Rel Ravago was born in January 1982 in Los Angeles, California. During his time at Herbert Hoover High School in Glendale, he displayed talents in several fields, including breakdancing, drums and art. His artistic talents, specifically, were so great that his parents were confident he would pursue a career in the arts.
Ravago joined the Army after high school graduation in 2000 because—like his grandfather who had immigrated from the Philippines to find a better life for his family—he loved his country.
In the Army, Ravago was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and served with the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. At the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom, in early 2003, he deployed to Iraq.
On Nov. 23, 2003, Ravago was engaged by enemy forced in Mosul while driving. He and a fellow service member were killed in action.
Immediately after Ravago’s death was announced, his family flew an American flag in their home backyard, and were comforted by other family and friends. One family friend described him as “kn[owing] what was important: family, friends, and country.” His father suggested he was “very family-oriented” and cared for his friends, too.
Ravago was honored several years later at NASCAR’s 2022 600 Miles of Remembrance.
We honor his service.
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Writers: Khaled Maalouf, Tayler Rairigh
Editor: Cate Manning
Researcher: Raphael Romea
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Thank you and your family for your sacrifice. Greater love has no man than to lay his life down for his friends/ country. I Thank your parents for raising such an honorable young man. May their memories carry them until they see you again at their reward assembly when God will tell them “Well done though good and faithful servant enter into the joy of the Lord. God bless you.