Ricardo “Ricky” Seija (May 21, 1981-July 8, 2012)
978th Military Police Company, 93rd Military Police Battalion,
89th Military Police Brigade
By Brendan Jordan
Early Life
Ricardo “Ricky” Seija was born on May 21, 1981, in Chicago, IL, the youngest son of Ricardo Sr. and Ignacia Seija.1 Both Ricardo Sr. and Ignacia hailed from Barranquilla, Colombia, where they met in adulthood; their mothers were neighbors.2 Approximately thirty years younger than her husband, Ignacia married Ricardo Sr. before moving to the US. Ricky had three older siblings, his half-sister Yadira (1956) and two brothers, Yunis (1975) and Eduardo (1978).3
In the latter part of the twentieth century, Colombia faced governmental, political, and economic instability that drove many people to leave the country.4 The emergence of armed guerilla groups and cartel violence in the 1960s and 1970s also contributed to the rapidly deteriorating situation in Colombia.5 All of these factors likely influenced the Seija family’s decision to move to the US in 1980.6 Before this, Ricardo Sr. helped his daughter, Yadira, immigrateto the US in 1973 at the age of seventeen.7
The Seija boys enjoyed their upbringing. As a young boy, Ricky demonstrated interest in defending his country by playing with toy soldiers; he also expressed his adherence to ideals such as peace and liberty.8 Ignacia remembers Ricky as having a calm and quiet disposition like his father. The two bore a strong resemblance to one another and the family often likened them to twins.9 Ricky grew up healthy and ate everything his mother placed before him. His love for her cooking followed him into adulthood.10 His passions in life, beyond his childhood dream of joining the US military, centered around “his family and watching sports.”11 Ricky and his brothers attended East High School in Rockford, IL where Yunis and Eduardo eventually graduated.
In 1998, the Seija family moved from the Chicago area to Tampa, FL.12 A strong economy and booming job market defined Florida in the 1990s, where an apparent surplus of jobs meant that “every adult in Tampa, Miami, Orlando, and Jacksonville” could find employment.13 Ricardo Sr. and Ignacia made the decision to move the family to Tampa for the benefit of their sons, as they saw it as a “calmer city” compared to Chicago. Extended family also lived in the area, which likely served as a further motivation.14 After moving, Ignacia began work as a custodian at the Tampa International Airport, supporting the family as Ricardo Sr. had retired.15 Once in Florida, Ricky attended Leto High School.16 While at school in IL, Yunis and Eduardo proved to be successful student-athletes, partaking in wrestling and cross country.17 Ricky followed in their footsteps, joining the wrestling team and earning many accolades for his efforts.18 In addition to wrestling, Ricky ran cross-country.19 Ricky graduated a year early in 1999 to pursue his childhood dream of joining the military.20
While stationed in Puerto Rico, Ricky met and married his first wife, Sgt. Jill Taylor. They had a son named Ricardo (2003), affectionately called “Little Ricky.” Although the two divorced in 2006, Ricky found companionship again and married Sunny Vang in spring 2012.21
Military Service
Eager to jumpstart his military career, Ricky entered service around the turn of the new millennium.22 During his extensive twelve-year career in the Army, Ricky was stationed all across the world, particularly in Germany, Puerto Rico, and Korea. All this traveling culminated in his arrival at Fort Bliss, TX.23 From here, he departed for Afghanistan as a member of the 89th MP (Military Brigade) during Operation Enduring Freedom.24 There, he took part in Operation Enduring Freedom as a member of the 89th MP (Military Police) Brigade.25 The 89th MP Brigade boasts a shoulder insignia that features a dragon with a bamboo stalk in its mouth laid over an eight-point star with a sword through the middle. Across the top of the image runs the group’s motto: Proven in Battle.26 As a result of this, the group refers to themselves as the Griffin Brigade.27
The Afghanistan War started as a result of the September 11 attacks, which occurred about a year after Ricky joined the army. Operation Enduring Freedom, the US name for the conflict during its first stages, officially began on October 7th, 2001.28 The war in Afghanistan remains the longest conflict America has fought to date.29 While the US military eliminated Osama bin Laden in 2011, a primary objective of Operation Enduring Freedom, they continued to occupy Afghanistan for an additional decade.30 Subsequent spikes in insurgent activity following bin Laden’s death led American personnel to believe that sustained military engagement in the Middle East remained necessary for a more permanent victory. Within this context, Ricky arrived in Afghanistan in March 2012, to begin serving his first combat mission. Ricky and his comrades with the 89th MP Brigade taught American notions of law to the Afghan National Army and police. This involved frequent travel around their areas of operation.31 Initially scheduled to return home in November, the US Army permitted Ricky an early leave in August to visit his parents and his son.32
