Slain Parkland Soldier Remembered for Patriotism, Devotion to Faith
Parkland, FL — Daniel Agami’s parents were surprised two years ago when he announced he was joining the Army.
They called him their beloved son. The military called him great promotional material and planned to have him appear in an advertising campaign. Because of his adherence to his faith, his fellow infantrymen affectionately called him “G.I. Jew.”
Pfc. Agami, 25, was killed with four other soldiers in a Humvee on Thursday while patrolling Iraq. The Department of Defense announced Monday that he died of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near the vehicle.
Agami was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, in Schweinfurt, Germany. He will be buried today.
The Army notified his parents, who live in Parkland, on Friday. On Monday, they were in shock, dealing with the pain of the death of their son, who had spoken to them with passion about his mission overseas.
“He felt a responsibility to his country,” said his father, Itzhak Agami.
“He was totally patriotic,” said his mother, Beth Agami.
Lt. Col. Doug Maddox, the Army’s casualty assistance officer, called Agami an “exemplary soldier.”
“He will be receiving several awards — the Purple Heart, Army commendation medal, Bronze Star — that will be presented to the family at the funeral,” Maddox said.
Born in Ohio, Agami came to South Florida with his family when he was 4 and lived in several cities in Broward, including Coconut Creek, Margate and, most recently, Coral Springs and Parkland. He attended the Hebrew Academy Community School, in Margate.
He told his parents how in the Army, many of his comrades from the Midwest had never met a Jew.
In a speech to Chabad-Lubavitch of Greater Boynton Beach when he visited home during Passover, he told congregants how he went to Fort Benning, Ga., for basic training and quickly found that “many meals involved pork,” which Jews who keep kosher are not allowed to eat.
“But the drill sergeant was very accommodating to me,” he added.
Agami said he faced “bloody battles with insurgents. I go on daily or nightly missions raiding Iraqi homes to find weapons and bombs. …The deaths of my friends have been traumatic. I lost six of my closest friends. …America fights for freedom and survival for the souls of the entire world.”
His parents said they haven’t slept well since he went off to war, but they never really thought anything could happen to one of their two cherished sons.
“You don’t want to believe it will ever happen to your own,” said Beth Agami. “On TV, it’s one soldier here, five soldiers here. But you go, ‘It’s not going to be my kid.’”
On Monday, as the Agamis nursed their heartbreak, U.S. flags decorated the potted plants in the front lawn and their mailbox.
“He loved to party,” said Itzhak Agami. “He was quick with the jokes. He had 10,000 friends, and 10,000 friends thinking he was their best friend.”
very sad.
this is truly a heartbreaking story. Boruch dayon haemes.
Rosey
My heart goes out to the parents.
They should know no more sorrow…..
and should find great comfort in that this young man exemplifyed a True Kiddush Hashem which we can all learn from.
ayl
I remember reading an article about his service. At that time I cried bittersweet tears, fearful of his future. Now I know my tears were warrented. :(
Baruch Dayan Emes,
We sadly extend our Condolences to his beloved Family.
United We Stand…
Hannah Lieberman
Proud & Sad
A true Jewish hero, a Maccabee who fought for all of us.
May his family be comforted.
tf
SO SAD
bryna
He looks like such a sweet heart! so sad,
baruch dayan emes,
benyomin
He was a real veteran. Those people fighting in the army are real special people, A real kidush hashem,
shame what a loss. May his family be comforted and all of klall yisroel.
John Zomer
BS”D
Truly heartbreaking indeed.
May HaShem comfort the beloved ones with their great loss.
This man and all the other perished soldiers fight for OUR freedom, also for mine in the Netherlands.
Another sad thing is that oh so many people do not see this.
Please pray for their beloved ones.
Sincerely,
John
Lara Shiner
we will always love you Danny.
you are a true hero and will never be forgotten.
COMMANDER JACOB SAHL
THIS PAST YEAR WAS NOT A "sHANAH tOVAH".
fOR THE COMING YEAR SHANAH TOVAH TIKAH SEVAH.
MAY DANIELS’S MEMORY NEVER FADE.
cOMMANDER jACOB sAHL, POST 321, JEWISH WAR VETERANS OF AMERICA.