In the early 90’s I served with Allen Mosteiro in the scout platoon from 1/8 CAV, 1st Cavalry Division. We were roommates and party mates and served together for three years. Our platoon was called the Ghostriders and as a platoon we worked hard and played hard. My three years there from 92-95 were some of my best years in the army and I have stayed in contact with many of my brothers in the Ghostriders since, both those who stayed in the Army and those who got out.
Mosteiro was one of those who stayed in. We did not serve together again but I did run into him a few times over the coming years. In 2007 while serving as a Platoon Sergeant in 1/7 Cav he was killed in Taji, Iraq by a sniper. The word quickly went out to our fellow Ghostriders. He was buried in the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery just outside of Killeen, Texas. I happened to be stationed at Forth Hood at the time and could go to the funeral as a representative of his old platoon, the Ghostriders.
Last year, I discovered the National Armor and Cavalry Heritage Museum was conducting a fundraiser to help defray the costs of building their new museum and selling memorial pavers. I quickly contacted all my old Ghostrider brothers to float the idea of buying one for Allen. It was not a question and we all came together and purchased one. Last week, I got the miniature paver in the mail to show what the full-size paver will look like.
Allen is not forgotten by his former comrades and will always remain our brother.