She loved being in the Army. The only thing that was hard for her was being away from her kids.
    — Monica Brooks, friend

    Gonzalez O’Malley, died Oct. 22 at a hospital in Hamburg, Germany, after experiencing a brain aneurysm Oct. 12 at Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. Military officials said she joined the Army in 2002 and worked as noncommissioned officer in communications.
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    21 memories of Aracely Gonzalez-O'Malley

    Her smile and laugh were always Contiguous.

    — Jenny
    October 27, 2010 at 8:14 a.m.

    Our sincere condolences to Aracely’s family

    — BUHS Class of 1998
    October 28, 2010 at 8:51 a.m.

    She was full of life and was always the life of the party. I will miss her contageous laugh and beautiful smile. R.I.P. Aracely

    — Yethel
    October 28, 2010 at 2:50 p.m.

    Her smile will forever be missed! She had a great sense of humor and personality that I will miss.

    — Veronica Lopez
    October 28, 2010 at 3:49 p.m.

    I don't want to cry anymore.

    — Mr. Shapiro
    October 30, 2010 at 12:56 p.m.

    To The O'Malley Family: I would like to offer my condolence. I am very sorry about your love one. It's so sad, that all of mankind can not get along. This is not what the great Creator Almighty God Purposed for us. We were to live in harmony with one another forever. One day His Purpose will be forfilled. We can read in Revelation 21:3,4 how He will d0 away with sickness and dying. These are some wonderful blessings. I'm sure you will agree. May the God of comfort be with you.

    — Muriel Mahan
    October 30, 2010 at 2:47 p.m.

    Ara you have left me with some great memories. I miss you so much. You will always be in my heart.

    BUHS CLASS OF "97"

    — Christina L
    November 1, 2010 at 4:06 p.m.

    Aracely

    "Rest in Peace" You have done this nation proud, and we will take over your watch for you. God Bless.

    — Joe Vigueras
    November 4, 2010 at 10:19 a.m.

    May you rest in Peace with your Heavenly Father. God knows better than us, what is the best for us. We may not understand why this tragedy happened. But we do know that God sees and knows everything and nothing happens without his knowledge. His eyes are always open and his heart ready to give comfort and peace. Rest in Peace. Carmen (neice)

    — Maria Del Carmen Toledo
    November 8, 2010 at 9:11 p.m.

    I miss you tons Amiga! Thank you for always being a true friend. Because of you we have MJ! I love you and will always keep your memory alive. We had some great times together. Till I see you again....

    — Monica Brooks
    November 9, 2010 at 3:54 p.m.

    On this Veteran's Day there are no words that can express the sorrow I feel for this and other families who must endure this type of pain. We should not question death, but we can the timing. May God bless this family with both the wisdom and strength to overcome this ordeal. Respectfully,,,,

    — Captain Ruben De La Torre, LAPD
    November 11, 2010 at 8:55 a.m.

    You are my truest friend Aracely. I miss you dearly and it hurts to my soul that you are gone. But I know that you would not want it that way, and therefore, Marie and I are celebrating you every way we can. And will continue to do so until we are all back together again causing chaos. Love you and miss you forever my BFF.

    — Veronica Ryan
    November 16, 2010 at 11:15 a.m.

    may god bless you and youre family . One day we will all be there with family and relatives , rest in peace.

    — ricardo quijada
    November 17, 2010 at 9:02 p.m.

    I live in Brawley and am saddened at the passing of this American Hero. She made Brawley proud!

    — Jim Corriere
    November 22, 2010 at 4:45 a.m.

    aracely you are my hero.

    — mario m.garcia
    November 22, 2010 at 4:11 p.m.

    We've shared so many great memories that will never be forgotten!

    — Kelly Dean
    December 15, 2010 at 12:08 p.m.

    RIP Aracely...God is taking care of your kids & wants you to rest in peace. I met you just once & you were busy making arragements for your kids to relocate and live with your mom in Yuma (right before your deployment). I admired your brave heart to leave your little ones to serve our country.

    — Evelia
    December 16, 2010 at 4:03 p.m.

    My sister really lived life to it's fullest. She was strong, passionate, and very loving. So many ways to describe her. So many wonderful memories. She left us with some wonderful gift. Rest and we will see you soon.

    — Santiago Gonzalez
    February 6, 2011 at 9:48 p.m.

    I thought I saw you in the twilight.
    Do you know that your laughter still echoes in the trees.
    I walked with you before
    I walked and walked and longed for more.
    It will not matter how I left
    Because I know for myself that I did my best.
    So as you lay me down to rest
    Don't cry and ask why
    Love each other
    Just as a child clings to his mother
    I too prayed for you
    And so as morning comes
    I wish I could be with you
    But I traveled on
    Starlight, starbright you are so beautiful
    But how I would hasten my stay
    to watch the sun rise just for one more day.

    RIP all who have moved on.

    — Francisco
    July 22, 2011 at 12:05 a.m.

    Song 111
    He Will Call
    (Job 14:13-15)
    1. Life, like a mist, appears for just a day,
    Then disappears tomorrow.
    All that we are can quickly fade away,
    Replaced with tears and sorrow.
    If a man should die, can he live again?
    Hear the promise God has made:
    (Chorus)
    2. Friends of our God, though they may pass away,
    Will never be forsaken.
    All those asleep who in God’s mem’ry stay,
    From death he will awaken.
    Then we’ll come to see all that life can be:
    Paradise eternally.
    (CHORUS)
    He will call; The dead will answer.
    They shall live at his command.
    For he will have a longing
    For the work of his own hand.
    So have faith, and do not wonder,
    For our God can make us stand.
    And we shall live forever,
    As the work of his own hand.
    (See also John 6:40; 11:11, 43; Jas. 4:14.)

    — Tonni
    August 9, 2011 at 9:49 a.m.

    I do not know Arecely but my cousin Hannah Gunterman is on this list. To lose these women who are brave enough to leave their children and serve their country is harder than anything. No one can understand the type of ultimate sacrifice they make, and I just want to say thank you. I hope that her family is finding peace and her children are safe and are reminded of their mother often.

    — Annie
    April 25, 2012 at 8:19 p.m.

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    California's War Dead is the Los Angeles Times' collection of stories about the 700 California servicemembers and 474 others based in California who died during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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