I feel so bad. He was the best brother.
    — Claudia Suarez, sister

    Suarez was a legal resident but not a U.S. citizen. His family moved from Tijuana so the young man could fulfill a dream of becoming a Marine. His father has become a vocal opponent of the war. "I speak against the system," said Suarez del Solar, 48. "But I support the troops."
     Permalink  Delicious  Digg  Facebook  Twitter

    Seven memories of Jesus Alberto Suarez del Solar

    I did not know Jesus personally, but I went to his memorial service at Camp Pendleton at the request of my son-in-law who was in the same Marine company as Jesus. I dont think there is a day that has gone by that I have not thought about Jesus and his family. It was a very sad day for my daughter and myself I can only wonder at the sadness the Suarez Del Solar family is still feeling. I always remember Jesus in my prayers and I pray for all the troops and their safe return home.

    — Sandra P.
    May 27, 2008 at 7:46 p.m.

    Jesus was in my PE class at San Pasqual. In Kit Carson Park, across the street from the high school, there is a nice memorial along the path near a small lake, apparently one of his (and my) favorite spots. Every time I run by there I tend it a little bit, and try to keep it looking nice. If you go by, I suggest you do the same.

    — Ben
    September 2, 2008 at 3 p.m.

    I served with Jesus at 1st LAR. it was a great honor and not a day goes by that i dont think about him. keep fighting the good fight brother! SEMPER FI!

    — Cpl. Jeffery L. Hansen
    June 15, 2009 at 4:38 p.m.

    I served with LCpl Suarez in 1st LAR in 2003.

    My main memory of him was when we were up in a border observation tower just 300m into Kuwait the day before we pushed into Iraq. He and another LAR scout were up in the tower with me taking turns manning the M82 sniper rifle.

    While we were bored and chatting, I mentioned to them how much this deployment would impress girls back in the USA. I remember how Suarez just smiled and said "I have a wife, sir."

    I have a pic from that afternoon, and later saw Suarez carried back to our lines for medical treatment just south of the Baghdad-Hillah interchange just south of Sumar. I was on the convoy that rushed to get him far enough behind the frontline to get him on medical helo. I only knew him briefly, but he seemed as good a LCpl as I could hope to meet.

    — Former Lt. B.
    November 11, 2009 at 3:02 p.m.

    Thanks for sharing all of your memories of Jesus. Someday soon, our son will read this and see what a great man his father was. Although it breaks my heart that Jesus is no longer with us, (for he was such a lovable and caring person), I know he is with God looking down at us from heaven.We miss him tremendously and forevermore will he be in our hearts. We love him then, we love him now, and we will love him always.

    — His Wife
    October 26, 2010 at 12:02 a.m.

    I don't know this soldiers as I'm just visiting the LA Times website. I thank him and his family for his dedication to our county. Thank you for keeping America free and protecting our beliefs. It's because heroes like you my very young daughter will be able to live freely in this wonderful country. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! RIP

    — Kevin Gregory
    January 24, 2011 at 5:39 p.m.

    I served with Jesus at Delta Company, 1st LAR during the OIF, we used to play pusoy (Filipino) poker while waiting for the orders, to cross the border, he was a good Marine who always have a smile on his face and loves to talk about his family during downtime.

    — HM2(FMF) Capistrano
    July 23, 2011 at 6:04 p.m.

    Share a memory of Jesus

    :
      Required
    :
      Optional
    :
    Email addresses are not republished or used for marketing purposes.
    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.

    Find a Profile

    Search a last name

    Select a name

    The complete list »
    About the Data Desk

    This page was created by the Data Desk, a team of reporters and Web developers at The Times.