Family, unit honor Garcia DFAC namesake

By Capt. Corey Robertson (FORSCOM)May 14, 2015

Remembering the fallen
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Never forgotten
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Legacy continues
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FORT SILL, Okla.-- The Greek orator Pericles once said, "What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others."

Recently, the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade held a ceremony to honor the memory and legacy of one of its fallen and were able to witness the true impact of this Soldier's legacy.

Staff Sgt. Juan Garcia, was a member of 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery, and was killed in action during combat operations April 30, 2005, in Iraq.

In June 2011, the Staff Sgt. Juan Garcia Dining Facility (DFAC) opened here, serving not only as a place to eat, but also as a reminder of Garcia's legacy.

On the 10th anniversary of his death, the Garcia family arrived to visit the dining facility for the first time and to witness Juan's legacy.

During their visit, the family honored Juan's memory and donated some of his personal sports memorabilia to the dining facility staff. Juan was a huge fan of all sports, and that interest is evident in the DFAC's floor to ceiling décor that displays a range of sports paraphernalia.

The food service personnel at Garcia DFAC prepared and served Juan's favorite meal and presented the family with a cake in memory of him. Juan was remembered as a great Soldier and a great person, too.

A former member of Juan's unit, Arthur Struck said, "10 years ago we all experienced something that would change our lives forever. Juan put God first and then his family, he loved his wife and talked about her often. I think his integrity and the way he put others before himself is what is missed the most. Juan is our hero and I know we think about him often. May God bless him and his family."

Juan's legacy will continue to live on and every Soldier who walks through the doors of the DFAC are reminded of this great Soldier and the sacrifice he made.