Alfonso Ochoa Jr., 20

Alfonso Ochoa was proud for deffending our country. He only had 10 more days to come home, but God had another plan. He is truely an American hero to our family and we will never forget him. Alfonso loved family gatherings. He was always respectfull and loving to everyone around him. We will miss you. May our Father welcome you home.

I played soccer with alfonso in high school great goalie, even better person always had our team pumped an going no matter what he was great... had lots of great times with him not only on the field but off he was a great friend he was always there when u needed him... we will always miss u alfonso R.I.P. Forever in our hearts....

Alfonso was a close and dear friend, he was always happy and outgoing. He always talked to me about joining the Marines, telling me it's all he ever dreamed of. He was such a caring individual, who would give you the shirt off his back. He leaves behind his wife Angie, and family. He will truly be missed. We all miss you Brother. Semper Fatres "Always Brothers"

Tout mon respect pour cet homme qui sait battu pour la paix dans le monde. Dans cette difficile épreuve, je vous assure de mon amitié et vous envoie toute mon affection.

Dear Family of Hero, Marine Lance Corporal Alfonso Ochoa Jr.:
Our deepest sympathies are with you today as we remember Alfonso for his bravery and commitment in serving the United State of America; defending our freedoms and that of other nations. We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice he and your family have made!
Love and prayers,
Rebecca Wilson
Honor Quilt Ministry
Northside Christian Church, Clovis Ca

Alfonso is my hero. I never would of thought this could happen to me. He was a great leader in almost everything and i was confident in him. Alfonso was very competitive. He liked to win and he didn't really brag. I looked up to him ever since i could reason out what life was. He showed me the ropes to life, and thanks to him im a better person - Eve Mendoza

Our son served with your son in Afghanistan. When we were told of his passing we were deeply saddened. Please accept our heartfelt condolences. Though we never met your son, our family loves him for serving our country, sharing his life and being a friend to our son and giving his life for his country. May God help you find comfort during this hard time.

I did not know Alfonso, but wanted to offer our families condolences to Alfonso's family and the families of all those that have lost their loved ones. They have given their lives so that we may have the lives we have. May God Bless them all.

With respect,
Jerry Kritzman

Our son has arrived safely home after 2 deployments to Iraq and 1 to Afghanistan with the 2/3. I will never forget Alfonso's sacrifice for our great country. Alfonso and his family will remain in our prayers forever.

I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER MY FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARDEN WITH ALFONSO. I GREW UP WITH HIM ALL THE WAY THRU HIGHSCHOOL. i COULD ALWAYS COUNT ON HIM FOR ADVICE HE WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR ME. I REM THE DAY HE GRAD FROM THE MARINES MY FAMILY AND MYSELF WERE SO PROUD OF HIM. ALFONSO YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART AND I LOVE YOU COUSIN.

in this world we have evil. we can not let evil overtake us. that is why your son sacrificed himself to overtake this
evil. he did not die in vain. thank god for your son.

I remember going to Riverdale gathering; laughing and joking. I remember my brothers wedding, I was so close on catching the wedding band but you jumped that little extra. =] It is true if you catch the wedding band; your the next to get married.I visited my ninos Ramona and Alfonso theres no way to describe them right now. Bro we miss you. May you rest in peace.

Mi mas sentido pesame, que dios les de paz y la pronta resignación, aun en la lejanía siempre elevamos una oración porque su camino este iluminado.

Dear Ochoa Family-
I am sitting here in tears at the loss of your beloved son. My son LCpl Alex Minsky was one of the first to be critically injured from the 2/3, June 1st, when they first deployed. He is recovering and I am thankful. I can never say that I can imagine how you feel, because I can not, even watching my son at deaths door. After spending these past months in many military hospitals and with marines. I KNOW his brothers will NEVER forget him, and we shall not either. I will pray for your families strength and thank your family for your sons desire to be a marine. I was there when they graduated, as they went to boot camp together. We honor your sons service.
Jackie Minsky
Orange County, Ca

To Alfonso's family and friends

This is not easy for me to hear about or speak on, but I too am deeply saddened for your loss. It will be 5 years on the 30th when I lost my son in Iraq. He too was a MARINE stationed in Hawaii...and was only 20 years old. The hurt and loss will never go away, but you need to come to the understasnding that the Lord wanted your Marine in Heaven with him to serve a much greater calling...a calling that we will not fully understand until we see our loved one again. I was sad to hear that the funeral service is today 10/22 I would have loved to attend. I would love to speak to you and meet with you if you'd like. I live in Hanford and teach school in Armona where I understand Alfonso went to school. Please know that I will pray you all find the strength to get through this time and please call me anytime day or night if I can help you. Siempre Fi

dear alfonso,
i wish i could"ve met you ,i met your father and he is a great man therefore i know you were. we spoke alot about you and through him i could tell you were also a wonderful solider . i never got to say hello but you had my husband and i at goodbye . we love you very much and will see you soon dont party to hard and tell god i said hello =)
sincerly nini

