A memorial ceremony will be held next week in Aurora to honor United States Army Specialist Miguel Villalon, who was killed Jan. 11 by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan..

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. Wednesday, Jan. 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. “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 home town of Brownsville, TX. Visitation is 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 hosted at the Brownsville Events Center, 1 Event Center in Brownsville, TX.

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. Villalon also thanked the United States Army for promoting her son from Private First Class to Specialist.

In response to inquiries from the community, 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,” Irvin said.

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, Jan. 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.

SOURCE: city of Aurora news release

Obituary

The following is the obituary published on the Funeraria del Angel Buena Vista website. The funeral home is based in Brownsville, TX.

Entered into eternal rest Jan. 11, 2020. He joined the 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.

A special Thanks to City of Brownsville Mayor Trey Mendez, City Commissioners, Brownsville Police Department, Buena Vista Funeral Home, St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Diocese of Brownsville, and BISD.

He is preceded in death by his great-grandmother;Rita Rios, Grandmother; Olivia Mendoza, Aunt; Maria Guzman; and brother; Jesus Villalon Jr. He is survived by his mother Olivia Guzman Villalon and father Jesus Villalon, brothers Arnoldo and Antonio Fernandez, maternal grandfather Arnoldo Guzman, paternal grandparents; Juan Villalon and Elsa Garcia, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family and friends.

Full Military honors will be honored by the Fort Bragg home of the airborne and special operations force.

Visitations will be Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, at The Brownsville Event Center, 1 Event Ctr. , Brownsville, TX, from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a Rosary at 7 p.m.

Funeral services will be Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, at 10 a.m.. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Funeraria del Angel Buena Vista, 125 McDavitt Blvd. Brownsville, TX.

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