A Porterville mother is mourning the loss of her 21-year-old son killed while serving overseas.More >>
PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KMPH) -
Army Private Alejandro Pardo went to war for his country and died in Afghanistan defending it. On a sunny Sunday in Porterville his body was flown home with full military honors.
It was a solemn yet patriotic homecoming in Porterville for Private Alejandro Jose Pardo. In this South Valley community he was A.J. to family and friends.
Many of the faces in the crowd didn't know him but they were moved by his service and the ultimate price he paid for our freedom. Diana McKay was proud to attend. "No I didn't know him at all but knowing that he was from our town and he served for us for our country I just felt I had to be here."
Flags flapped in the wind as the plane taxied in. There were no speeches. Close to two dozen veterans and patriots carrying flags stood at attention. The most moving moment was watching A.J.'s mother Kate Pardo touch his casket and welcome him home.
She delivered this message through a spokesperson. "When A.J. decided to join the Army still in high school I had to come to terms with his decision and acknowledge that we cannot ask others to send their sons and daughters into service if I am unwilling to send my own."
Porterville has lost three soldiers in Afghanistan in the past eighteen months. Al Herrera is a veteran whose daughters went to school with A.J. Pardo. "Proud. Proud that there's a lot of people because I thought there wasn't gonna be as many people."
After the casket was loaded and moving off the tarmac there was one final salute to Private Pardo. A huge flag waved several feet in the air supported by two fire department ladder trucks.
Private Pardo's funeral will be held Tuesday at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Porterville.
