[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 85 (Thursday, June 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1017-E1018]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN HONOR OF U.S. ARMY SPECIALIST VILMAR GALARZA HERNANDEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 7, 2012

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Specialist 
Vilmar Galarza Hernandez, U.S. Army. On May 26, 2012, this native of 
Salinas, California was killed in his second combat tour in 
Afghanistan. It is with great sadness to note that Specialist Galarza 
was only twenty-one years old and married just two months ago. In his 
all too short life, he made a lasting impact on his family, friends, 
comrades, and community. Specialist Galarza exemplified valor and duty, 
and will be remembered as an American hero.
  On October 7, 1990, Vilmar Galarza Hernandez was born to Pedro and 
Gregoria Galarza, Mexican immigrant farmworkers. Vilmar grew up in 
Salinas, California, a thriving agricultural community. The famed 
author John Steinbeck called this community ``the valley of the 
world,'' a reference to the workers who came to scratch out a living 
from the earth. Vilmar's parents instilled in him and his two siblings, 
Rubi and Marvin, the principles of the American dream: that with hard 
work and determination any opportunity was for their taking.
  After graduating from Everett Alvarez High School, Vilmar choose the 
noble path of enlisting in the United States Army. In the Army, he was 
assigned to the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker 
Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. Vilmar was known by his 
command ``as a rock that you could lean on.'' His company commander, 
Captain Brandon Wohldschlegel, said that Vilmar was ``the model 
soldier.'' The Army awarded Specialist Galarza the Bronze Star, Purple 
Heart, and Army Good Conduct medals as well as campaign ribbons for 
service in Afghanistan.
  Vilmar was destined to achieve great success for himself as he sought 
to make a better life for his family. He grew up in a neighborhood with 
few advantages, but succeeded in spite of the challenges. Vilmar was a 
fighter and a visionary who struggled against the odds and persevered 
to follow his dreams. On March 28, 2012, just two weeks before his 
second deployment, he realized a dream when he married his sweetheart 
Margarita Contreras. It is heartbreaking to know that Vilmar's dreams 
were not all fulfilled, but his spirit will live on in the hearts of 
all those who loved him.
  Mr. Speaker, I know I speak on behalf of the entire House in 
extending the Nation's deepest sympathies to Specialist Vilmar Galarza 
Hernandez's parents Pedro and Gregoria Galarza, his siblings Rubi and 
Marvin Galarza, his wife Margarita Contreras-Galarza, and his extending 
family, friends, and comrades. He will be missed, but we will never 
forget him.

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