Minister of Defense Pandeli Majko commiserates the family of the American soldier with Albanian nationality Ervin Dervishi. Minister Majko expressed to his family, on behalf of the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces of the Republic of Albania, deeply felt condolences for the unexpected loss of the 22 years old youngster. “We share in your pain and at the same time feel proud for the heroic act of your son”, said Minister Majko to Ervin’s parents in the United States through phone conversation. He informed them also that the Commando Regiment will organize Thursday a military ceremony to honor Ervin Dervishi, the ceremony is in honor to the fallen in duty. The Minister has required the Albanian troops in Iraq to be silent for a minute in the memory of Ervin, while the military ceremonial takes place in Tirana.

21, of Fort Worth, Texas.
Dervishi died in Baji, Iraq, during a combat patrol when a rocket-propelled grenade hit the Bradley Fighting Vehicle in which he was traveling. He was evacuated to the 28th Combat Support Hospital where he later died. Dervishi was assigned the Company B, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas. Died on January 24, 2004.

He went through basic training in Georgia and was stationed out of Fort Hood, where he was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. Pfc. Dervishi was present for the arrest of Saddam Hussein.

“Life [in Albania] was hard,” Ms. Beebe said. “Both boys had already seen war up close. They had both witnessed a lot of death and destruction and murder.”

But that only spurred Pfc. Dervishi and his brother in their desire to join the military, go to college and eventually become police officers, Ms. Beebe said.