U.S. REP. RON BARBER HOSTS VISITING SON OF TUCSON SOLDIER KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN

TUCSON – U.S. Rep. Ron Barber is hosting an 8-year-old boy who is in Tucson this week visiting the grave of his father, a Tucson native who was killed in Afghanistan three years ago.

MacAidan “Mac” Gallegos came to Tucson yesterday with his mother and stepfather. They are visiting to mark the third anniversary of the death of the boy’s father, U.S. Army Sgt. Justin Gallegos.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to show Mac that the people of Tucson deeply appreciate the service and the sacrifice made by his father,” Barber said. “Sgt. Gallegos paid the ultimate price in serving his nation and that is something his fellow Tucsonans will not forget.”

At a ceremony in Barber’s Tucson office tomorrow, Mac Gallegos will be presented with a copy of a Congressional Record that Barber introduced. The resolution commemorates the boy’s visit to Tucson and honors his father’s service.

In the resolution, Barber wrote: “I am honored to meet MacAidan, and share in the memories of his father and of his time in Tucson. It is in remembrance that we keep the faith of a father lost, missed and revered. Yet we also celebrate his shining achievements, his bravery as a soldier and his beautiful boy MacAidan.”

A complete copy of the resolution is below and attached as a pdf.

Sgt. Justin Gallegos was 27 when he and seven other U.S. soldiers were killed in Afghanistan in October 2009 during a fierce clash with hundreds of insurgents in a remote area near the Pakistan border. Gallegos was a graduate of Tucson High School. The Arizona Daily Star wrote about Mac and his father in an Oct. 8, 2009 article.

After his father’s death, Mac Gallegos and his mother Amanda moved to her native Alaska. Mac’s only exposure to Tucson was at his father’s funeral, and his mother wanted him to have a more positive perspective of the city when they came to visit

So members of Barber’s staff arranged a number of events to make the boy’s visit memorable.

Yesterday, Mac, his mother Amanda Marr, an Army veteran, and stepdad Jeremy Marr, an active-duty Army soldier, traveled from Alaska to Phoenix. Before driving to Tucson, they visited facilities of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League and Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. Mac is a fan of both teams.

Mac also was given a tour of Tucson in a Humvee that the Tucson Police Department uses for recruiting purposes. And he visited the main station of the Tucson Fire Department for a tour and demonstration of some of its equipment.

Tomorrow, after the ceremony in Barber’s office, a member of the congressman’s staff will take the family to the popular Tucson Meet Yourself festival.

Media is welcome to attend tomorrow’s event at Barber’s office.

WHAT: U.S. Rep. Ron Barber presents Congressional Record to MacAidan “Mac” Gallegos

WHEN: 3-3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, 2012

WHERE: Congressman Barber’s District Office, 3945 E. Fort Lowell Road, Suite 211

Map

Honorable Ron Barber of Arizona

Congressional Recognition for

MacAidan Gallegos

Entered into the Congressional Record October 12, 2012

Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to welcome back to Tucson a very special boy who is coming to visit his father’s gravesite on the third anniversary of his burial.

MacAidan Gallegos is the son of United States Army Staff Sergeant Justin Gallegos, a brave soldier, who was tragically killed three years ago in Afghanistan. Born in Tucson, Arizona, Justin graduated from Tucson High School before joining the Army in 2002.

Staff Sergeant Gallegos deployed twice to Iraq, fighting insurgents and helping to secure freedom for Iraqi citizens who were yearning for an end to the repression they had experienced for generations. He then deployed to Afghanistan, in support of the American effort there to put down the Taliban, fight al-Qaida and help the Afghan people.

Justin often requested the hard assignments. Except for his wife Amanda and his son MacAidan, the Army was his life. He was a fearless man who worked as a scout in hostile terrain, a gunner on Humvees and as a security guard to high-ranking officers.

As a testament to his courage and dedication as a soldier, Justin earned more than a dozen medals including three Purple Hearts, two Army Commendation Medals and two Army Achievement Medals. He also earned the Bronze Star for his actions that day defending his combat outpost with his comrades and fighting back the Taliban.

MacAidan is coming to Tucson to visit his father’s grave at Evergreen Cemetery. While the visit will be sad, I am positive that MacAidan, and his mother Amanda Marr will relive the wonderful times they spent with Justin. My hope is that MacAidan will continue to learn about Justin - a fantastic dad, brave soldier and deeply loved husband.

I am honored to meet MacAidan, and share in the memories of his father and of his time in Tucson. It is in remembrance that we keep the faith of a father lost, missed and revered. Yet we also celebrate his shining achievements, his bravery as a soldier and his beautiful boy MacAidan.

NEWS RELEASE

Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012


CONTACT
Mark Kimble
Communications Director
U.S. Rep. Ron Barber
Arizona’s 8th Congressional District
(520) 881-3588 or (520) 904-5876