Julio Vargas, 23

It's sad that special young heroes like you sacrifice so much. You and your brother have given so much. Thank you. Prayer for you and your family. It's going to take a lot prayer to heal this pain.

I have know Julio and his family for more than 15 years. Growing up in the bad areas of this city we nevertheless had hope for a better future. Sadly we didn't see each other the past few years since everyone was busy with school and work, however we always acknowledged each other when he came to visit. He was an awesome friend, brother, husband, and son. I am still saddened to know that there is still a war, and countless families are being affected. Nevertheless Julio was raised like no ordinary son. He was taught by wonderful parents the importance of education, responsibility, religion, and most importantly: love. He loved his family to the fullest and was always humble. I only hope the family can remember Julio for the many people he has touched, including mine. From playing as childhood friends to the goals we shared, Julio was a wonderful example to our community. We give our condolences to the family and friends, Julio will never be forgotten.

So sad. All these lives lost every day. God bless this family and may he get them thru these times. Support your troops and be thankful for all the little things we have, thanks to people like Julio, who sacrifice it ALL.

I have know Julio and his family for seven years and he and his family are first class. I am saddened for the loss of their son and I wish them all the prayers one can extend. Julio will forever be missed.

Julio was a great example to all of us.
Eagle Scout, Returned Missionary, great friend, husband and hero. He will always be remembered with a smiling face and as a really nice person. We will miss you Julio. Until We Meet Again.

I will miss you Julio. You have been a nice, great marine and cousin. I was shocked to hear about your death. I know we will see you again. Right now I get the feeling you're still here and it is because you are still there near us. I'm writing about what you tried to do--Marine sacrificed to the end. I love you, Julio and I will see you again when I die too. I know you're up there with Lala.

Its been a few days and still does not feel real, it feels like somehow ill still run into you outside my house and have a chat, i miss you my friend. However ill always have with the great memories we shared trough out the years. Especially when we were kids and lived down by San Fernando Rd. It was a privilege to have been able to call you my friend.
REV 21: 3-4

Julio and his brothers where a part of the San Fernando Police Explorer program. Julio graduated as Honor Recruit with the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Explorer Academy and served the highest rank as the explorer Lieutenant in charge. I praised him in life as a strong young man and in his passing. We are dedicating the next recruit class in his honor.

Our condolences to his family and friends. May Jehova give his family the resignation and peace that they need in this difficult and painful time. Rest in peace Julio.

I had the priviledge to know this exceptional youn man for 8 years as a bishop of the LDS Church. One of my best students in Early Morning Seminary program, well behaved. He had a deep love for God, his family, his friends, and his country. Once I asked my seminary students to put down their thoughts on how they see themselves in the future. Julio wrote that he will be in the Navy Seals or the Marines, that he will find a special person to marry, that he will be a police officer and study to become a lawyer, and then a judge. He returned with honor after serving for 2 years as full time missionary of the church and as a boy scout he lived the scout oath, " On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to help other people at all times, to keep myself physical strong, mentally awake and morally staight." We'll miss you Julio and may God bless your love ones!

Julio,

I had the honor of meeting you about five years ago. We related so much, you being a San Fernando Police Explorer, me an LAPD Explorer. You inspired me so much as i was a few years younger then you. Your ambition, faith, respect, you were a model citizen of the Lord. You truly believed in God and Country. Rest easy brother as you are now in the Lords Army. God Bless...you my old freind. I truly mourn your death.

I remember when you used to always tell me" STAY SYTRONG AND NEVER GIVE UP, IT WILL ONLY BE PAINFUL FOR A MINUTE, THEN IT WILL GO AWAY".. you alwyas stayed positive and always smiling at the world.I will never forget the days when we cruised around in chitos car:')... You will truly be missed. But one day we will meet again. May god have you in his glory and rest in peace.

Does Anyone any details of the funeral services for Julio.

Julio Vargas we went to Sylmar high together. I was joining at the same time you were brother. I joined and never heard anything or any news after i left, until Wednesday when my wife came into my garage and asked me if i knew a Julio Vargas. I replied yes why and that’s when i found out about the devastating news. You were a great and smart kid Julio, and an outstanding marine i bet. You died in combat defending your country keeping America, California, and Sylmar the 818 safe. I, LCP. Tony Velasquez will always remember you as a friend and as a brother Julio Vargas it was an honor to know you, may you rest at ease and in peace.

SEMPER FIDELIS!!!!!!!!!!!!
AND
ORAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

I never met Julio Vargas, but a friend of mine did. I may not have known him, but when you are from the community and same high school, instantly makes you a family. Thanks for fighting and protecting so many lives. You left this world as a hero to all of us in the community-your family. Rest in peace.

And to the family, God will give you strength during this difficult time.

Cpl Vargas, Although I never met you I have read everything posted about you. You served with my Wife's cousin at the SFPD when you were an Explorer. I am HONORED to have you as a brother. Thank you for your service and the ultimate sacrifice that you made for us. I pray for your family and for your loved ones and you will always be in my heart.

SEMPER FI MARINE!!!
I know you will be Guarding Heaven's Gates when we meet.

Sgt Vega OIF I
Dallas,TX

I am honored to have had the pleasure of meeting you in the Explorer Program. I remember how you would always pick on me in formation because I was always smiling, even when I was getting yelled at =)
You are lived through your family, and are seen through Augie- literally. Your mission here on earth may be complete, but your mission in protecting those who love you.. is not.
May God guide your family through these hard times, and may peace be with you.
You are truly missed...

