A Soldier Remembers his Fallen Friends

On June 29, one year and one day after their deaths, Arvin Reyes wrote to four comrades in the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. The Army unit is based based at Ft. Carson, Colo.

The California men, along with Spc. Dustin L. Workman II, 19, of Greenwood, Neb., were killed in Baghdad when a roadside bomb exploded.

Reyes wrote to Sgt. Shin W. Kim, 23, of Fullerton:

"Sgt. Kim, my friend. I was there for you and didn't leave you. You were there for me and save my life. I owe my life to you. I can't ever repay you. I don't know what's God planned for the life of everyones life. But it was such a heartache that I felt when you left us. We love you Kim. We miss you. You're a great soldier and a hero. You are always remembered.

Of Private 1st Class Cory F. Hiltz,  20 of La Verne:

"Hiltz, a good friend, smart, and funny. We love you Hiltz. You are always remembered. We pray for you.                

On Sgt. Giann C. Joya Mendoza, 27 of North Hollywood:

"Sgt. Joya, we used to be the crew together in my platoon Sgt.'s guntruck. He was the gunner and I was the driver. He is a good soldier. A good friend and very cheerfull. He watched over me all the time on patrol and I got his back. Same time we are on the battle field. He is brave. I miss you, Sgt. Joya. You, Sgt. Martinez, Sgt. Kim, Hiltz, and Workman will always be remembered... We love you.

And to Sgt. Michael J. Martinez, 24 of Chula Vista, Reyes said:

"Sgt. Martinez, I miss you. I know you're just looking down at me. I am trying to get better. You know me, I am still trying to recover. I almost give up. There's still so much thing going on with me. Anyway, you're always my team leader. You lead me the way to be the great soldier I could ever be. You were there for me, for the rest of our platoon and company. You did your very best. Thank you for everything that you've done. You are always remembered. We love you..

You can read more about these men, as well as 499 other Californians who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and post your own comments at our California's War Dead database.  A list of all recent comments is also available.

--Megan Garvey