Page 106 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2020- Online Magazine

Genaro Bedoy The Service and Sacrifice

of Genaro Bedoy
by Joslyn Harney
as told by Patty Bedoy

SP4 Genaro Bedoy, 52nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd
Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington

Specialist Genaro Bedoy was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal
posthumously, and his awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal (second award), Nation-
al Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service
Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

4, 2011, Genaro had the ensuing eight years since her
convinced Patty that, husband’s death, she has completed
even though they were her education, is now a first grade
young, he couldn’t risk bilingual teacher and has built a life
losing her, so they were for herself and Sofia. Those early
married. “He was truly days after September 16, 2012 were
all about me, all about dark, hard days. Patty says of that
making me feel loved time, “I never understood why this
and happy,” says Patty happened. I begged God for a long
of their relationship. time to help me understand the reason
Genaro also enjoyed why Genaro had to leave us. But the
military life and was truth is, I was never going to know
considering reenlisting the reason. So, I grieved. Then, I
… right up until he made a choice to trust God and put
my daughter first. I told myself every
learned he would be a
A always knew we would get married, day, ‘I can’t let her see me upset.’ I
father. “Genaro said he
life lived. A life taken. Lives
have so much to be thankful for:
left to carry on. SP4 Genaro
Genaro met his daughter before he left
and we would have a little girl,” says
Bedoy loved life. He is
described as a prankster, a young man Patty. “My pregnancy and the birth of us, and he was brave and made good
who lived to play jokes on everyone – our daughter changed his perspective; choices. As a result, we are taken
his friends and especially his mother. he planned to leave the military once care of. I believe even though he isn’t
After graduating from River Road his enlistment was up.” But that was here, he knows he is taking care of
High School, Genaro began taking not to be. me, taking care of his daughter. He
steps to secure his future. While not Just after his daughter, Sofia, was didn’t leave us in the wind. And, I
interested in higher education, he was born, Genaro’s life was cut short by have a wonderful support structure.
interested in establishing a career in Afghan allies at a remote outpost near Genaro’s mother, Beronica, is like
private security or law enforcement. the Pakistan border. He and three my best friend. We are so close and
He also had a desire to contribute of his comrades died in the incident talk daily. One of Genaro’s best
to his country. Joining the military at the hands of the Afghan police friends since Middle School and his
seemed to be the best way to gain they were training, men whom they family remain very close to Sofia
experience and achieve his goals. had come to trust. At only 20 years and me. We vacation together. We
Genaro also had personal goals: to of age, Genaro made the ultimate attend every military event possible
marry the love of his life and start a sacrifice. Genaro is survived by a and have close friendships with the
family. wife, a daughter, a mother and father, Freedom Riders.” That support is
also evident in a statement made by
He and Patty had dated on and off siblings, and friends. These are the Genaro’s friend, Sgt. Chris Kagawa.
during high school and while he was lives that are left to carry on. And, “Genaro was a huge family man. He
in Basic Training. They continued to this is the point where our story really was always counting down the days
distance date while he was stationed begins. until he would be back with his wife
at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Genaro’s wife, Patty Bedoy, calls and daughter. He wanted to have war
Washington state. By November herself a woman of faith. During stories to share with them; he was

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