Israel Garcia, Army Sergeant -- Rest In Peace

Israel Garcia, 24

Army, Sergeant
Based: Vicenza, Italy
2nd Battalion, 503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team
Supporting: Operation Enduring Freedom
Died: July 13, 2008
Wanat, Afghanistan
Married
Gender: Male
Hometown: Long Beach
High School: Polytechnic High (Long Beach)
Foreign Country of Birth: Mexico

Just set aside some time and go here to Israel Garcia's website.

Army Sergeant Israel Garcia is survived by his wife, Lesly Garcia; parents, Victor and Mari Cruz Garcia; brother, Ramsses, all pictured here; and many more family members and friends.

"He was going to return home in a few weeks and we had already booked reservations for a special vacation," Leslie Garcia said. "The last time we spoke on the telephone, he said, 'Babe, can you believe we're going to Spain?' "

*****

I was blessed enough to have the opportunity to coach Israel in soccer at Poly High School. He was a wonderful young man who knew what he wanted to do with his life. I remember how proud he was when he told me he would be entering the service, and that same pride he had when he visited with me on one of his leaves. My prayers go out to his family. Should we all be so fortunate to have know such a special person.
— Coach Cameron Beaulac
July 26, 2008 at 11:43 a.m.

More about Israel Garcia here and here.

Tad Trueblood
Honoring 'Heroes of Wanat'
On November 13, 2008, Tad Trueblood wrote an article about the battle in which Israel Garcia gave his life. Read it all here:

There are many lessons from what's now called the Battle of Wanat. Among them are the nature of our enemies in Afghanistan, and the urgent need for more U.S. troops and a better strategy there. But this week let's remember those 48 American warriors who repulsed a determined, well-planned assault by 200 to 300 enemy fighters.

And let's never forget those who paid the ultimate price to defend their brothers - and our liberty:

1st Lt. Jonathan P. Brostrom, 24, of Hawaii.

Sgt. Israel Garcia, 24, of Long Beach, Calif.

Spc. Jonathan R. Ayers, 24, of Snellville, Ga.

Spc. Jason M. Bogar, 25, of Seattle.

Spc. Jason D. Hovater, 24, of Clinton, Tenn.

Spc. Matthew B. Phillips, 27, of Jasper, Ga.

Spc. Pruitt A. Rainey, 22, of Haw River, N.C.

Spc. Gunnar W. Zwilling, 20, of Florissant, Mo.

Spc. Sergio S. Abad, 21, of Morganfield, Ky.