Army Sgt. Christian A. S. Garcia

Remember Our Heroes

Army Sgt. Christian A. S. Garcia, 30, of Goodyear, Ariz.

Sgt Garcia was assigned to Maintenance Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Fort Hood, Texas; died April 2, 2011 in Babil, Iraq, of wounds sustained when enemy forces attacked his position with indirect fire. Also killed was Staff Sgt. Quadi S. Hudgins.

Goodyear Mother Mourns Loss of Son --

GOODYEAR, Ariz. - For the second time in about a week, a valley soldier is killed overseas. Loved ones are remembering 30-year-old Sgt. Christian Garcia, a married father of two, who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Christian Garcia graduated from Agua Fria High School in 1999, and joined the military shortly after.

Mom Elanor Villaneuva is devastated.

"I am a mother, there is no greater pain than to lose a child in this world," she says while fighting back tears.

The sergeant was killed Saturday during an enemy attack in Iraq.

"He died with dignity and honor defending the United States of America and the people he loved."

Garcia joined the military in June 1999 as a chemical equipment repairer, and was later assigned to the maintenance troop in Fort Hood.

He received many awards and decorations, including 2 Army Commendation medals, 4 Army Achievement medals, and the Global War on Terrorism service medal.

"[He was] a man of good morals and character, a man that is short but with a big heart," she says. "I know this war brings a lot of confusion to others and some negative talks about the war. All I can say is pray for the troops and the men and women who are serving his country."

Army Sgt. Christian A. S. Garcia was killed in action on 4/2/11.