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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 06172008 - AJ.1 AJA THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adjournment June 17, 2008 On this day the Board of Supervisors adjourned this meeting in honor of Sgt. John Aragon of Antioch, a 2004graduate of Antioch High School. Sgt. Aragon was killed in Iraq last week by a roadside bomb that destroyed the Humvee he was riding in a city northwest of Baghdad. He was 22 years old when he died doing his duty. THIS IS A MATTER FOR RECORD PURPOSES ONLY NO BOARD ACTION WAS TAKEN LLM 0 �lm LLA LLJ co A C4O . � Wp Till V O Z20 O Z ^ O 4 Q I would like to adjourn in memory of Sgt. John Aragon of Antioch. Sgt. John Aragon, a 2004 graduate of Antioch High School, was killed in Iraq last week by a roadside bomb that destroyed the Humvee he was riding in a city northwest of Baghdad. He joined the army on 2006 and was a member of the famed 101 st Airborne Division. He was 22 years old when he died doing his duty. He is the son of Denise and John Aragon of Antioch. Sgt. Aragon is the second serviceman from Antioch to die in Iraq. On Sept. 24, 2005, Sgt. Daniel Scheile (pronounced Sheele) was also killed by a roadside bomb while serving with the Army south of Baghdad with National Guard's 1 st Battalion, 184th Infantry. He is the 12th Contra Costa resident to die in Iraq and Afghanistan. Funeral arrangements are pending. Our hearts and sympathy go out to his friends and family in Antioch and Pittsburg. tib l 200$ 08: -16 FAX 001 101st Airborne soldier from Antioch killed in Iraq - Conti-aC;osta'Iimes.com Nage l of 2 CONTMCOSTATIMES contEfl'CosbT[If"44111 passion forfh� military.After arriving at Fort 101st Airborne soldier Campbell, Ky . he called his parents. from Antioch killed in Iraq "He said, 'I Love the Army and the Army loves me,'" Dense Aragon said. 'The two just clicked." By Simon Read An American flag hangs outside the Aragon family East County Timo9 home on Gentrytown Drive.A black flag with a white Adc-.e Leurc-)(,C'061"13/2QU 04:381' Pti1 PDT eagle's head the emblem of the 101st Airborne, hangs by the front door. Aragon shipped out to Iraq Related on Oct 16, 2007. �► Guestbook: Post your Denise Aragon said she naturally feared for her son conaotences for Sgt.John D but kept her apprehension to herself. "if he knew vas scared,then he would have iA 22--year-old:soldier from Antioch was killed in worried," she said. Iraq on Thursday after a roadside bombing,the Department of Defense announced. Aragon's father,John, said his son wanted to be near the action. Sgt. John D.Aragon of the 101 st Airborne Division (Air Assault)died in Kadamiyah,northwest of "He would say, 'A true soldier is a fighting foot i Baghdad,from wounds suffered when his Humvee soldier.'We wouldn't watch the news;we'd never struck an improvised explosive device, military turn on CNN It was always this many soldiers were officials said In a news release. killed today,or that many killed." A 2004 Antioch High School graduate,Aragon Aragon, a diehard Oakland Raiders fan with the entered the U.S.Army in March 2006,his family team name tattooed above his heart, purchased an said. Iraqi cell phone and a long-distance calling card and phoned home once a week.Although proud to "He just always wanted to be in the Army,"said his serve in the military, he did not harbor any romantic mother, Denise, a pair of her son's dogtags hanging notions of war. around her neck."He went to the recruitment office when he was still a senior in high school without "He'd tell us it was pure hell,"John Aragon Sr. said telling me. I found out and made him go to(Los "Those were his words: 'pure hell."' Medanos)College for a year and then make a decision. His family did what they could to provide him the comforts of home, sending care packages with "I told him maybe you'll meet the girl you're going brown sugar Poptarts(one of his favorites),granola to marry. You don't know what will happen." bars and canned oysters. During his last conve.rsatlon with his mother on June 4,he said he'd The extra year did nothing to diminish Aragon's be home nex;month for 1$days and asked for a Advertisement _ croar r • • c. • ` www.citiesbyfoot.com Print Powered By �:_F_'-?r rrr atDynamics http:,'/www.contraeostatimes.com/ci_9579498"source=email 6/17/2008 06.17',2004 08:41 FAX 2002 101st Airborne soldier from Antioch killed in Iraq - ContraCostaTimes.co n Page 2 of 2 COCOSTATIMES _ _ Con'troCostoTlm*_u_._co packet of Flaming Hot Cheetos. County killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. "We never got to send them,"Denise Aragon said. Simon Read covers Antioch. Reach him at 825-779-7166, or Rendered"numb"by the loss of their only son, both sread@bayareanewsgroup.com . Staff writer parents said they are proud of what he Paul Burgarino Contributed to this story. accomplished, including the rank of sergeant in two years. "It just made me beam,"said Aragon's father. "I went and told all of my friends. I was extremely proud." Mayor Donald Freltas said the thoughts and prayers of the city are with Aragon's family. "His death brings the war closer to home,"Freitas said. "It makes it more realistic. This is not an esoteric subject—it's more real." Councilman Arne Simorsen, a 24-year Naval veteran whose son served in the first Gulf War,said such tragic news is always hard to bear. "As a veteran, ifs something that's always on your mind,"he said. "It's something none of us ever want to deal with." Said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in a written statement."Sct. John Aragon served with bravery and loyalty to his country and fellow soldiers. His devotion to service is an inspiration for all Americans, and his sacrifice wih not be forgotten." Aragon Is the second serviceman from Antioch to die in Iraq. On Sept. 24,2005, Sgt. Daniel Scheiie. 37,died from injuries he received while patrolling in southeastern Baghdad when a roadside bomb exploded near his armored vehicle. Scheile was with the Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry. Aragon is the 12th serviceman from Contra Costa Aavertisement QrOOsi' onlyin crocs,trn www.citiesbytoat.com Print Powered By �t� Forn.tatDyrt�micsl http://ww-w.contracostatiines.com/'ci 9579498?source=ernai1 6/17/2008