Immigrant of the Day: Juan de Dios Arana (Mexico)

Our Immigrant of the Day is another immigrant vet who gave his life for the United States.  In this time, we could list one every day.  Here is what the L.A. Times (and here) tells us about Juan de Dios Garcia-Arana, age 27 at his death.

Army, Staff Sergeant

Based: Camp Hovey, South Korea 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division Supporting: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Died: April 30, 2005 Khaldiya (near Fallouja), Iraq

Married , 1 child

Gender: Male

Hometown: Los Angeles

High School: John C. Fremont Senior High (Los Angeles)

Country of Birth: Mexico

Burial: Buried in Guadalajara, 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.

“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

KJ