Justin A. Casillas, 19

Army, Private 1st Class

Based: Ft. Richardson, Alaska

3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division

Supporting: Operation Enduring Freedom

Died: July 4, 2009

Combat Outpost Zerok, Afghanistan

Single

Gender: Male

Hometown: Dunnigan

High School: Pierce High (Arbuckle)

Burial: Mary's Cemetery, Woodland, Calif.

Casillas grew up in the tiny town of Dunnigan in the farm country north of Sacramento. An active, sometimes mischievous child, he talked about wanting to join the military "as far back as I can remember, since he was 3 or 4," said his mother, Donna Casillas. He died July 4, 2009, while carrying a wounded soldier after a surprise attack on a combat outpost in the Paktika province in eastern Afghanistan.

Nicolas H.J. Gideon, 07/06/2009

Joshua W. Soto, 06/16/2009

20 memories of Justin A. Casillas

“

JUSTIN!... the last time we hung out, we were riding that stupid yellow quad with Coop, up sand creek road... I remember talking to you about why we didn't hang out more in high school... we both couldn't figure it out... we had alot of fun that night. and I'm sorry that we could have shared more good times. It's crazy... I was googling assanine things right now... and you come up... nothing in my google search had anything to do with you... so why have I yet again, stumbled upon you? I do not know. I visited your grave the other day, I was surprised to see that you do not have a head stone yet. It was a bit disheartening. I'm still unsure how to feel about all of this... I guess all I can say is I am thankful for the good times we had, though brief. Thanks for being a good friend. I hope that you're doing well, somewhere out there.

” — Aaron Dalton, May 20, 2010 at 2:55 a.m.

“

My love for you will never cease to exist, it'll be 10 years soon, and I honestly wonder if I've lost my chance at happiness the day you left. Everything changed that day. It's weird, but I still turn to your picture for comfort, and advise, and occasionally cry desperately like the moment I found out.
I often visit your grave, but dont want anyone to find out or know. I dont want ppl that were closer to you to think I'm undeserving of you, undeserving to cry over your grave and miss you. I understand though, we're zealous of those that we love. And you are still very much loved. I promise your story will be told; a story of your valor, strength, and kindness.
Forever you will be near my heart; until I'm buried near that pine tree where the wind whispers your name, and the sun hugs the fast falling tears from my eyes. Where the green fields of spring and summer tell our love story, and the fall leaves remind those that visit us that we lived and loved, that we had an honest upbringing and speak of our hardwork and determination. And Where the heavy falling rain drops cry for us if no else does, and they wash away the pain of these years without you. And where spring comes quickly to once again remind me of the day that I first saw you, and of that gentle kiss, and where our pure innocent love can be retold time and time again.

” — E, February 17, 2018 at 12:07 a.m.

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Justin A. Casillas, 19

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20 memories of Justin A. Casillas

Share a memory of Justin