últimas notícias

In Lawrence, the city mourned Rosario Pichardo, who spent 6 1/2 years in the military and served as a supply chief for the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade based in the Persian Gulf nation of Bahrain.

“We are all devastated by this tragedy,” Lawrence Mayor Kendrys Vasquez said Saturday. “It’s been difficult.”

Rosario Pichardo was among 13 US service members killed in the attack, including 11 Marines.

Vasquez said in a statement that he has been in touch with Rosario Pichardo’s family and extended his condolences. Her relatives, the statement said, asked for privacy. And also that “their loved one be recognized as the hero that she was.”

Vasquez said Lawrence will fly the US Marine Corps flag at City Hall in honor of Rosario Pichardo. Saturday afternoon, he plans to deliver a statement about Rosario Pichardo from the steps of Lawrence City Hall.

Flags have been flying at half-staff on public buildings in Lawrence since Thursday under a proclamation from President Biden to honor the victims of the Kabul attacks.

Jaime Melendez Jr., director of veterans’ services in Lawrence, said he spoke briefly to the leader of the high school’s Junior ROTC program who remembered Rosario Pichardo as an “absolute warrior.”

“She is a daughter of Lawrence. She is a treasure to us,” said Melendez. “Her sacrifice, trust me, will not be in vain and we will not allow her to be forgotten.”

US Senator Elizabeth Warren said Rosario Pichardo is a hero whose courage “saved thousands of lives and her selfless service represents the best of our country.”

“My heart aches for her loved ones,” the Massachusetts senator said in a statement. “We will not forget her sacrifice and we will fulfill our sacred obligation to them forever.”

After Lawrence High, Rosario Pichardo attended Bridgewater State University for a semester in the fall of 2014.

Frederick W. Clark Jr., the university’s president, issued a statement Saturday expressing condolences.

“While we knew her only briefly, it’s clear that Johanny lived the BSU motto “Not To Be Ministered Unto, but To Minister” in her service to our country,” Clark said. “Indeed, as a criminal justice major at BSU, Johanny, even at an early age, had a commitment to justice and public service.”

The university plans to honor Rosario Pichardo at an upcoming ceremony marking the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Clark said.

On Friday night, the Dominican Republic’s embassy in the United States tweeted that she was originally from that Caribbean nation.

Sonia Guzmán, the Dominican Republic’s ambassador to the United States, tweeted in honor of Rosario Pichardo Friday night.

“We share in the pain of her family and friends, also the entire Dominican Community of Lawrence,” Guzmán wrote in Spanish with a photograph of a smiling Rosario Pichardo standing in front of an American flag. “Peace to your soul!”

Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, who was born in the Dominican Republic, honored Rosario Pichardo with tweets in English and Spanish.

“As a woman and as a proud Dominican American, I share in the grief of Sgt. Rosario Pichardo’s family here in the United States and in the Dominican Republic,” she wrote Saturday. “We are indebted to these brave men and women, and it’s my sincere hope that their families find peace in the days to come.”

The Marines released a list of honors awarded to Rosario Pichardo, including two Navy and Marine Corps achievement medal, two Marine Corps good conduct medals, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and two letters of appreciation.

On May 29, her brigade named her “Gator of the Week.” In a Facebook post, the brigade said Rosario Pichardo handled the supply section’s daily administrative functions and noted her “attention to detail and expertise” in handling financial matters.

“Congratulations on your hard work and valuable contributions to the mission,” the brigade wrote.

Massachusetts Fallen Heroes, an organization founded by combat veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, released a statement about Rosario Pichardo’s death.

Rosario Pichardo “will never be forgotten, and her family will never be without Support,” the statement said. “The debt of gratitude from our nation for your sacrifice is immeasurable. No words or actions could convey our deepest condolences. Rest easy, Marine.”

The organization is hosting a vigil Saturday afternoon at its memorial in the Seaport District to show its support for bringing Americans home from Afghanistan, resettling refugees, and supporting veterans.

Laura Crimaldi can be reached at laura.crimaldi@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @lauracrimaldi.