Justin Casillas, 19, fatally wounded in action during combat operations in Zerok, Afghanistan
DUNNIGAN -
On a day most Americans set aside to celebrate freedom and independence, family and friends in a small California town are mourning the loss of a 19-year-old hometown hero.
The Department of Defense reports Pfc. Justin Casillas of Dunnigan was killed in action after coming under insurgent gunfire near Zerok, Afghanistan. Casillas was a graduate of Pierce High School in Arbuckle and had been serving in Afghanistan under the United States Army out of Fort Richardson, Alaska for about four months.
Friends and family described Casillas as a loving American.
"He gave me this necklace five years ago," said Maria Duran, a former girlfriend of Casillas. "It was a promise that someday we'd end up together. I've never taken it off."
Casillas had communicated with loved ones back home through his MySpace profile, which shows he last logged in only the day before he lost his life.
Another soldier, 20-year-old Pfc. Aaron Fairbarin of Washington, was also killed alongside Casillas.
More than 700 American troops have been killed in Afghanistan since Operation Enduring Freedom began in October 2001.
The Department of Defense reports Pfc. Justin Casillas of Dunnigan was killed in action after coming under insurgent gunfire near Zerok, Afghanistan. Casillas was a graduate of Pierce High School in Arbuckle and had been serving in Afghanistan under the United States Army out of Fort Richardson, Alaska for about four months.
Friends and family described Casillas as a loving American.
"He gave me this necklace five years ago," said Maria Duran, a former girlfriend of Casillas. "It was a promise that someday we'd end up together. I've never taken it off."
Casillas had communicated with loved ones back home through his MySpace profile, which shows he last logged in only the day before he lost his life.
Another soldier, 20-year-old Pfc. Aaron Fairbarin of Washington, was also killed alongside Casillas.
More than 700 American troops have been killed in Afghanistan since Operation Enduring Freedom began in October 2001.
