On Tuesday evening Annalisa called and I found her to be hysterically crying. I finally understood her to say that Carlos, her former boyfriend of her Jr. and Sr. year of High School was dead, killed in Afghanistan where he had been deployed only 4 months ago. He was 19 and had said he was scared to go to Afghanistan, but was willing to protect his country. Annalisa had seen him in October because he came to visit her at her work at FYE in Provo. She spoke to him before he left in November '09, and then to get this shocking news from her friend Kami Escamilla. Over the past week we have watched the news and kept in contact with his friends and relatives. Yesterday, as a family we attended his funeral in Lehi, Utah.
I have to describe the experience in full. We arrived to the LDS chapel in Lehi to see US Flags lining the perimeter of the Church grounds. In a neat and tidy row were motor bikes of all sorts, the drivers holding flags that lead to the entrance to the Church. The motley crew were in leather and chaps, but all had pride of service. This was a bikers group, a veteren group of men and women. The effect was very cool. Inside, Annie and I walked arm in arm to the open casket viewing of Lance Corporal Carlos Alberto Aragon. He was laid to rest in full uniform and most recognisable was his curly eyelashes. Remember, he was the boy of long curly blond shoulder length hair, a scrubby beard and sweet smile. At his HS graduation he had cut his hair into a butch and it was a stunning difference. We learned that though his body was in presentable shape, he had been killed by a land mine, also known as IED, and it was the repercussion that knocked the life out of him, as in the 'shaken baby syndrome'. The service was so well done and attended by Governor Hubert and Congressman Chaffetz of Utah. Carlos' two older half brothers spoke and to the surprise of his friends, his biological father attended. Carlos had never met his real father originally of Mexico, and had only talked to him twice in his short life. The attending mourners were invited to attend the dedication of his grave and a very long (80 car) procession ensued. It was touching as a long row of Boy Scouts held flags and stood at attention with hands raised to their foreheads in salute to all the cars that passed, with the Hearse in the front, lead by a police motorcade. At each intersection and stop lights of perhaps 10 in number, a police car and officer were blocking traffic to let the procession stay together as we traveled to Camp Williams on Redwood Road. (Side note: Annalisa with friends met the airplane delivering the body at the SLC airport at 8am this same day. She said the same respect was given to the 20 car procession even to the stopping of traffic on I-215 and I-15. Each on ramp was blocked to allow the motorcade, Hearse and followers to travel from SLC to Lehi.) The graveside ceremony was accentuated with a 6 gun salute and the flag covering the casket was folded into the customary triangle and at the last fold 3 bullets were inserted into the flag and given to his mother, a repeat of the flag folding and another given to his natural father. Again those that attended gave condolence to his immediate family and the crowd dispersed. Sadly, another Marine soldier from Orem died two days after Carlos and his funeral will be this coming weekend. Nicholas knew Nigel Olsen from Mountain View High School. Nigal was from the same company as Carlos. The whole experience was draining but so well executed for the family and friends of Carlos. He will be missed and the sacrifice of his live will not be forgotten. In a couple of these photos you will see a young fellow named Hector. He was Carlos' best friend. In an interview with a local paper, Hector said that he and Carlos talked every weekend. He said they talked for hours about everything and nothing at all. When asked if Hector would miss Carlos, he said yes, but at least they had left nothing unsaid. I was very touched by that. Give though to those in your world whom you love and leave nothing unsaid. You never know when you cannot say more. Hector who is dressed in black on black suit and has long black hair. (When Annie and Carlos were together they would hang out with Hector alot and I had met him at a picnic once before.) As folks were leaving and Hector passed me, I told him that I appreciated his comments in the newspaper article. Then, from this fellow of dark colors and deep sadness for his lost friend, he smiled at me with a row of strait white teeth and beautiful eyes and said, "Be Happy.....just Be Happy." Thanks Hector. So Long Carlos.
No comments:
Post a Comment