Pablo Manzano Jr., Army, Private 1st Class -- Rest In Peace

Pablo Manzano Jr., 19

Army, Private 1st Class
Based: Bamberg, Germany
B Company, 54th Engineer Battalion, V Corps
Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom
Died: August 25, 2003
Baghdad (15 mi. south), Iraq
Single
Gender: Male
Hometown: Heber
High School: Southwest High (El Centro)

I had Pablo in class for a year (his senior year) and he was also a student in my husband's class. He was the calmest, friendliest, sweetest kid. He wasn't the type to lean towards violence or anger. He had sooooo many friends in his class and not an enemy in the world. I was devastated when I heard of his death because this loss could have been prevented. I remember sitting around with him after school and trying to get him concert tickets, his cool presentation about medieval medical practices and trying to keep him quiet in class. He'd always say, "But they're talking to me! I can't just ignore them!" I would tell him to try not to be so popular and he would laugh. I can't believe he's gone.
— Carmelle Kuehn

November 18, 2009 at 11:03 a.m.

Army Pfc. Pablo Manzano, 19, of Heber, Calif.; assigned to B Company, 54th Engineer Battalion, V Corps, Bamberg, Germany; died Aug. 25 of a non-combat weapons discharge in Logistical Support Area Dogwood, Iraq.

From the Iraq Page:

The Imperial County Courthouse lowered their flag to half staff to honor Pablo Manzano Jr., a local army serviceman from Heber, California who was killed while serving in Iraq.
Pablo Manzano Jr. is the second serviceman to be killed from the Imperial Valley. Eric Silva, from Holtville, was killed while serving in Iraq earlier this year.
County Board of Supervisors Hank Kuiper, presided over the flag ceremony.
Manzano family members were present to pay tribute to the young man they loved and will miss greatly. They say Manzano was a bright young man who best known for his smile.
Pablo was a graduate from South West high school in El Centro. His family members tell us that he loved to play basketball and guitar.
Kuiper said "In a small town we feel the loss deep in our hearts."
Pablo Manzano Jr., a son, a bother, a friend, one of our own gone at 19.
Memorial services for Pablo Manzano Jr. will be held next week.
A Rosary will be held on Tuesday, September 2, from 6-9 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in El Centro.
Funeral services will held on Wednesday, September 3, at 9am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and the burial will immediately follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Calexico.

City unveils Pablo Manzano Jr. Field.