Unfortunately, one month prior to his leave, on July 8th, 2012, at around 8:00 pm local time, Ricky and five other Americans from the same company struck a roadside bomb while traveling in an armored truck in Maidan Shahr, the capital of Wardak province in central Afghanistan.33 The group was conducting a route clearance patrol when the incident occurred.34 The names of those accompanying him were Spc. Trevor Adkins, Spc. Erika Alecksen, Spc. Alejandro Pardo, Spc. Cameron Stambaugh, and Spc. Clarence Williams III. The servicemen and women had hit an improvised device believed to have contained “more than 200 pounds of explosives.”35 There were no survivors. Ricky survived the initial blast but succumbed to his injuries later that same night.36
Legacy
Nine days after his death, Ricky’s remains arrived at MacDill Air Force Base in downtown Tampa, FL, where his family stood waiting.37 His friends and loved ones gathered for his funeral service the next day in the early morning of July 18.38 Ricky was given the honor of a military service and a private service. A procession guided by local law enforcement through the streets transported his casket between the two ceremonies. The Patriot Guard Riders, a motorcycle club that honors Veterans in a variety of ways, including by attending their funerals, made up the rear of the procession.39 Tampa residents, office workers, and police officers lined the streets to pay their respects, as well as Red Cross members based in Tampa. Ricky’s oldest brother Yunis recalls how he felt seeing strangers stand out on the sidewalk to show their respects as Ricky’s casket drove past, full of gratitude and awe. Governor Rick Scott ordered for flags in Hillsborough County (Tampa) and Tallahassee, the state capital, to be flown at half-staff in honor of Ricky and Clarence Williams III.40 Williams, who died in the same incident that killed Ricky, hailed from the Tampa Bay area as well.41 Following the procession, Ricky’s loved ones laid him to rest at Florida National Cemetery. See here his headstone found in section 321, plot 68.42
Many lovingly remember Ricky. His obituary resides on several websites, which are all full of fond messages from friends, family, and strangers alike.43 On a larger scale, Ricky was honored on the floor of the House of Representatives. Rep. Kathy Castor, officeholder of the 11th Congressional District at the time, recognized him on the floor of the House of Representatives, thanking him for his service and sharing his memory with the assembled federal lawmakers.44 Two years after his passing, members of the 202nd Military Police Company organized a 10K relay race to commemorate their fallen brethren. Each mile represented one of the six soldiers killed alongside Ricky, with the very first one dedicated to him. Event organizers planned to give memorabilia from the run to family members as a way of showing that the company keeps the memory of their comrades alive.45 Ricky was recognized in the Tampa Tribune on Veterans Day in 2013 to commemorate fallen service members from the area.46 Fort Bliss, TX, where he and his company resided before deploying to Afghanistan, held a memorial in early 2o14 to remember the fallen six.
Throughout his military career, Ricky earned numerous accolades for his service. He was awarded
the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal-Third Award, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 3, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 3, and the Driver and Mechanic Badge.47
Additionally, he earned a Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart posthumously.48 The 978th Military Police Company earned the Major General Harry H. Bandholtz award for “being the best military police company in the US Army” throughout 2021. Army personnel conducted the ceremony on the 80th anniversary of its establishment in 2022.49
Though no longer with us, Ricky lives on in the hearts and memories of everyone fortunate to cross paths with him. He survives through his parents, Ignacia and Ricardo Sr., his two brothers, his wife, his son, Little Ricky, and plenty of extended family.50 Ricky Seija's smile and laughter remain etched in the memories of those who recall him, ensuring that his memory persists. His valor and bravery will never be forgotten. As Little Ricky puts it, “My daddy is a hero.”51
Endnotes
1 Myriam Silva-Warren, “Extrañando a Ricky,” Tampa Tribune, May 24, 2013, 1 (accessed August 25, 2023); “U.S., Public Records Index, 1994-2019,” database, Ancestry (https://ancestry.com: accessed 29 November, 2023), entry for Ignacia Seija.
