Electric, have created a trust fund for the Boling family.

Contributions to the Craig Boling Family can be sent in care of Local 153, 1345 Northside Blvd., South Bend, IN, 46615.

The IBEW Journal will seek to honor the memory of all IBEW lives lost in Iraq. Notification can be sent to journal@ibew.org or to IBEW Journal, 1125 15th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005.