Roberto Stillman Garcia was one of many greater than 2,400 souls misplaced on Dec. 7, 1941, when Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Whereas it took practically 84 years, Garcia, a seaman within the U.S. Navy, lastly obtained the right burial he deserved.
On that fateful morning in 1941, Garcia was stationed aboard the usCalifornia, one in every of an astounding 21 ships both severely broken or destroyed by Japanese bombers.
Coming Residence to Texas
On Oct. 21, Garcia’s stays had been buried, and the veteran obtained full navy honors in a ceremony on the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery in Corpus Christi, Texas. Garcia grew up in close by Concepcion.
Oscar D. Garcia, additionally from Conception, stated it was necessary to finish the household’s needs in bringing their cherished one dwelling after greater than eight many years.
“That was the surprising shock that expertise has allowed us to expertise,” he advised KRIS 6 News in Corpus Christi.
Dream Turns into Actuality
Garcia’s stays had been discovered after the Pearl Harbor assault, however couldn’t be recognized for a number of many years. By the facility of forensic science and DNA evaluation, nevertheless, scientists confirmed earlier this yr the stays belonged to Garcia.
Nickie Valdez, one in every of Garcia’s nieces, known as the revelation a miracle.
“Eighty-four years. When he touched the bottom in Texas, my dream turned a actuality,” Valdez stated.
Lately, extra lacking veterans from World Battle II, the Korean Battle, and Vietnam have had their stays verified because of DNA testing. Final Might, Donald P. Gervais, a Vietnam Battle soldier killed in motion in 1968, was lastly recognized and introduced dwelling for burial.
Persevering with to Serve
In a tremendous twist, Allison Ledesma, Garcia’s great-great-niece, serves as a lieutenant within the Navy. The place is she stationed? Pearl Harbor.
In one of many biggest honors of her younger life, Ledesma was picked to escort her great-great uncle’s stays again to his Texas hometown.
And Ledesma is the one active-duty navy individual in her household. She was the right match for the job.
“The celebs actually aligned for me to have the ability to be the one to honor him by bringing him dwelling,” Ledesma stated.
When Garcia’s stays touched down on South Texas soil on Oct. 17, the San Antonio Worldwide Airport honored the veteran with a ceremony on the tarmac. Water cannons shot off to salute the fallen sailor.
It was a transferring expertise that wasn’t misplaced on Garcia’s household. “I stated I wasn’t going to cry, however how might I not?” Valdez stated, wiping away tears.
After the airport memorial, Garcia’s stays had been transported through motorcade to Seaside Memorial and Funeral Residence. Because the motorcade slowly rolled down the freeway, it was adopted by veterans and active-duty navy personnel.
Household by no means gave up
After the assault on Pearl Harbor, Garcia was presumed useless, however his household believed he would in the future return dwelling and be put to relaxation.
“Now we have to have hope, and we should always by no means surrender,” Valdez stated. “My grandmother stated he can be again. She didn’t dwell to see it, however now it’s my technology that will get to witness it.”
Many individuals, together with strangers, got here to Garcia’s funeral to honor the Navy sailor. Service members and group leaders from throughout Texas had been available to pay their ultimate respects.
Recalling the “No soldier left behind” credo, fellow Navy veteran Andrew Perales felt a must attend Garcia’s memorial.
“Understanding that period of time and the place he died and the significance of that second in historical past, I stated ‘Man, I obtained nothing to do at present, I am coming right here at present.’ Even when it’s 84 years later we’re nonetheless going to convey him dwelling,” Perales stated.
Garcia’s homecoming closes an extended chapter in his household’s historical past. And regardless of the anniversary of Pearl Harbor closing in on 84 years, Ledesma stated People ought to always remember the sacrifices so many service members made on Dec. 7, 1941.
“Lots of our service members paid the final word sacrifice,” stated Ledesma. “It’s our obligation and accountability to honor those that gave the whole lot in protection of our nation.”
