Staff reports

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It started Sunday morning with a police helicopter flyover followed by a parade of armored vehicles, patrol cars and fire engines slowly streaming through a residential neighborhood in Simi Valley.

More than two hours later, a line of cars continued to pass by a house on Katherine Road with flags waving and horns honking to honor a fallen Marine.

Gunnery Sgt. Diego Pongo, 34, of Simi Valley was killed on March 8 in Iraq during a mission against an Islamic State group stronghold, the Defense Department reported. Also killed during the mission was Capt. Moises Navas, 34, of Maryland. Both were assigned to 2nd Marine Raider Battalion as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Pongo's family has had to delay his services because of coronavirus restrictions on gatherings, his sister-in-law Andrea Pongo said on social media. She helped organize Sunday's memorial parade as a surprise for Diego Pongo's parents and brothers.

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With the Simi Valley Police Department recruited ahead of time to help with traffic control, the huge turnout on Sunday was an orderly affair, said police Sgt. Patrick Zayicek.

The memorial parade started at 10 a.m. with participants lining up on Kuehner Drive before rolling west on Katherine Road past the Pongos' home.

An estimated 1,500 cars took part, Zayicek said. Supporters on foot also showed up.

"People on the street lined Katherine Road, waving at people driving by," Zayicek said, adding that those gathered on the road were maintaining proper social distancing measures.

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A Los Angeles Police Department helicopter kicked off the parade with a flyover, Zayicek said. SWAT vehicles from Simi Valley police and the Ventura County Sheriff's Office swelled the rolling parade. Law enforcement agencies from around Ventura County and from the California Highway Patrol took part, as did fire agencies and ambulance crews.

About 50 first-responder vehicles led off the rolling tribute, Zayicek said, followed by about 100 motorcycle officers. Community supporters in private cars kept the memorial in gear for more than two hours, he said. Cars honked and played patriotic music as they drove.

Many of the vehicles had "kids hanging out of moon roofs with flags," he said. "It was a great show of support in our community."

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The Pongos' home had been decorated with flags and a large board covered with photos of Pongo in uniform and in casual attire with his family. The highly decorated Marine was described by military officials as a larger-than-life figure with a dynamic personality.

He was an advanced sniper, a foreign weapons instructor and a combat marksmanship leader who was fluent in multiple languages, said Marine Raider Regiment Commanding Officer Col. John Lynch.

Pongo is survived by his daughter and other family members.

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