Family recalls fallen soldier was against Bush, Iraq war

Army corporal Victor Garcia didn't support the Iraq invasion and he didn't vote for the president, but he gave his life serving his country. The AP's John Mone speaks to his family about his death and about the 5th anniversary of the war.

Garcia's sister notes that her brother had more to say than just "Bush sucks," and could always back his convictions with facts.

Despite his stance against the war Garcia enlisted looking for some help with college tuition and perhaps some discipline. The specialist was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team), at Ft. Lewis, Wash.

On July 1, 2007 he was killed in Baghdad when his unit was attacked with small-arms fire.

Garcia, 22, was the son of Mexican immigrants.

His brothers, Abel and Daniel, married their high school sweethearts at a young age. Victor knew many girls, but had no girlfriend.

Victor just wanted to get out and see the world, Daniel Garcia said. Victor was the one destined to do a lot more.

He was an avid sports fan and loved the Atlanta Braves, the San Francisco 49ers and Manchester United soccer club in England.

He read books by leftist critic Noam Chomsky. One of his blog entries on his MySpace.com page wonders, What more evidence do we need? that the war was a mistake.

Besides his mother and brothers, Garcia is survived by his father and a sister.

This video is from The Associated Press, broadcast March 18, 2008.





(with wire reports)



