SPANISH FORK — Family and friends of Lance Cpl. Cesar F. Machado-Olmos found themselves surrounded at a Sunday memorial service by hundreds of people they did not know.
Despite the unfamiliarity, they came together at the Spanish Fork National Guard Armory for a common purpose: To honor the Spanish Fork man's ultimate sacrifice while fighting on foreign soil as a member of the U.S. armed forces.
Machado-Olmos died a week ago in a non-combat vehicle accident, the first Latino from Utah killed in the Iraq war. He would have turned 21 today.
Machado-Olmos and Lance Cpl. Michael J. Halal, 22, of Glendale, Ariz., died in the accident in Al Anbar Province, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Both were assigned to the 2nd Marine Division based at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Machado-Olmos joined the Marines on Aug. 25, 2001, just a few months after graduating from Spanish Fork High School.
Hygiene equipment repair was his military specialty, which included working with water-purification systems.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Hispanic Advisory Council wanted to honor the Marine for his service to his country, even though he hadn't yet gained his citizenship. Machado-Olmos was a permanent resident.
His family was visibly moved by the event. Several hundred people gathered for the service.
Machado-Olmos' second tour of duty in Iraq would have ended in January. He was home for a visit just two months ago.
"All of us are touched by the sacrifice of a fellow Latino," said Tony Yapias, director of Utah's Office of Hispanic Affairs.
Despite his lack of citizenship "he felt he had to serve. He thought of America as his country," Yapias said.
"It's unfortunate that we send our finest sons and daughters into war to water the tree of liberty with their blood," said Spanish Fork Mayor Dale Barney, who also is a veteran.
"No words in any language can console a family for the loss of a child," said Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah. "Free Iraqis will praise him forever for what he and his companions have done." Cannon also gave Machado-Olmos' mother, Patricia Acosta, and stepfather, Esau Acosta, a letter of condolence.
Recruits earn the title of Marine through their training, said Commandant P.J. Mead, who represented the Marine Corps League. Marine training doesn't strip away each Marine's individuality — "that is the strength of the team," he said.
"That team is a little weaker today. Those Marines who served with Cesar will miss him," he said.
"I know how hard it hurts to lose a son," said Genaro Menjivar, a longtime friend of the family. "This is our country now. We are willing to give our sons and our daughters to protect our country."
E-mail: rodger@desnews.com