Fund-raiser established for family of fallen Marine

Deirdre Newman

A local Marine has issued a “Code Green” to help the family of Marine

Jose “Angel” Garibay, who was killed during the war in Iraq.

Madrigal Cuauhtlicoyotl is asking the community to pitch in

financially to raise $2,500 for Garibay’s family, who spent that

amount to attend a memorial service in North Carolina honoring him.

Cuauhtlicoyotl spent the last week painting two boxes with his

6-year-old daughter, Raquel, and then placed them in El Metate Market

on the Westside. The boxes are adorned with patriotic colors and

Marine emblems, symbolizing Garibay’s commitment to the country he

wasn’t even a citizen of until after he died.

Cuauhtlicoyotl, who also served as a Marine, was appalled when he

found out that the Marines didn’t pay for the Garibays’ trip. So

drawing on the fierce loyalty that characterizes the Marines, he

offered to raise money for the family.

He said he believes it is the duty of Garibay’s community to help

when one of their own sacrifices his life. Garibay grew up in Costa

Mesa and attended Whittier Elementary, Ensign Intermediate School and

played football at Newport Harbor High.

“Most people don’t have any concept of what it means to die for

their country,” Cuauhtlicoyotl said. “They fail to understand that

someone sacrificed their life so they can go about their ways and

they don’t take the time to thank people like Cpl. Garibay. It

frustrates me.”

The 21-year-old Marine corporal was killed March 23 near

Nasiriyah, Iraq, after encountering an ambush of enemy troops.

The ceremony, a memorial service for the Second Marine Division,

took place at Camp LeJeune in North Carolina on Aug. 26. The Garibay

family paid the $2,500 for its airfare and hotel.

Cuauhtlicoyotl got involved in helping the Garibays when he was

invited to be a member of the Fiestas Patrias Parade Committee. His

main role in this position is to unite and honor the families of

fallen Marines from Southern California.

He approached the owner of El Metate Market, Brian Murrieta, about

placing donation boxes in his store and Murrieta was receptive to the

idea. Murrieta also donated money for the sash that Jose’s mother,

Simona, wore during the service, Cuauhtlicoyotl said. Murrieta could

not be reached for comment.

Simona Garibay said she is grateful for Cuauhtlicoyotl’s efforts

to help her family.

“I feel [his] support and am very appreciative because somebody is

actually concerned about us,” she said.

Cuauhtlicoyotl said the sooner the money is raised, the better for

the Garibay family.

“[Simona] makes a humble living as a housekeeper at one of the

hospitals here,” he said. “How long will it take to get the money if

they need it now?”