2 Myriam Silva-Warren, “Extrañando a Ricky,” Tampa Tribune, May 24, 2013, 5 (accessed November 2, 2023).
3 Yadira was the daughter of Ricardo Sr. and his first wife. “Soldier,” Tampa Tribune, July 11, 2012, 6 (accessed August 25, 2023); Caitlin Johnston and Marissa Lang, “Fallen Tampa Soldier Honored,” Tampa Bay Times, July 18, 2012, B1 (accessed August 25, 2023); “U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume I,” database, Ancestry (https://ancestry.com: accessed October 30, 2023), entry for Yunis Seija; “U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume II,” database, Ancestry (https://ancestry.com: accessed October 30, 2023), entry for Eduardo Seija. Sources may refer to Yunis as Juan, or Eduardo as Edvardo; “Illinois, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991,” database, Ancestry (ancestry.com: accessed February 15, 2024), entry for Yadira Maria Seija Sanabria; “Extrañando a Ricky,” 5.
4 “Colombian Armed Conflict,” Justice for Colombia, accessed October 30, 2023. https://justiceforcolombia.org/about-colombia/colombian-armed-conflict/.
5 “The Colombian Diaspora in the United States.” Migration Policy Institute. Modified May 2015 (accessed October 30, 2023). https://www.migrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/publications/RAD-ColombiaII.pdf.
6 “Dolor,” Tampa Tribune, March 29, 2013, 5 (accessed August 25, 2023).
7 “Northern District, Illinois, U.S., Naturalization Index, 1926-1979,” database, Ancestry (ancestry.com: accessed February 15, 2024), entry for Ricardo Seija; “Illinois, U.S., Federal Naturalization Records, 1856-1991,”entry for Yadira Maria Seija Sanabria. Some sources suggest that Ricardo Sr. may have lived in the US with some family members before settling permanently with Ignacia in Chicago; “Northern District, Illinois, U.S., Naturalization Index, 1926-1979,” database, Ancestry (ancestry.com: accessed April 3, 2024), entry for Richardo Seija.
8 José Patiño Girona and Howard Altman, “IED Kills Leto Graduate,” Tampa Tribune, July 11, 2012, 1 (accessed August 25, 2023).
9 “IED Kills Leto Graduate.”
10 “Extrañando a Ricky,” 1.
11 “Soldier.”
12 East High School, Never Before Never Again (Rockford, IL: 1996), 186-187, Classmates, https://www.classmates.com/siteui/yearbooks/4182933807?page=191, accessed November 2, 2023; “Soldier.”
13 Jeff Harrington and Barry Klein, “A Decade in Florida: Losing Ground,” Tampa Bay Times, November 14, 2001 (accessed November 8, 2023).
14 “Extrañando a Ricky,” 5.
15 Marlene Sokol and Robbyn Mitchell, “Afghanistan Roadside Bombing Claims Second Bay Area Soldier,” Tampa Bay Times, July 11, 2012, A1 (accessed August 25, 2023).
16 “IED Kills Leto Graduate.”
17 East High School, Traditional With A Twist (Rockford, IL: 1994), 67, Classmates, https://www.classmates.com/siteui/yearbooks/4182933752?page=70, accessed 2 November, 2023; “IED Kills Leto Graduate,” 93.
18 Never Before Never Again, 144.
19 “Ricardo Seija,” Iraq/Afghanistan War Heroes, accessed July 30, 2023.
20 “Ricardo Seija,” Iraq/Afghanistan War Heroes.
21 Marlene Sokol and Robbyn Mitchell, “Second Area Soldier Dies in Bombing,” Tampa Bay Times, July 11, 2012, A7 (accessed August 25, 2023); “Texas, U.S., Marriage Index, 1824-2019,” database, Ancestry (ancestry.com: accessed July 30, 2023), entry for Ricardo Seija, El Paso, TX: 2012.
22 Some sources say 2000, whereas others say 1999.
23 “Six Fort Bliss Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan Honored at Memorial,” ABC7 KVIA, February 10, 2014, (accessed July 30, 2023).
24 “Ricardo Seija Obituary,” Legacy, July 18, 2012 (accessed July 30, 2023).
