On this Memorial Day, we take a break from scandals to remember the life of Jose Angel Garibay. The Newport Harbor High graduate was the first Orange County casualty of the Iraq War, killed in action in 2003. In addition to being the first, Garibay's death was significant for another reason: He was born in Mexico, came to this country illegally as a child, signed up for the Marines while still a permanent resident, and finally received his citizenship only at his funeral. His final resting place is in Riverside National Cemetery, since Orange County has no veteran's cemetery, an oversight many county residents are fighting to change, in honor of veterans like Garibay.
KCRW
