Michael Garcia

Bossier City, LA ? Funeral services for SSG Michael Jonathan Garcia will be 10 AM, Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at St. John Berchman Cathedral in Shreveport, LA. Monsignor Carson LaCaze officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at Boone Funeral Home in Bossier City, LA. Michael was born to David Garcia and Mary Ann Garcia on August 1, 1983 in Big Spring, TX. He was killed in action on July 4, 2011 in Afghanistan. Michael was an EOD Team Leader on his third tour to the Middle East, which included two tours to Iraq and this one to Afghanistan. Michael graduated from Bossier High School in 2001. He had been active in the JROTC Program there and said he wanted to join the military after college. He attended Louisiana Tech in Ruston and was a member of Sigma-Pi Delta Lambda Chapter. He left Louisiana Tech and graduated from Basic Training in 2004. While in the service he received the Bronze Star Medal; Bronze Star Medal with Valor Device; Purple Heart Medal, third award; NATO Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Third Award; Navy Achievement Medal; Joint Meritorious Unit Award; Valorous Unit Award; Meritorious Unit Citation; Army Good Conduct Medal, second award; National Defense Service Medal; Afghan Campaign Medal with two campaign star; Iraq Campaign Medal, with two campaign stars; Global War on Terror Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon, second award; Combat Action Badge; Senior EOD Badge; EOD Badge; Driver and Mechanic Badge; Wheeled Vehicles, Driver; and Mechanic Badge, Operator. He is survived by his father, David Garcia, Jr.; siblings, Debra Garcia, Cindy Elizardo, Richard Garcia, Sr. Amanda Garcia, and Jason Garcia; son, Elijah Cade Pilcher; and two goddaughters, Selena Manzano and Brooklyn Gray. SSG Michael Jonathan Garcia was a hero who gave his life in support of making the world a better place for all. He will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing him. The family would like to express their gratitude to everyone who made Michael?s homecoming the way he would have wanted