He was so proud of the military. He was always singing the Marine Corps hymn.
    — Lidia Perez, sister and Navy veteran

    Perez, whose father was from Guatamala, dreamed as a child of becoming an American soldier. His older brother had planned to join after high school but was shot to death by a suspected gang member in 1997.
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    Seven memories of Geoffrey Perez

    His family was very proud of him. He always looked after his little sisters, Cintya and Alba.

    — Vergara Family
    June 6, 2008 at 9:13 p.m.

    My son served with Geoffrey and was with him the day he died. As they were both from Los Angeles, they became great friends. Geoffrey relieved my son from a check point so he could get some rest. As he was lying in bed, he heard the explosion. A suicide bomber ran the check point. My son and I mourn his loss everyday. My son always says, "It should have been me." God Bless you PFC Geoffrey Perez. Both of you should have made it home.

    — Tina Richards
    May 15, 2009 at 10:06 a.m.

    He was the HAPPIEST MAN ON EARTH, happy to be the father of his last and only son J.J. All is lost but never forgotten. We love you Geoffrey and Rudy!

    — Cintya and Alba
    August 24, 2010 at 10:24 p.m.

    As Geoffrey's middle school U.S. History teacher in the eighth grade, I can say with confidence that Geoffrey enjoyed the school experience in every educational respect...not every child get's the most out of school..he did. And he did it with a sincere smile.

    If I seemed tough and demanding in class, at times Geoffrey, it was because I knew that life was inconceivable tougher...

    — David Frost
    March 8, 2011 at 9:29 p.m.

    Geoffrey and Rudy where some of the greatest friends one can ask for. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of them. Even though is has been years since they have now made that journey they are still very much part of our lives. The memory of them is forever in our hearts. They carried greats smiles, great vibes and amazing personalities. Thank you for your friendship and love for all those years. You are missed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

    — XGO
    March 16, 2011 at 9:29 p.m.

    I miss you more than I can express in words. I still have all the memories of the good times, and i charish those.

    — SSgt Murphy E.G.
    June 9, 2011 at 7:03 p.m.

    I escorted Geoffrey home when he was killed. His family are wonderful people and after spending time with them in Los Angeles and Guatemala, I felt as if I knew Geoffrey myself. I will never forget his memory.

    — SSgt Kenneth Dull
    September 24, 2011 at 12:18 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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