Bury Alfonso Santillan in Arlington

Alfonso Santillan



, loving father of 7, a double Purple Heart Vietnam Veteran passed away from cancer on October 2, 2016. His family would like to honor Alfonso's last request, which is to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery, but the Funeral Home wants $13,000 to complete the arrangements, and Alfonso's family does not have that kind of money.
About Alfonso:

Alfonso has been a member of the Prescott community for 23 years after joining the Marine Corps in 1965 at the young age of 17. Alfonso was first stationed in San Diego before finally being shipped out on September 2, 1965 on the USS Mitchell to Okinawa, Japan as part of the Raider Battalion program, which was similar to the Navy SEALS.

Alfonso would go on to valiantly lead one of the battles in opposition to the TET offensive but was injured in July of 1968 resulting in his honorable discharge due to 60% permanent disability. Altogether, Alfonso served on two tours and seven campaigns during his four years of service earning him two Purple Hearts and two Presidential Unit Citations.

Even while recovering from his injuries, Alfonso could not help from serving his fellow Marines. He took on the heartbreaking task of acting as a liaison between the Marine Corps and the families who had lost loved ones in battle supporting them with final arrangements for fallen soldiers.

While recovering from his own injuries, Alfonso remembers working at a hospital assisting a Sergeant Major to give out Purple Heart medals to the wounded. The Sergeant Major was so impressed by Alfonso and his service that he made it his mission to have Alfonso promoted to Sergeant despite being only 21 years old. “The gesture was one of the most heartfelt and memorable moments of my military career.”

Alfonso attributes the military for giving him his unbelievable strength and character. He said, “It has given me a willingness to help others.” He has passed his experiences on to his 19-year-old son, whose goal is to be a commissioned officer in the Marines after graduating college. Additionally, his 17-year-old daughter wants to join the Navy to become a Registered Nurse.



In 2009, Alfonso was inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame, which is the highest honor awarded by the Governor for contributions to fellow veterans and Arizona citizens. Until recently, Alfonso has been hosting a Veterans radio program once a month discussing the latest news effecting Arizona’s veterans.

http://gosar.house.gov/military-mondays