As American flags fluttered in the hot...

As American flags fluttered in the hot breeze and “Taps” sounded on a

lone bugle, Marine Cpl. Jose Garibay was honored and then laid to

rest in Riverside National Cemetery on Friday.

In front of family and friends from Costa Mesa, who had come to

Riverside in donated buses, along with veterans and other retired

military, Garibay’s coffin was draped with an American flag that was

later given to his family.

Garibay was killed on March 25, along with six other Marines, near

Nasiriyah, Iraq during the early days of the war. Since word of his

death arrived in Newport-Mesa a day later, there has been a constant

outpouring of support for his family, including mother Simona

Garibay.

Earlier this month, Garibay, who immigrating from Mexico, received

posthumous citizenship. On Friday, the Newport Harbor High graduate

also received a 21-gun salute, the traditional military send-off, one

shot for each year of his life.