Atanacio Haro Marin Jr., 27

It was saddening to know that I had found a long lost relative, but at the same time find out he died defending our country.

Nacho was a friend of mine at Lincoln High, we hung out together at lunch with a group of us that were in marching band. I found out about his passing some time after it happened, and I was very sad to hear the news. He was a very funny guy with a great sense of humor.

Our family lived houses apart from the Haro family in Lincoln Heights. My brother ("Pepe") ran around the neighorhood with Nacho and other kids their age. I remember Nacho being a great, good hearted young man. I heard about Nacho's passing soon after it happened and was very saddened by the news. Even now, 5 years later, I can't believe or understand how such a tragedy happened and what great loss this was for the Haro family. To Nacho and all the servicemen/women who did not make it home: THANK YOU ALL SOOOOO VERY MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DID AND GAVE FOR ALL OF US, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.

My primo was a kid at heart, but a very honorable and responsible man. If you knew him like I did, then you would understand why I miss him so much. Nacho loved to have family gatherings at his home, so each time he came home everyone would go over to his home to have a family gathering including those family friends and neighbors. Each time he left, he would go to everyone's homes to say goodbye. The last time he was at our home, I refused to say goodbye to him because I thought that if I refused, he would have to come back home. But to my deep regret, he never did. So to this very day when I talk about Nacho, I shed tears of pain and sorrow, I love him and I miss him very much.

I remember Nacho when we were kids playing baseball on Hancock Street in Lincoln Heights in the 80's. About 15 years later, he was on leave from the army and I had the opportunity to speak to him while he was visiting his friends Manuel,Nelson and "Tower". He talked about his time on the grenade range, chucking grenades dropped from the hands of nervous recruits. He had come a long way and I was proud to call him a fellow veteran. I was saddened to hear about his passing but I'm proud that a post office bears his name.

I called him simply Haro . I met him in the gaurd ,he was a good honest kid when I met him . When I heard his name that fateful morning I knew in my heart I new this person.Later on at work my nephew came to my work to share the bad news and when I seen my nephew I was sure of who it was. It was saddening to me cause he was so young ,and he always asked me so many questions about my tour in the gulf.One day in the gaurd the capt. asked if anybody could land a chopper to pick us up for advanced party .I said yes we landed a chopper and he got to ride with me ,he said thank you Delgado this was his first time ever in a chopper.I sometimes wish Id have never landed that chopper,cause after that day he always spoke about it ,its hard to explain the pain when you see people go this way.I was told Delgado when advance party leaves ,when we were in the gaurd ,Haro is next to you always,and i kept him there by my side always when it was time. Wish I couldve been there when he did his tour.Its strange how we grieve for fallen commrades ,I hope you all know ,he is with God now .He couldnt be anywhere else he was a very humble kid and very honest .Airborne In His Heart .DELGADO