City of Aurora issued the following announcement on Jan. 27.
A memorial ceremony will be held next week in Aurora to honor United States Army Specialist Miguel Villalon.
The ceremony, which is being hosted by the City of Aurora in collaboration with East Aurora School District 131, will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29 at East Aurora High School, 500 Tomcat Lane.
“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 bi-weekly media briefing held today. “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 this weekend at his family’s hometown of Brownsville, Texas. Visitation is from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, January 24 with a special Rosary at 7 p.m. Services will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 25. Both will be hosted 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 also 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 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.
He was one of two U.S. service members killed on Saturday, January 11 when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device while on duty in Afghanistan.
The ceremony is open to the public.
Questions regarding the ceremony should be directed to the mayor’s office at 630-256-3010 or MayorsOffice@aurora-il.org.
Original source can be found here.
Source: City of Aurora
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