Jose Garibay was not even a citizen when he lost his life in the
service of his country on March 23.
The 21-year-old Newport Harbor High graduate was among seven
Marines killed in an ambush in Iraq. He was the first from Orange
County to die in the war.
Garibay, a corporal in the Corps, came to the United States when
he was 2 months old from Jalisco, Mexico. He grew up in Costa Mesa
and attended Whittier Elementary, Ensign Intermediate School and
played football at Newport Harbor.
His death touched a community that recognized his commitment to
his adopted country.
That recognition went far beyond Newport-Mesa's borders. Days
after his death, Garibay was honored on the floor of the House of
Representatives by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher.
And then in April, Garibay was given an honor he hadn't received
in life: citizenship.
It was a fitting final gift.