My sister and I both had the privilege to work and have a friendship with Julio. Julio was a very strong and smart young man in which I genuinely admired. I will remember him with much love.

although i have never meet julio i send all my condolences to his family.my friend angel knew julio and it impacted him very very harsh ,so i hope his family gets better and i will pray for julio to have a safe trip to heavin..
SEMPER FI JULIO

"Born To Fight, Trained To Kill, Ready To Die, But Never Will". You my fellow Devil Dog, are among the IMMORTAL!!! It's my honor to have known you my brother in green. I remember being at Camp Whitsett with you guys, tagging along because there was no one other than my cousin Johnny Nelson that would go from the Arleta ward. Article I of the Military Code of Conduct States: I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life". You have demonstrated just that brother. I will never be anywhere close to the man nor Marine you are Cpl. Vargas. "Here's health to you and to our Corps which we are proud to serve; In many a strife we fought for life and never lost our nerve; If the Army and the Navy ever look on Heaven's scene: They will find the streets are guarded by UNITED STATES MARINES." Save me a place among the few, my brother. If I prove myself worthy one day in the eyes of God, we will meet again leather neck! . Hooraah DEVIL DOG! Love you Bro

Eras un niño Julio cuando te conocí junto a tus hermanos Ulisses y Agustin Jr.; hoy durante tu funeral te recordé igual de sonriente que cuando al lado de tu mamá y tu papá (los hermanos Vargas), venian a mi casa para alegrar a mi pequeña familia compuesta en ese entonces por mí y mi hija Tania. Hoy agradecí a tus padres y tus hermanos aquella alegría que quizá hasta hoy comprendí. Estoy muy orgullosa de ti y de haber sido aunque en un espacio pequeño, parte de tu vida.

I wish I got to meet him. Kept it together most of the funeral but I'm pretty sure the worst thing I've seen in my life was watching the marine kneel down to give the flag to his wife. I doubt I'll ever forget it.
R.I.P...

I did not had the chance to get to know you much, my heart was deeply sad to hear that sad news, I will always remember you as you walked down the hall of the church on Sundays with the white brightess shirt!.My heart goes to your loving wife, your sweet mother and father. I will keep you all in my prayers. Love. Hna.Rull

When I think of Julio, I see in my mind the little boy who was a member of the San Fernando Ward's Cub Scout troop. Troop 300. Julio was a sweet boy; bright, kind, eager to learn, and someone who truly had the light of of christ embeded in his whole being.
I am a Medic in C-Co 214th AVN Regt. I grew up with Julio, I am much older than he, but it is easy for me to say that he taught me more than any man,about being a christian, a son, a good person, than anyone I have ever met in the service. I will miss you bud. I know where you are is a great place, and I hope to one day be worthy enough to be there too.

That's crazy seems like yesterday we were all kids in the apartment I still can't believe it..but ur in a better place away from this wicked world...your gods son and he will always keep you.. miss you forever your childhood friend porshe

I have always been aware of the countless number of persons who have given there lives for our country,i didnt know this solider but i feel like i didnt need to,for he was a person who shared this world with others.people forget,but i dont.i pray for the families of the soliders,and i hope that their lives prosper and that the memories,make them smile.it will be the little things that made these persons special,and for me,i say 'thank you'for guarding my life ,that is so important to me.

As a fellow hometown hero....words cannot explain the mixed emotions that have occured. I am a fellow Marine born and rasised in Sylmar and veteran in the Iraq war. You will be missed and GOD bless your family. For every loss LORD knows that 4 or more are affected.

he was a good friend and his wife too

You were my cousin and the best man ive ever had the pleasure of knowing i keep your picture in the front of my binder always i love and miss you im glad to be LDS because the principals we teach r what helped me the most

I worked with Julio when he was back in the states, we were in the same squad when we were doing the work ups for the deployment, Me not being a grunt and being MT didn't like doing the stuff that we were training to do. But Julio was always there with me during those humps up huge hills walking side by side to me tellin me we're almost done (even though we still had miles upon miles to go) but Julio was always there for me when i wasn't feeling right. always kept me motivated. Before they left i got sent back to my section cause they were cutting numbers for how many marines they could take. and we always talked about being there for eachother and always having our backs. when i found out about Julios death i was devestated. and couldn't believe it. Cpl Julio Vargas will always be talked about to my Marines and letting them know that he was the fine definition of a United States Marine.
Semper Fidelis.

I remember growing up with Julio and his brothers, Ulises and Agustin. They were always good little boys. They stayed out of trouble most of the time. I remember the twins called me their "hero" for beating up some little boy that had messed with them. I just laughed at the time. Now I think about it and it makes me smile and cry because now they both turned out to be the heros they thought I was to them. It really hurts to remember them growing up always laughing. . and to know that one of them will no longer be laughing with us. Julio like his twin have always been the happy cheery type of guys. When I found out about Julio it broke my heart, I just couldnt believe and didn't want to believe that one of the twins was no longer with us. All I could think of was those little boys I saw grow up.. and how painful it was to know one was gone and his family left heart broken. Augies twin Julio is now looking down on his loved one's from heaven, smiling cause he knows they're gonna be okay. My prayers go out to you and your family. It's been years since we've seen eachother but it feels as if it was yesterday when we got into trouble together or I got you guys and my brothers out of it:-) Julio, love you buddy and you're in a better place now. You died fighting for US... you'll never be forgotten... you were and will continue to be a role model for many of us. R.I.P