Shreveport/Bossier brought home one of their own today as SSgt Michael Garcia's body arrived at Shreveport Regional Airport this morning from Dover AFB.Airline Drive was lined with people holding flags as Garcia's body was escorted to Boone Funeral Home by Patriot Guard Riders.
Michael Garcia graduated from Bossier High School in 2001, the semester before I got there. He was a popular kid at school and well thought of by his teachers and administrators. Steve was there when Michael was and remembers him fondly.
SSgt Garcia was killed in Afghanistan on July 4 as an IED exploded near his unit in Logar province.
A roundup of coverage:
The Shreveport Times:
He served with the 705th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, which supported the 2/4 Infantry Battalion’s Task Force Warrior, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. He was on his third war deployment and had been due back in the fall.Garcia was the recipient of three Purple Hearts, the last posthumously, and had been awarded the Bronze Star twice, once with a combat “V” for valor.
Bossier Press:
A Bossier City soldier was killed in Afghanistan Monday. According to the Department of Defense, Staff Sgt. Michael J. Garcia, 27, died July 4 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 63rd Ordnance Battalion, 52nd Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), 20th Support Command (CBRNE), Fort Polk.KSLA News:
The Patriot Guard Riders have announced that they will be escorting the body of fallen soldier Staff Sergeant Michael Garcia. His body will arrive home to the TAC Air terminal Monday morning. Garcia was killed in action while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Garcia will be escorted by the riders from the airport who will be taking the I-220 route to Boone Funeral Home on Airline Drive.
There's also a slide show at the KSLA link.
KTBS News has video.
Friends and family remember Garcia. (Shreveport Times).
RIP Michael Garcia Facebook page.
My Bossier blog.
Shreveport Times photo gallery.
Thanks for the update, Pat.
ReplyDeleteI went to school with Mike. I was 2 years ahead of him. I can still picture him in his JROTC uniform.
ReplyDeleteThe same goes for another Bearkat KIA in Iraq, PFC Josh Burrows E Co, 1-8 Cavalry, 2BCT, 1ST Cav Division. I knew Josh, also. To this day, I wear a black memorial band/bracelet with his name, rank, platoon info and dates.
Lest we not forget Bearkat Matthew Ryan Tewell, who died around March 26, 2014 in Bossier. Matt was an Iraq Veteran of the US Army battling each and every day that he was home, from what I understand. He finally got tired of fighting.
More than 20 soldiers take there own lives each day from the effects of PTSD and their combat experiences.
May they all Rest in Eternal Peace.
Not to take anything away from what you wrote about Michael. I apologize sincerely if that's how this came across.