The family and friends of Archie Gargaetas extend thanks to the women and men of Del Norte County’s volunteer fire departments. They turned out in strength at Archie’s funeral to say farewell, bells ringing and sirens wailing, to a man they obviously loved.
Archie embodied everything we hold dear about opportunity, liberty, and individuality. Archie’s devotion to the Greek Orthodox Church, his commitment to fire fighting, his passion for sports and his generosity made him a man recognized by the entire community.
He was a successful businessman, operating Archie’s Chevron station at 6th and H Street, and then working as a landlord and apartment housing developer.
He proudly displayed the American flag and the Marine Corps flags on his pickup.
Archie received wounds while fighting on Iwo Jima in the Corps. The sounds of taps and an eight gun salute over his gravesite, delivered by his brother marines, lead to his wife Dottie and his daughter Sophia requesting that we recite Archie’s favorite prayer: The Pledge of Allegiance.
If, on Heaven’s scene, we truly will find the streets guarded by United States Marines, it will be a true pleasure for each of us to enjoy once again the joyful company of Archie.
Archie Gargaetas was 80 years young.
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1 comment:
Too many of Del Norte's finest are passing on. It is for us, the living, to carry on their legacy and love for the thing that they and us hold dear.
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