Army Pfc. Steven F. Shapiro, 29, of Hidden Valley Lake, Calif.
Pfc Shapiro was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas; died Oct. 21, 2011 in Tallil, Iraq.
Pfc Shapiro grew up in foster home in Fremont. By his 18th birthday, his guardian had passed away. He traveled around for a bit, then attended San Francisco City College, majoring in Liberal Arts.
Inspired by his father-in-law, John Veguilla, who is a retired Command Sergeant Major, Shapiro joined the Army in March 2010, serving as an M1 Armor Crewman. He deployed to Iraq early this year.
Wife, Adela, along with her brother, Hannibal, and father, arrived at a designated location to be greeted by approximately 25 supporters who formed a flag line which included members of the Warriors Watch Riders, Patriot Guard Riders and Operation Tango Mike.
More than 500 students and citizens awaited their caravan, which included the student body and staff of Middletown High School and the middle school who had gathered at the edge of campus, lining the caravan’s route. Many holding flags and signs.
Ride Captain Rick Rice later commented, “There was not a dry eye on that ride.” He said it was personally overwhelming to see so many young people honoring the family.
Wife, Adela, said she and her husband met eight years ago, but that they didn't start dating until 2009, marrying the end of that year. She said her husband quickly embraced her family as his own and listed their home in Hidden Valley Lake as his hometown on military forms. Adela has been living there with her family during her husband's deployment.
“He was very intellectual. He could talk about anything,” she said.
She said her husband loved being a family man and a father. “He looks exactly like my husband,” wife, Adela said of their son, Micah, who was born Sept. 30. She said her husband been able to come home for the birth of their son in September and had just returned to Iraq eight days before he was killed.
Shapiro loved being in the Army and planned to make it his career, his wife said.
Pfc Shapiro's awards and decorations include:
Army Commendation Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
Pfc Shapiro was laid to rest on November 2, in Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, CA.
Pfc Shapiro is survived by his wife, Adela and their infant son, Micah; father-in-law, John; brother-in-law, Sgt Hannibal Veguilla, who is stationed at Fort Bliss, TX.
Army Pfc. Steven F. Shapiro was killed in action on 10/21/11.
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