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Ochoa and family,

There are no words that can possibly ease your pain and feelings of loss. Alfonso impacted many and will be remembered, not just as a Brave and Honorable man, who was committed to his duty; but, as a close and trusted friend and man who was very giving and caring for all of his friends.

My step son was Alfonso's room mate in Hawaii. Alfonso, our son and three other Marines became very close friends. While our son became a member of Golf 2/3 and was deployed at Now Zad and Dahaneh, in Helmand province, Alfonso and the other three became part of Echo and Fox.

The five friends, kept in touch and even other members of our family and Alfonso became friends and kept in touch on Facebook. His humor was infectious and his character beyond reproach, a loyal and wonderful friend for those fortunate enough to have the opportunity to know him.

My wife and I first learned of what happened to Alfonso via one of the close friends who was deployed with him. My wife informed our son by phone.

As I see other Marine families, reaching out to you, perhaps only another 2/3 and Marine families would understand what you have gone through during these past 6 months and especially now. Know that all Marine Families are here to support and stand with you.

It's been said that our grief and sadness serves as a testiment to the impact of his life and the honor of his character. As the 2/3 Marines are now headed back to Hawaii, his four Marine brothers and our families, also grieve Alfonso's loss.

There is no way to separate the young man from the Marine; nor, the Marine from the young man. They are forever joined and yet it is the young man, who served as a Marine that we all remember and we honor. Thank you for Alfonso and for the opportunty to know such fine young man. We are blessed and forever impacted because of him. We will hold Alfonso and you in our hearts.

Rob

Familia Ochoa.
I took some time for me to come here, and find a way to share my thoughts with you, especially since its a only been a few days since you said good bye to Alfonso. I'm a Staff Sergeant, and have served in the Marines since November 1992. I grew up in Lemoore, and Armona so hearing of a Marine passing from where i grew up hit home with me. I have a little 2 yrold girl, I cannot imagine , nor do I want to try to feel what your whole family is going thru, my heart is out to you. Always know that when Alfonso joined the Marines, your Family grew even more. Alfonso will forever be a Warrior whom fought, and served HIS country honorably...This November 10th the MArine Corps birthday, I will drink to him..

I did not know Alfonso, but I am in awe of him and other young men and women who sacrifice their lives to make the world a safer place. Their depth of goodness is very moving and inspiring. I am forever grateful. May God Bless Alfonso and your family!

My name is John. I was 2nd team leader in Ochoa's squad. I just wanted to say that nobody can appreciate what he's done more than I can. He was one of the best marines I've ever met. Always doing what he was told without question, and never complaining. Whenever he was on security while we were on a mission, I knew I would be able to rest easy.

The day he fell had made me numb to everything that had been going on since we had been there. It was such a shock, I couldn't react emotionally.

I thank him every day I'm here, because I have a newborn son. It could have been any of us in the back of the truck to dismount and sweep, but Ochoa jumped out first. It's painful to think about, but thanks to his sacrifice, my son will still have a father in this world.

I am deeply sorry for your loss. He was a very good man with a very good heart. He was dependable, and our squad loved him very much. Your family and He will always be in my prayers.

Thankyou for giving the world a man like him.

Alfonso, mi Hermano you will never be forgotten. It feels like it was just yesterday you had me talking to the recruiter out on 7th street. Even though you knew I wanted to go to the Army. It brought tears to my eyes to hear that you past away, It was only a month in since I started my deployment when I heard. We had great times in High School and JR High. Especially in Spanish class and being office TA's.

I will never forget you fonso, as my brother in arms and as my friend.

My most sincere condolences go to your family
Te quiero mi Hermano y con dios de vas.

Dont knw were to start but it brings me lots of memories from high school fonso I remember u as always getting me in trouble for ditching class or when I'll be wondering the hall ways you will always get me in trouble an tell me to get to class you will tell me not to go the wrong way I will tell u I dnt get the class u will answer me nothings impossible if u Listen And ask for help thank u for looking out for me my brothers will never tell me wat u would can't believe ur gone fonso so lucky u were part of my life and got to be ur friend may u rest in peace