Today, a hero is laid to rest

As I contemplate what a great man my Uncle Boya was, I cannot help but recall his stories of war. The times his soldiers made him lead because he looked like a North Vietnamese soldier more than an American soldier. How he fell out of a helicopter and broke his back. My favorite was how he was shot in battle, and still bears the scar to prove it. All these stories were very interesting and amusing, but also all life threatening. I came to know him in his twilight years, but caught the most caring and thoughtful Uncle Boya.

Whenever I asked him how he was doing, no matter what pain or medical apparatus he had, he would always smile like the world got brighter with every passing day. Come to think of it, he has always fought wars of kinds throughout his life. However and maybe more remarkable is that he lived it with honor. Honor is a cornerstone of our United States military. It is among the finest qualities of a soldier, a father, and a man. This is evident in Uncle Boya when President Nixon presented him with a plaque so that he can see and feel the gratitude of this country for the good he has done for it.

Another form of war he fought was a personal war. He had a war going on internally with his many complicated conditions and disabilities. I have never met anyone who could take pain like Uncle Boya. He was like a lion in the face of pain, never winced or wept a single tear. After several surgeries and the dreaded heart bypass surgery, he still had it in him to smile and make people feel important. The more I think of it, the more I believe it was because of all the war in his life that made him realize that he needed God. Just like a great hero, his humility allowed him to see this and he jumped at the opportunity. He would be ready for church hours before, and would call me and my wife to hurry up so we were not late for church every Sunday. He always seemed refreshed and re-energized after church on Sundays. We would have family day every Sunday where we would go to the beach, or a restaurant, barbecue or visit the military supply store. He loved Sundays and he loved family.

As his disabilities became more apparent, he offered it up to God. He used a cane but walked with purpose especially when he walked to receive communion. The family had a nickname for him—Tough Sonoda—which usually made him chuckle. Finally he began using an oxygen tank, but it did not stop him from conducting himself honorably. When honor guides a person, they do good unselfish deeds for others. I can only pray that we, the living, can learn from this and apply it to our own lives and ultimately make the lives of those around us better just like Uncle Boya did.

So on this day in the CNMI, a hero is laid to rest in Kaneohe on Oahu Hawaii. It will be done with full military honors. A fitting tribute to a man who did not let war or anything else compromise his honor. As those six guns fire three times, they carry with them echoes of his honor. Jose Arriola Sonoda was a hero! He lived honorably and put himself in harm’s way for the sake of Americans everywhere. On July 3, 2011, my wife’s birthday, he passed at Tripler Military Hospital in Honolulu Hawaii. He will be missed by his family and friends.