A fallen soldier and Salinas native will be honored in his hometown and the state capitol this week. 21-year-old Army Specialist Vilmar Galarza Hernandez was killed in Afghanistan on May 26th of this year, when defense officials say his unit was attacked by enemy forces with an explosive device. Hernandez’ death was announced by the U.S. Department of Defense on Memorial Day. Governor Jerry Brown ordered all flags in the state capitol to be flown at half-mast on Wednesday. Salinas Police officers and Patriot Guard Riders will lead a funeral procession for the lost soldier through Salinas on Friday at 10 am, from Saint Mary’s Church to the Garden of Memories cemetery. Hernandez had married his girlfriend just 13 days before he was deployed.
