California’s War Dead

    Juan de Dios Garcia-Arana

    Juan de Dios Garcia-Arana, 27

    Army, Staff Sergeant
    Khaldiya (near Fallouja), Iraq
    Gender: Male
    Hometown: Los Angeles
    Foreign Country of Birth: Mexico
    You would never find that guy sad or depressed. He was one of the most joyful guys around.
    — Edgardo Garcia, brother

    Garcia-Arana was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and moved to Los Angeles in 1993. His younger brother Edgardo followed him into the military and came home from Kuwait on emergency leave when he was killed.
    Times obituary
    « Stephen P. Saxton, 05/03/2005
    Timothy Craig Kiser, 04/28/2005 »
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    Seven memories of Juan de Dios Garcia-Arana

    I KNEW JUAN FROM HIGH SCHOOL. HE WAS A VERY GOOD FRIEND. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER JUAN AS A FIGHTER. ALWAYS WANTED THE BEST FOR HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY. REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND...

    — JOSE DOMINGUEZ
    May 29, 2008 at 10:11 a.m.
    Permalink

    Am so sorry for your lost.
    it hurts me so much to see my latinos being killed , over a worthless war, but even thought i have my issues with the war thank you for serving america.
    My prayers are with you and all our soldiers. viva la RAZA!

    — JImmy
    November 17, 2009 at 9:11 p.m.
    Permalink

    Man i miss you bro, you always were so humble and full of positive energy fam. You always had that serious look on your face,when walking to the motorpool, and you cared about people.Society needs more people like you and I miss that about you . To the family ya'll don't know me but if ya'll need anything let me know. My prayers goes out to ya'll. Garcia you are truly miss and will always have a place in my heart bro thanks for serving America. Love you bro. To the family ya'll raised a respectful and a very honorable young man,here's my email address if ya'll ever need anything chicopeterson@yahoo.com
    Peace& God Bless

    — Chico Peterson
    May 31, 2010 at 6:36 a.m.
    Permalink

    so, its been awhile now bro...but time doesnt move w out memories of you, me,joe and the rest of our crew... you were always the life of our group, always ready to lift everyones spirits...tooooo many good stories and memories to put here, but just know that you are STILL, and FOREVER missed...

    — dirty gringo
    August 27, 2011 at 6:22 a.m.
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    Thank You.

    — Dulce Pabon
    January 8, 2012 at 8:55 p.m.
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    Sgt Garcia was one of my best gunners during his time at 2/2FA Fort Sill OK. He learned and trained harder than anyone in the unit. We served in the same brigade in Korea and I remember how excited he was to change his job and how he spoke amirably about his new wife. It hurts my heart to lose him. He represented the Army and LA well. GOD bless his family. You grew such an exceptional Man.....
    SFC Cornell Braud
    LA HIGH CLASS OF 1985

    — SFC Cornell Braud
    April 28, 2012 at 10:58 p.m.
    Permalink

    If any of you that have posted comments on this page have a personal anecdote or just memories to share about my brother please contact on my email.

    — Edgardo D. Garcia
    May 11, 2012 at 11:38 p.m.
    Permalink

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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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