Family, friends remember slain Orem Marine

OREM — Lance Cpl. Carlos A. Aragon, 19, was a quiet, respectful young man who loved '70s rock music and trucks and who knew the dangers of service in Afghanistan.

"He understood what it was all about," said Aragon's stepfather, Brad Halladay of Lehi. "Before he left on his final deployment, he said, 'Dad, whatever happens, it's in the Lord's hands. If he wants me to come home, I'll come home.' "

At the same time, he had told his family he probably wouldn't re-enlist.

"He just didn't like saying goodbye," Halladay said.

Halladay, his wife and Aragon's mother, Rosa, and other family members were in Delaware at Dover Air Force Base Wednesday when Aragon's remains were returned to the United States in a transfer ceremony Halladay described as "extremely respectful."

Aragon died Monday in Helmand province. Halladay said the family was told that although Aragon was primarily a diesel mechanic and driver, he was on a foot patrol in an Afghan village when he stepped on a pressure-activated homemade explosive. He was killed instantly.

He was assigned to the 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in the Marine Force's Reserve base at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Halladay said the family expects his body to be returned to Utah Saturday. Funeral services will be held in Lehi, but details are pending.

Aragon was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, but came to Orem as a young boy and remained there until he graduated from Mountain View High School in 2008. His family moved to Lehi about two years ago.

Teachers at Mountain View High School remember Aragon as a quiet, friendly student who stood out because of unruly brown hair that hung down to his shoulders.

"He was a respectful, quiet kid, but he got A's in my class and was able to put down on paper some really deep thoughts that were kind of surprising," said assistant principal J. Peter Glahn, who taught sociology when Aragon was a junior at the school. "He had that long hair, but he was a gentle, nice kid."

The school is planning a moment of silence this morning to honor Aragon.

Halladay said Aragon liked to challenge himself.

"In high school he liked climbing the trails behind Bridal Veil Falls all the way to the top," he said.

He liked the idea of four-wheeling, although he couldn't afford a vehicle when he was in high school. As a result he enjoyed driving light armored vehicles.