Aurora To Hold Memorial Ceremony For Miguel Villalon

AURORA, IL — The City of Aurora will hold a memorial ceremony on Jan. 29 to honor the memory of United States Army Specialist Miguel Villalon, 21, who was killed in Afghanistan when a vehicle he was in hit an improvised explosive device in the Kandahar province on Jan. 11.

City officials are planning the memorial ceremony along with East Aurora School District 131. Villalon was a graduate of East Aurora High School.

In a statement, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin said, "We are planning a memorial ceremony befitting a hero, because that is exactly what Miguel is."

Villalon will be laid to rest on Jan. 25 in his family's hometown of Brownsville, Texas. His mother, Olivia Guzman Villalon, will return to Aurora after the services to attend the memorial ceremony.

Mayor Irvin said, "It is important to his mother and to us for the NJROTC cadets to be able to participate in full capacity in the ceremony. This was the unit he was so proud of and where he learned the importance of service to the community and our country."

Aurora Mourns Soldier Killed In Afghanistan

Villalon joined the United States Army in 2018 and served as a combat engineer at Fort Bragg after his training. His awards include the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and other honors.

What: Memorial Ceremony for Miguel Villalon

When: Jan. 29 at 2 p.m.

Where: East Aurora High School, 500 Tomcat Ln., Aurora