A SOLDIER'S BURIAL HUNDREDS GATHER TO MOURN GLENDALE MAN SLAIN IN IRAQ.

Byline: Kerry Cavanaugh Staff Writer

At 18, Rel Allen Ravago IV joined the Army to find himself, to find his purpose in life.

First in the day-to-day work of the military and later in the fighting and rebuilding in Iraq, Ravago found that purpose.

He charmed Iraqi children and pushed fellow soldiers to work harder by example and personality alone. He carried more than his share of the work.

And he did it all with that unforgettable smile of his, that grin so familiar that family and friends from Glendale, as well as fellow soldiers, all spoke of it Saturday as they eulogized the 21-year-old Ravago, the former Hoover High student who was killed on Nov. 23 in Iraq.

In all, some 700 people went to Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in the Hollywood Hills for Army Spc. Ravago's funeral and burial.

``The possibility that my grandson wouldn't come home alive was ever present,'' said Ravago's grandfather, Leopoldo Ongcapin, in a eulogy. He had encouraged his grandson to be a military officer.

``Nevertheless, his contributions to something that is greater than one person's life is uplifting and gives meaning to his wonderful life,'' said Ongcapin. ``Nothing can take that away from us.''

Ravago was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division, and was recently given the prestigious job of driver for the 2nd Brigade's Command Sgt. Maj. Jerry L. Wilson. The two were both fatally shot and robbed while driving an SUV through the city of Mosul.

Ravago's superiors described him as a standout soldier, the kind of young man any leader would want to work alongside.

``During operations in Iraq ... he would always set an example for his peers. He motivated his team members by always going the extra mile and always carrying more than his share of the equipment and the load, always helping his other team members and his friends,'' said Sgt. Freeman Hodakowski, whose two sons loved Ravago's playful nature when they saw him during the holidays and at gatherings.

Ravago's cousins and friends said that it was just like him to set an example. Through his years at Hoover High School in Glendale, he was an impressive break dancer who could wow people with flips and gymnastics stunts. Among friends and family, he was the mediator, solving conflicts and problems. Ravago was remembered as always being surrounded by friends, especially ``his bros,'' who came to the funeral Saturday in black shirts and red ties. The close-knit group sang a cappella in his honor and kissed his flag-draped casket.

Jason Juatco, Ravago's best friend since second grade, said the two young men grew up searching for the meaning of life, whether through religion, philosophies or other interests.

``He went to the Army, he told me, because he needed to find himself. He wanted to search for himself and he found that purpose, which was to help people,'' Juatco said.

Though he wrote and told his family how eager he was to get home, Ravago believed in fighting so Iraqis could enjoy the freedom he grew up with, his grandfather Ongcapin said.

``For this, I'm not - and you should not - be sad. These are the things that we live for and (Ravago) lived for them with every ounce of life that was within him. I am very proud of my grandson for his bravery and love of country for the sake of freedom.''

Kerry Cavanaugh, [phone]

kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Childhood friends of Rel Allen Ravago IV pay their respects at his casket at the service on Saturday.

(2 -- color) Officers stand at the memorial service for the 21-year-old Army specialist from Glendale, who was killed in Mosul, Iraq, on Nov. 23. The Hoover High School graduate enlisted in the Army when he was 18 years old.

(3 -- color) Servicemen move the flag-draped casket of Army Spc. Rev Allen Ravago near the Hall of Liberty at the Forest Lawn Memorial-Park funeral on Saturday.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer