Remembering California’s war dead

“Dan, you know we miss you. May our actions reflect your sacrifice and our words reflect your memory. Please guide our hands to initial success or may we be blessed with your company on the flip-side!”

“He’s always here in my heart and my thoughts. . . . I miss my son so much.”

“Bebsko, this is one of the saddest day[s] of my life. I just found out this morning that you’re gone. I am just reminiscing [about] things that we have been through and I didn’t expect that Oct. 3, 2009, was the last day that I [would] ever see you. . . . I will surely miss you forever. Thanks for everything, Beb. Thanks for the wonderful times. Somehow, part of me can’t believe this. But I know that you’re happy . . . where you are now. Till we meet again. . . .”

posted Thursday on Army Spc. Jesus O. Flores Jr., 28, of La Mirada, who was among four soldiers killed Oct. 15 when their vehicle was attacked with a makeshift bomb in southwest Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, on the Pakistani border

“I miss you, Jesse. You were the best bro ever. R.I.P, man. I love you, Jess.”

“From the first day I met Marcus, we instantly we became friends. He was so fun to be around; always made me laugh; and for that I thank you. Rest in paradise.”

“As a former Marine, friend, teammate and schoolmate, my heart goes to the family, especially Dino and Rafa’s baby girl. Rafa is a true hero to all who knew him. Semper Fi.”

“I didn’t know SFC Salcido at all, but I was a member of the 1-133rd Infantry that provided security for him on Nov. 9, 2006. I was the first gun truck to arrive at his destroyed vehicle. I was shocked that no other soldier had [exited] their vehicle to help out, but I guess one could be confused on the situation at the time. We pulled his driver from the wreckage and called for a medic. I remember hearing pops hitting against my truck, but before I could act the pings stopped. His driver kept saying I can’t find my truck commander, and he later stated that he was getting dizzy and our medic took over from there. While the injured soldier was being treated . . . I proceeded to locate SFC Salcido. I can’t remember a lot after finding his remains, just that he had a wedding ring on and I kept thinking: ‘Jesus, he has a wife back home and most likely children.’ I began to feel guilty seeing how my truck was directly behind the IED blast. We checked for a pulse and found what would be the last seconds of his life. My driver says to me after a night of drinking once that he could have saved him but I know we [were too] late and nothing more could have been done. We did look for a triggerman and raided a house nearby but whoever had set off the IED was gone. . . . The name SFC Salcido has been branded in my memory. May God bless his family, and my deepest sympathy.”

-- Sgt. Durkin James, C CO 1-133rd Infantry,

“You always were a joy to be around. Even when I was having a bad day, you could always cheer me up. I’ll sincerely miss you. Semper Fi.”

“As proud of you as I am, this feeling of loss is unbearable. You had too much to live for, too many who wanted to share life with you. Goodbye, dear one. I miss you.”