Spc. Rodney Garcia has returned to the United States after
completing a one-year deployment in Afghanistan, with the 82nd
Airborne Division in Operation Enduring Freedom.
HONORS
Rodney Garcia
Spc. Rodney Garcia has returned to the United States after completing a one-year deployment in Afghanistan, with the 82nd Airborne Division in Operation Enduring Freedom.
On Oct. 1, 2010, Spc. Garcia was escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders from San Fransisco Airport to his parent’s home in Gilroy. The Patriot Riders welcomed Spc. Garcia at the airport – with the veterans lined up at the terminal with flags – and saluted him as he walked through. They then welcomed him back individually and thanked him for his service. His parents and his niece, Angel, along with his girlfriend, Edlin Carranza, were also there to greet him.
The Patriot Riders then escorted Spc. Garcia down Highway 101, with motorcycles in front and the rest of the Patriot Riders following behind.
At Masten Avenue, the Gilroy Police Department stopped traffic and joined in the escort. Upon arrival to his parent’s home off Wren Avenue, the Gilroy Fire Department was waiting with two fire engines sounding their horns and flashing their lights. The street was lined with flags and Spc. Garcia’s siblings, family and friends, and the Patriot Riders had placed an American flag on their garage door.
Spc. Garcia was presented with a special pin for his service by the Patriot Riders Army representative and Patriot Riders Chaplain Roland Garza prayed for him.
Spc. Garcia will stay with his parents, Rogelio Garcia and Paula Orosco, until he returns to Fort Bragg, N.C. in October, where he will begin training in Ranger school. Spc. Garcia’s family would like to thank the Patriot Guard Riders, the Gilroy Police Department, the Gilroy Fire Department, and Capt. Rich Martin and Cliff and Chris Brunel for organizing such a great homecoming for their son and hero.
Andre Malicdem
Army Pvt. Andre Malicdem has graduated from One Station Unit Training (OSUT) at Fort Knox, Ky., which included basic combat training and advanced individual training (AIT).
During the first nine weeks of initial entry training (IET), the trainee completed basic combat training, which included instruction in drill and ceremony, weapons, marksmanship and bayonet training, chemical warfare, field training and tactical exercises, marches, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, traditions and core values.
During AIT, the soldier completed the armor crewman course to receive skill training in conducting tank unit defensive and offensive combat operations. The soldier was trained to operate, service and maintain armor tracked and wheeled vehicles, load and fire tank weapon systems, perform ammunition handling and supply duties, and assist in target detection and identification.
He is the son of Geadell and stepson of Chad Svenhard of Gilroy and a 2009 graduate of Anzar High School in San Juan Bautista.
Jeffery Barber
Army Pvt. Jeffery W. Barber has graduated from Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Lawton, Okla.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission and received instruction and training exercises in drill and ceremonies, Army history, core values and traditions, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, rifle marksmanship, weapons use, map reading and land navigation, foot marches, armed and unarmed combat, and field maneuvers and tactics.
He is the son of Ischelle Gonzales of Hollister and a 2007 graduate of San Benito High School.
BIRTH
Charisma Reina Hernandez
Charisma Reina Hernandez was born Oct. 11, 2010 at Saint Louise Regional Hospital to Sabrina Lujan and Michael Paul Hernandez of Gilroy. She weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces.
