A memorial ceremony will be held next week in Aurora to honor the late United States Army Specialist Miguel Villalon.
The ceremony, which will be presented by the city government of Aurora, in collaboration with East Aurora School District 131, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 at East Aurora High School, 500 Tomcat Lane.
He was one of two U.S. service members who passed away while serving in Afghanistan. Their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED) in Kandahar Province. He was a graduate of East Aurora.
“It is important to his mother and to us for the NJROTC cadets to be able to participate in full capacity in the ceremony,” said mayor Richard C. Irvin during his media briefing Tuesday at City Hall. “This was the unit he was so proud of and where he learned the importance of service to the community and our country.”
In a statement released earlier, East Aurora School District said, “We are grateful to Miguel for his courage and service to our Nation.”
Funeral services for the young soldier will be held in his family’s hometown of Brownsville, Texas. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 with a special Rosary at 7 p.m.. Services will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25. Both will be at the Brownsville Events Center, 1 Event Center in Brownsville, Texas, 78526.
After the services, Miguel’s mother, Olivia Guzman Villalon, will return home to participate in the Aurora memorial ceremony next week.
Through the mayor’s office, she sends her gratitude to the community for the outpouring of love and support. She asks for continued prayers for her and her family during this difficult time. Mrs. Villalon thanked the United States Army for promoting her son from Private First Class to Specialist.
In response to inquiries from the community, mayor Irvin said donations, cards, and letters for the Villalon family can be brought to the ceremony.
“We are planning a memorial ceremony befitting a hero, because that is exactly what Miguel is,” said mayor Irvin, a veteran of the United States Army.
Specialist Villalon attended Waldo Middle School and East Aurora High School. He joined the United States Army in 2018 and, after completing basic combat training and advanced individual training in 2019, at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, he was assigned to Fort Bragg in North Carolina where he served as a combat engineer. His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with “C” Device, the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
—City government of Aurora