Eric Vargo

Eric Vargo Joined the Army as a Combat Engineer in October of 2003 soon after graduating from West Aurora High School. After Basic Training he was stationed to Fort Riley in Kansas. He married his long time girlfriend, Erica Gonzalez on April 3, 2004. Mr. and Mrs. Vargo have been living in Kansas ever since. Eric was recently deployed to Iraq on February 2, 2005. He is in Alpa Company, 1st Platoon with the 70th Engineer Battalion. GO KODIAKS! Eric is an outstanding soilder and has recieved a Certificate of Achievement for his commendable work. His certificate reads:

For outstanding performance while serving as a driver and team leader during tha 70th Engineer Battalion Engineer Quailification Tables was commendable. His highly motivated demeanor, dedication and commitment excellence were instrumental in the success of his squad. PFC Vargo, with minimal previos driving experience, excelled while driving his squad through all the EQT lanes. When his M113A3 ruptured a fuel line, PFC Vargo demonstrated immeasurable vigilance by working numerous hours over two days to remove and replace the fuel line ans return his APC to a fully mission capable vehicle. As the second highest-ranking soilder in his squad, PFC Vargo also performed duties usually left for a team leader with significantly more experience. His willingness to learn and ability to perform at a level well above his current rank directly contributed to his squad successfully completing all tables of EQT. PFC Vargo's dedication and commitment reflect great credit upon himself, the Alpha Company Grizzlies and the 70th Engineer Battalion Kodiaks.


Eric also wants to take this opportunity to thank the Gonzalez Family and the Castillo Family for welcoming him into the family and for showing all their love and support! We are so unbelievably proud of him and are awaiting his safe return home.

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Fort Riley Soldier dies in Iraq
4/6/2005 12:53:24 PM

Cpl. William D. Richardson, 23, of Moreno Valley , Calif. , died April 3 in Baghdad , Iraq , when he came under enemy attack and fell into a canal.

Richardson was as Infantryman with Company A, 1st Battalion, 41 st Infantry, 3 rd Brigade, 1 st Armored Division.

He enlisted into the Army in February 2002.

Richardson had been stationed at Fort Riley since August 2002 and deployed for a second rotation to support Operation Iraqi Freedom in January 2005.

The incident is under investigation.

Approximately 4,300 Fort Riley Soldiers are currently deployed to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. This incident brings the number of Fort Riley Soldiers who have died while serving in support Operation Iraqi Freedom to 48.

Eric Vargo is also Joel Castillo' nephew.

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Hector Ramos

Se llega un momento cuando nos encontramos dando el mas triste y eterno adios a un ser amado y tal parece como si lo unico que nos quedara es el sufrimiento y un gran vacio y gracias al creador en su misericordia llegan a tu lado en ese momento tan dificil esas personas que con bondadosas palabras de aliento, una ligera o estrecha muestra de afecto o tan solo con su respetuosa presencia a aligerar nuestra tristeza.
De corazon gracias a todos y cada uno de ustedes, por ser esas apreciadas personas quienes nos acompañaron en el ultimo adios a mi eternamente
Amado hijo, Mi heroe, Mi gran Soldado de las Marinas " Hector Ramos"
que aunque se adelanto en el camino deja con nosotros por siempre su valiente espiritu.

Eternamente Agradecido
Aurelio Ramos y su Familia

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It comes a moment when we are giving the saddest and eternal farewell to that someone dear in our life's, and such as it is, it seems as if the only thing that we have left is the suffering and a great emptiness in our life. But thanks to our Creator, with all his compassion, and with people like yourselves, who came during our time of sorrow and in time of grief with a kind word, a guiding light, an affection, and with the presence of our creator he gave us his internal light to lift our sadness.

With all my heart, I would like to thank each and every one of you for the appreciated support of my family and loved ones during our time of sorrow.
To those who accompanied us in the final good bye to my Eternally
Beloved son; My hero; My great Soldier of the Marines " Hector Ramos"
Though he advances on the road to glory, he leaves with us his brave spirit
An loving memories

Eternally Grateful
Aurelio Ramos and the Ramos Family

Esteban (Steve) Gandarilla

Steve's unit is 1st FSSG H&S Bn Service Co. Military occupational skill (mos) 3381 Service Specialist. He joined the Military in July 10, of 2001. After Graduating from East Aurora H.S. His first deployment was feb 28 of 2003 till Sept 17, 2003 to Iraq. his 2nd deployment was Feb 15, of 2004 returned to the states on Sept 02, 2004 he was doing convoy security with the first Military Police. While deployed, deployed his unit was CSSB10) combat service support battalion and this year he did rations, which is delivering food and water to cssb7 units. His main reason for joining the service was that that he felt he needed to do his share for our country. As we all love our freedom. AMERICA there is no other, he said we stand strong and proud. We shall not render to terrorism.

Pictured here with his sister Crystal. Steve was adopted at the age of 14. He has come along way. His sister Crystal attended AOKA In Charlotte for the Grand
nationals In Karate in July, and she received 2 first, 1 second, and a 3rd place in her fighting and technique she is currently a brown belt. She is currently a senior at East Aurora High School, a Captain of the pom squad,Vice President of Deca Club.an on the who's who of America's,

Steve has 2 other brothers who is Saul (25) who is a barber at Tony's barber shop which is located in the train station of down town Aurora , Ruben (20) is currently going to University of Dubuque which is in the State of Iowa, he is majoring in Criminal Justice, in the pursuit of becoming a narcotics agent for our state.

Parents: Lupe Gandarilla & Isidro Gandarilla - married for 26 years.
We as their parents are very proud of all of them, you could not ask for better children..

Shane O. Toscano - Navy

Resides in Edingburg Texas - Stationed in Washington - Going back to Iraq in a few months. He is Eddie (Plazer) and Rosa Acevedo's (Vista Designs) Nephew. He is more like a son to us. Our prayers and love are with him always. May God watch over him and keep him safe!

He and his wife are brand new parents of a new baby girl and expecting his second.

We love you Shane!