Andres Garcia is Buried Sunday
Funeral services for Specialist 4 Andres Garcia, 24, were held Sunday afternoon at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Rev. James Duddy officiated.
An honor guard from Reese Air Force Base, Lubbock, accorded full military honors to Garcia.
He was killed by a fragment from a land mine while on patrol in Viet Nam. He was a member of the Military Police.
Born and raised in Spur, Andy Garcia graduated from Spur High School in 1962. He was and All-District and All-South Plains football selection at tackle. He attended South Plains College. He had been in the Army for one and one-half years; serving in Viet Nam five months.
Survivors include his parents, Mr. And Mrs. Luis Garcia; six brothers, Pete, Jack, Lawrence and Aureallana, all of Ralls and Joe and Margarto, both of Spur; three sisters, Mrs. Anita Olivarez, Spur; Mrs. Julie Punte, Ralls; Mrs. Frances Navarro, Pittsburg, Texas.
Burial was in Spur cemetery with military services conducted at graveside.Spur Mayor, Rick Rickels, has issued the following proclamation:
MAYOR'S PROCLAMATION
I, Adrian Rickels, mayor of the City of Spur, proclaim January 30, a day of silent prayer in memory of Andres Garcia, the first soldier from Dickens County to give his life in Viet Nam. In this time of mounting crisis, he set aside all and went forth into battle to serve his country and keep it free from aggression. He left his home and family to defend his country; filled with a love for his native land and a devotion to freedom for all.
The red in our Flag was made redder by his death; the white made purer; the blue more glorified by his sacrifice. Therefore as Mayor of the City of Spur, I request each citizen to fly his Flag on this day; stop whatever you are doing for a moment of Silent Prayer in memory of Andres Garcia.
Signed, Rick Rickels,
Mayor of Spur, TexasInterment was in Spur Cemetery.
©The Texas Spur January 27, 1966
Transcribed by Becky Hodges, September 2004
Andre Garcia to Receive Medal
Army Specialist 4 Andre Garcia, of Spur, who was killed by a land mine in Viet Nam in January, will be awarded the Purple Heart posthumously in a special program tonight.
Spur VFW Post 7212 will direct the services.
Post Commander J.C. Wright told The Texas Spur this week that a Major O'Sullivan, from Abilene would present the medal to Garcia's parents, Mr. And Mrs. Luis Garcia.
"The Public is invited to attend this service to honor and recognize this fine young man who gave his life for his country," commander Wright says.
The program will be in East Ward Auditorium at 6:30 p.m.
©The Texas Spur, March 3, 1966
Transcribed by Becky Hodges, September 2004
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