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Tabitha Bonilla Loses Father and Husband in Iraq

Today’s Austin American Statesman has this story:

23-year old Tabitha Bonilla from Killeen, TX (Ft. Hood) lost her father, Army SFC Henry A. Bacon, last February. SFC Bacon joined the Army in 1982, but delayed his retirement to serve in the war on terrorism, relatives said.

Tabitha’s husband, Army Capt. Orlando A. Bonilla, 27, was killed in a helicopter accident in Baghdad last week.

Through tears and long pauses, Orlando Bonilla’s wife — and Henry Bacon’s daughter — tried to “do justice,” as she put it, to the two most important men in her life.

“I stand behind my daddy and my husband, and I stand behind the job they had to do, and that’s my take on it,” Tabitha Bonilla said. “I just support them, regardless of who sent them over there and why they sent them over there, no matter whether it’s for right or wrong reasons.”

We all know that the price of freedom is not free, nor cheap. It’s especially painful when some must pay more than once. My deepest sympathy, respect, and admiration goes out to Tabitha and her family for their sacrifices.

Posted by Robbie Cooper on Tuesday, February 1st, 2005 | Trackback |

7 Responses to “Tabitha Bonilla Loses Father and Husband in Iraq”

I knew Orlando but never got the chance to meet his wife. My sympathy is sent out to his wife and family; I will pray for your family.

Left by Anonymous on February 3rd, 2005 at 11:01 am

Even though I lost touch with Orlando, I never forgot that he was one of our many great American heros. I am truly sorry for your loss Tabitha and I will keep you and your family in my heart and prayers.

Left by Anonymous on February 3rd, 2005 at 9:06 pm

Hello Mrs Bonilla, I just want to say to you to be strong ,i know it is easy to lose a father and husband at the same period ,but please take heart ,know that the Lord will strenghten you and give hope that will last forever, but remember they are our “Heros” .I just want tell you that you will see them again to part no more, remain blessed and know that Jesus loves you and your entire family . I alawys pray for you and your family.

Left by Obianuju S Emelobe on February 14th, 2005 at 5:12 pm

Hello Mrs. Bonilla,

I am sorry to hear about your loss and you are in my prayers. You have suffered more than any one person should. I want you to know how much I respect the sacrafices you and your family have given. I support our troops but question our “leaders” who put others in harms way but would not serve when it was their time. to do so. Here in Youngstown, Ohio we are planning an event that is a rally at the federal court house Saturday March 19 at 12 noon. We are expecting Kevin and Monica Benderman from Fort Stewart: Kevin is in the initial stages of court martial for refusal to redeploy to Iraq. We are also expecting the wife of a soldier named Sandy McCambridge from Waverly, Ohio and a soldier’s mother from nearby Austintown. While we support our troops we question the president’s actions in Iraq. We want to bring together speakers who can express our concerns. We’d be honored if you could come and tells us your concerns. We would of course pay your expenses etc.

Left by Jim Jordan on February 20th, 2005 at 1:22 pm

Jim, I hope and pray that the soldier you referenced in your comment above is found guilty for refusing the lawful order to redeploy back with his unit to Iraq.

The war in Iraq is a just and noble cause…one to help ensure the safety of the US and the rest of the world, as well as to bring democracy to a people who have known nothing but tyranny and torture for their entire lives. It’s unfortunate that you and the rest of the Liberal Left have chose to be on the wrong side of history.

And the President did not put these young men and women ‘in harms’ way. They signed up, voluntarily, to place themselves between war and the homefront. They are fighting for a cause bigger and nobler than you apparantly can imagine. You profess to support these soldiers, but as a former soldier and the brother of an active duty soldier, I can tell you what the majority of men and women in uniform feel about those, like you, who claim to support the troops: We don’t beleive you. You give comfort to the enemy. And we wish you would pick up a rifle and join us, or shut your pie hole.

Oh, and President Bush did serve honorably. I presume you were talking about your boy Bill “I’ll be in Canada if you need me” Clinton.

Left by Robbie on February 20th, 2005 at 6:13 pm

Ms. Tabitha,

Hello, I am really sorry for the lost of your father and husband. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through, but my prayers and heart is with you and your family. I had the honors to serve with your father, and he was a great man! My sympathies and respects to your husband also. Thank you and your family for giving us the opportunity to have your father, and that your husband is well given the same respect, GOD bless you all and I’ll will never forget what you have done, to have supported both your father and husband, you are in our prayers, the NIUVELA family.

Left by Kevin Niuvela on June 23rd, 2005 at 10:00 pm

Mrs. Bonilla,

I am truly sadden to hear about your loss. I had the opportunity, nine years ago, to meet Orlando. I met him in college. He was a true gentleman. It was great to know him as a person and now a hero. You are in my prayers. I believe you have two angels by your side.

Left by Anonymous on August 4th, 2005 at 10:13 pm

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