MAJ. Gen. Benny M. Paulino, adjutant general of the Guam Guard, has issued a statement on the recent death of a Guam soldier, calling the incident a tragic and painful event for the entire Guam National Guard family.
He said the Guam National Guard stands ready to assist the family of the soldier who reportedly shot himself earlier this week at the GUNG Readiness Center in Radio Barrigada.
Guard officials are not releasing the name of the soldier. However, friends and family have identified him as Master Sgt. Fernando Diaz, of Maina.
“Our hearts go out to the family of our soldier. The Guam Guard's full resources have been made available to the soldier's family,” Paulino said. “I have directed our key leaders to initiate all our protocols to ensure that every soldier, airman, civilian and dependent in our Guam Guard family is afforded whatever is necessary to help them get beyond this tragedy.”
Paulino also wants to assure the community that the Guam National Guard leadership is focused on continually providing the training and resources to strengthen soldier, airman and family resiliency, which is critical to maintaining comprehensive soldier and family fitness.
