The community of Porterville put together a solemn yet patriotic homecoming for a soldier killed at war. Sunday a large crowd attended the military homecoming for Army Private A.J. Pardo.More >> A Porterville mother is mourning the loss of her 21-year-old son killed while serving overseas.More >>
PORTERVILLE, Calif. (KMPH) -
Hundreds were in Porterville Tuesday to pay respects to a soldier killed in Afghanistan.
Army Pfc. Alejandro Jose Pardo, 21, died two weeks ago when his unit came under attack by the Taliban.
Pardo's body arrived in Porterville Sunday.
A mass was held at Holy Cross Church Tuesday morning. It was followed by burial at Home of Peace Cemetery.
On Sunday, Pardo's mother delivered this message to KMPH News through a spokesperson: "When AJ 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."
Five other soldiers were killed in the July 8 attack.
Porterville has lost three soldiers in Afghanistan in the past eighteen months.
