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all his new brothers and sisters at Mount Loretto throughout his life. It's no surprise
that one who loved so much would make the ultimate sacrifice to help us enjoy the
life we live now. I knew Alex and Benny very well - before Mount Loretto we were
neighbors in the Bronx. We have lost a great individual and a great friend and
Brother. Thank you, Brother, friend, and fellow American ... I miss you and love
you.

From his best of friends,
Ray Rivera

Seeking Family and Friends of U.S. Army Soldier Killed In Vietnam
Thursday, June 03, 2004
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER

Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro has joined with his Bronx
counterpart, Adolfo Carrion Jr., to locate friends and family of Army Spc. 4
Alexander P. Santiago Jr., who was killed in Vietnam on June 5, 1969.

Santiago will be remembered Saturday at 1 p.m. in a ceremony commemorating
the 35th anniversary of his death, when a headstone in his honor is dedicated at
the Mount Loretto Cemetary. At one time, the deceased soldier resided at Mount
Loretto, Pleasant Plains. In the late 1950s, he lived at 596 Prospect Ave in the
Bronx, where he attended PS 62.

"When one of my staff noticed that Alex died in service to his country in Vietnam,
but had only a small ground-level plaque at his grave site, we decided to obtain a
proper headstone," Molinaro said in a statement.

An engraved headstone will be donated and installed by Vincent Scamardella of
Dignity Memorial Providers.

The memorial program is being run with assistance of the Mount Loretto Alumni
Association.

So far, only one person who knew Santiago from the Bronx has been reached - the
brother of a women he dated prior to going to Vietnam, Molinaro said.

Carrion noted that Santiago's twin brother, Benny, diedin the late 1970 in an
occupational accident, and another brother Tito, has yet to be located. A younger
brother, John, is believed to have moved out of state a few years ago.

"However, we are hopeful that perhaps some of Alex's extended family or friends
who may have known him growing up in the Bronx may remember him and be able
to attend the services, Carrion said.

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