KAILUA-KONA — It’s about the guy next to you.
That summation of military life, of duty, of camaraderie belongs to U.S. Army Capt. Matthew Talley. He invoked the sentiment when describing his friend and fellow serviceman, Sgt. 1st Class Reymund Transfiguracion, a vigilant protector of the men next to him up until the very moment he laid down his life for them.
“He saved my life many times. He saved a lot of people’s lives. I think that’s something important to know,” said Staff Sgt. Tom Smith. “I’m standing here today because of Rey. And there are other people who get to be home with their families because of the actions of Rey.”
Transfiguracion died serving his country on Aug. 12, succumbing to wounds from a roadside IED in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was 36 years old.
It was a standing-room only affair Thursday night at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Cultural Hall in Kailua-Kona as hundreds of family members, friends and brothers in arms packed the venue to celebrate the fallen solider’s life and honor his sacrifice.
To remember the guy next to them.
“When I think of Rey, I just smile,” Talley said. “He always took care of us. He was that kind of person.”
A family man
Hymnals played softly under the echoes of choked sobs as a line of mourners moved slowly by an open casket, many wiping tears from their eyes as they payed final respects to a man who wasn’t just a soldier, but also a father, a husband, a brother and a son.
But the mood and the volume climbed as the evening wore on. People ate and exchanged stories of a man stolid and stern at first glance, but renowned for his sense of humor by those who knew him well.
Transfiguracion’s internal nature shown through in a slide show set to music — his arms wrapped around his wife, Edelyn, or holding his children, Ella and Rylan, on his shoulders with a smile that seemed stuck to his face.
Remembering him aloud, his friends and family from across the world painted pictures of a competitive, humble and forgiving man who loved to dive, paddle and fish.
Transfiguracion was a teacher. He taught his younger brother Rey Ian, who eulogized him Thursday, how to ride a bike at the age of 5 by pushing him down a hill and telling him to peddle. But it was also Transfiguracion’s hand that pulled Rey Ian up from the bushes he’d crashed into and nudged him to try again.
He also taught Rey Ian to wrestle. The family was renowned for its athletic prowess on the wrestling team at Konawaena High School, from which Transfiguracion graduated in 2001. Despite being considerably lighter, Rey Ian said his brother would beat on him from the time they were kids. When he asked his brother why, Transfiguracion would tell him that’s the only way he’d learn.
Even when it didn’t seem that way, Transfiguracion was always about the guy next to him.
“He was a good brother, a better (person) than me,” Rey Ian said. “Honestly, he is one of the strongest and most courageous people I know.”
And Transfiguracion was a teacher as a father, Rey Ian added. He taught his children respect, how to be helpful to their mother. He taught them to ties their shoes and how to make pancakes, which they’d do for their mom when Transfiguracion was deployed.
“His kids are very respectful,” Rey Ian said. “They listen to their parents. When kids do that, it shows parents are teaching them discipline and respect.”
Made for the job
Gene Esteron was Transfiguracion’s neighbor in Waikoloa, but he’d known him long before the two moved in next door.
Esteron worked as a recruiter for the Army National Guard at Konawaena High School back in the early 2000s, although when it came to Transfiguracion and the notion of serving his country, persuasion was hardly needed.
“He was one of the guys that basically I didn’t have to recruit,” Esteron said. “He pursued me to get into the military.”
Transfiguracion started in the National Guard right out of high school as an Infantryman. He transferred to active duty in 2008 and volunteered for Special Forces, earning his Green Beret. He was deployed in both Iraq and Afghanistan during his near two decades of service.
And Rey Ian said Transfiguracion had just re-enlisted, adding he had aspirations to train prospective Green Berets in the future.
“Being a solider I think was really what he wanted to do in life. He was fit for this job,” Rey Ian said. “He did what he did for his family, for us and for his country. I think deep inside, he wanted to make us all proud.”
Transfiguracion inspired more than pride. His devotion and talent also garnered respect from Talley, who served as his Detachment Commander for two years.
“He was the hardest working guy on our team,” Talley said. “He had so many skills. It was insane the amount of stuff Rey knew how to do because he had so much experience.”
Born in the Philippines, Transfiguracion’s passion for his work also instilled a deep admiration and respect for service among his family, his aunt Eden explained.
“Although we are just immigrants, we have come to love this country with all our hearts,” Eden said through tears. “For Reymund, we are eternally grateful.”
Saying goodbye
Transfiguracion’s official funeral service is today at St. Michael of the Archangel Church in Kailua-Kona. Viewing will take place from 8:15-9:45 a.m. with a mass at 10 a.m.
Following the service, there will be a procession to West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery, where Transfiguracion will be interred. Kona police officers plan to stand in formation on Queen Kaahumanu Highway in front of the Kona Police Station at around 11 a.m. to pay their respects as the motorcade passes by.
“I’m going to miss him for the rest of my life,” Rey Ian said of the mentor he lost. The man he said pushed him to be a better person. The brother who will always be the guy next to him, even though he’s gone.