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    Procession through streets returns Camp Pendleton Marine killed in rollover home to Riverside
    • May 6, 2025

    First responders and community members in Riverside County gave a final salute to a 22-year-old local Marine who died in a vehicle rollover on a New Mexico road while on deployment to the United States border.

    Lance Cpl. Albert A. Aguilera of Riverside, a combat engineer with the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, was deployed as part of the Joint Task Force-Southern Border, the command overseeing the troop deployment at the U.S. border with Mexico following President Donald Trump’s order in January.

    Aguilera died on April 15, when the vehicle he was in crashed down a 10-foot ditch along a road while traveling in a caravan to El Paso, Texas. Lance Cpl. Marcelino M. Gamino of Fresno, also a combat engineer in the same unit, was also killed. A third Marine in the vehicle was injured.

    No further information on results of an investigation into the accident or the condition of the third Marine were provided by officials.

    A homecoming ceremony for Gamino was set to be held in Fresno on Tuesday, May 6, said Laura Herzog, founder of Honoring Our Fallen, a nonprofit that helps military families deal with the loss of their loved ones. Herzog worked with civilian and military officials to get the word out to local first responders and the community that Aguilera was coming home to be laid to rest.

    On Monday, members of Aguilera’s unit, the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, were with his family and waited at the airport for the casket to arrive, Herzog said.

    Patriot Guard riders accompanied the procession to a mortuary in Menifee while members of the Riverside county and city fire departments saluted the hearse and procession from several freeway overpasses. Other groups involved in the procession were the Riverside County Sheriff Department, the Ontario Police Department and representatives from the USO.

    “Today is a very emotional day for the family as they receive their loved one home at such a tragic and difficult time,” Herzog said. “We’re thankful for the support from all of the agencies who honored the father’s wishes as his son makes his final journey home to be laid to rest.”

    Aguilera and the other two Marines were part of Task Force Sapper, a military unit supporting the southern border mission. The unit is responsible for reinforcing existing border barriers and fortifications, such as concertina wire and other physical barriers, to deter illegal crossings and enhance security.

     Orange County Register 

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