25 “Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Casualties,” database, Fold3 (fold3.com: accessed July 30, 2023), entry for Ricardo Seija.
26 “89th Military Police Brigade History,” 89th Military Police Brigade, U.S. Army, accessed November 2, 2023, https://home.army.mil/cavazos/units-tenants/89th-military-police-brigade/89th-mp-history.
27 “89th Military Police Brigade,” Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, accessed November 2, 2023, https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/89MPB
28 “The U.S. War in Afghanistan,” Council on Foreign Relations, accessed November 2, 2023, https://www.cfr.org/timeline/us-war-afghanistan
29 Joe Biden. “Remarks by President Biden on the End of the War in Afghanistan,” the White House, 2021. Accessed November 2, 2023, https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2021/08/31/remarks-by-president-biden-on-the-end-of-the-war-in-afghanistan/?utm_source=link.
30 “The U.S. War in Afghanistan.”
31 Howard Altman and Chip Osowski, “Comrades Mourned,” Tampa Tribune, July 19, 2012, 16 (accessed August 25, 2023).
32 “Soldier.”
33 “Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Casualties,” Fold3; “Honor the Fallen: Army Staff Sgt. Ricardo Seija,” Military Times, 2018, accessed July 30, 2023.
34 “Soldiers of the 978th Military Police Company,” NARA & DVIDS Public Domain Archive, 2021 (accessed February 21, 2024), https://nara.getarchive.net/media/soldiers-of-the-978th-military-police-company-soldiers-ed05cb.
35 “Honor the Fallen: Army Staff Sgt. Ricardo Seija,” Military Times.
36 “Ricardo Seija,” Iraq/Afghanistan War Heroes.
37 Kathleen Flynn, “Preparing for a Final Salute,” Tampa Bay Times, July 18, 2012, A1 (accessed August 25, 2023).
38 “Comrades Mourned.”
39 Caitlin Johnston and Marissa Lang, “Procession Honors Fallen Soldier,” Tampa Bay Times, July 18, 2012, B8 (accessed August 25, 2023).
40 “Ceremonies Planned for Slain Soldiers,” Tampa Tribune, July 17, 2012, 15 (accessed August 25, 2023); “Processions Pay Respect to Soldiers,” Tampa Bay Times, July 16, 2012, B3 (accessed August 25, 2023); “Processions Pay Respect to Soldiers,” B8.
41 “Honor the Fallen: Army Staff Sgt. Ricardo Seija,” Military Times.
42 “U.S., Veterans’ Gravesites, ca. 1775-2019,” database, Fold3 (fold3.com: accessed July 30, 2023), entry for Ricardo Seija; UCF Veterans Legacy Program, Headstone for Ricardo Seija, photograph, 2023, Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL.
43 “SSGT Ricardo Seija,” FindAGrave, July 10, 2012 (accessed July 30, 2023); “Ricardo Seija,” Dignity Memorial, July 10, 2012 (accessed July 30, 2023); “Ricardo Seija,” Dignity Memorial, July 10, 2012 (accessed July 30, 2023); “Ricardo Seija Obituary,” Legacy, July 18, 2012 (accessed July 30, 2023).
44 U.S Representative Kathy Castor, “Honoring Staff Sergeant Ricardo Seija,” uploaded on July 17, 2012, YouTube video, 01:24.
45 Master Sgt. Kap Kim, “Deployed MPs Honor Fallen Comrades with Run,” US Army, July 17, 2014 (accessed July 30, 2023).
46 “In Memoriam: In Loving Memory of SSG Ricky Seija MP May 21, 1981-July 8, 2012,” Tampa Tribune, July 8, 2013, 25 (accessed August 25, 2023).
47 “Six Fort Bliss Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan Honored at Memorial,” ABC7 KVIA; Oak Leaf Clusters are used to represent that the given individual has received an award more than once.
48 UCF Veterans Legacy Program, Headstone for Ricardo Seija, photograph, 2023, Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL.
49 Wyatt Stabler and Ireland Summers, “978th Military Police Co receives Major General Harry H Bandholtz Award,” Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, July 14th, 2022. Accessed February 21, 2024.
50 “In Memoriam: In Loving Memory of SSG Ricky Seija MP May 21, 1981-July 8, 2012,” Tampa Tribune.
51 “Clarence Williams III,” Iraq/Afghanistan War Heroes, accessed February 21, 2024.
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