TYNDALL, FL, U.S.A.
U.S. NAVY
HN, 3RD MARDIV DET
08/05/2009, FARAH PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
Navy Corpsman Anthony Christian Garcia, who was killed in Afghanistan on August 5th. HN Garcia, a 21-year-old Petty Officer 3rd Class, was fatally wounded when his vehicle was hit by a bomb during combat operations in Afghanistan’s Farah Province.
Commanding Officer CPT Linda Ireland of Pax River Health Clinic explained to the over 100 people present, ‘‘You do not need to meet someone to know the character of that person. Indeed, you can discern their character from their actions, from the esteem or regard expressed for them by their friends and co-workers. Such is the case today with HM3 Garcia.”
She continued to speak of HM3 Garcia, ‘‘I have learned that this was a young man with a warm, infectious smile who was highly regarded by his military and civilian shipmates. I have learned that he embodied our core values of honor, courage and commitment, and armed with courage and commitment he willingly went into harm’s way in the service of his country.”
The loss of Anthony Garcia ‘‘has torn the fabric of the Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River community,” CPT Ireland added, ‘‘so we are here to begin to mend this tear, to begin the journey to healing by comforting each other. We will do that through shared tears, stories and memories of a fine young man who, though we will never see again or talk with again, will remain forever in the heart of this community.”
Her remarks were followed by memorial reflections by Anthony Garcia’s friends and shipmates, a slide show, poetry reading, a pastoral reflection, the Hospital Corpsman Prayer, Roll Call, the playing of Taps and a closing hymn sung by HA Brittany Bounds and HM3 Melanie Davis.
Anthony Garcia grew up in a military family, the son of Carol and Anthony Garcia. He graduated in 2006 from Haney Technical High School in Panama City, FL, and joined the Navy immediately after graduation.
Upon completion of training, he was assigned to the Pax River Naval Health Clinic. During this initial assignment, he deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
While at Pax River, he met Jewell Verdejo, who became his wife April 24th in Hawaii. She still serves with the clinic at Pax River.