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Procession honors Riverside Marine who died in training accident
Marine Cpl. Cesar A. Villanueva, a 21-year-old from Riverside, who was killed along with eight other service members when an amphibious craft recently sank off San Clemente Island, was honored Tuesday, Aug. 25, in a procession along Inland Empire freeways and thoroughfares.
Villanueva’s body was flown to Ontario International Airport, where a private plane-side service was held, then transported down the 10 and 15 freeways and east along city streets to a funeral home on Arlington Avenue in Riverside.
At 15 Freeway overpasses along the Eastvale-Jurupa Valley boundary, about 150 people from the surrounding community — 50 at each of three bridges — gathered next to fire trucks and firefighters to show their support, said Ontario Fire Capt. Bobby Johnson, who helped organize the response.
At Riverside’s Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Mortuary, Riverside resident and retired Sgt. Ed Fluegeman was among the first to arrive and waited more than two hours to salute Villanueva.
“I try to pay respect whenever I can,” Fluegeman said.
Bambi Lopez, of Riverside, cried as she recounted that her son, a lance corporal, was in a nearby camp when the accident occurred.
“These are good boys,” Lopez said. “They are not out spray painting. It breaks my heart.”
Villanueva had just gotten married and had hopes of raising a family. He had long wanted to be a Marine, his mother, Maria Villanueva, said in news reports.
The 26-ton vessel carrying him and the others died July 30 when their amphibious assault vehicle sunk off San Clemente Island.
Staff photographer Cindy Yamanaka contributed to this report.