He served in combat in Al Kut from April February through September in VMU-1flying reconaissance surveillance missions in direct support of 1st Marine Expeditionary force in Iraq. So many of his fellow Marines were requesting leave to attend Tuesday's funeral service that a special ceremony was held on Wednesday at Twentynine Palms, Jimmy said.

He would give his life for his friends.

Services held for local Marine at San Joaquin National Cemetery

Friday, October 10, 2003

By Sarah Sanders-- Reporter
(sarahs@losbanosenterprise.com)

Marines from Twentynine Palms were at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella on Tuesday evening to take part in funeral services for one of their own, Los Banos resident Lonnie Harley. The procession of vehicles to the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon seemed to never end. Hundreds of family members, friends and fellow soldiers turned out to celebrate the life of United States Marine Corps Sgt. Lonnie David Harley, who died Sept. 29 at Twentynine Palms. He was 26. The son of Los Banos resident Janet Contreras, and her
husband, Jimmy, Mr. Harley had served his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom from February through September. He died shortly after returning to his base at Twentynine Palms. The cause of his death was not immediately available.

"Not only did he serve God, he served his family, his friends and his country," said New Beginnings...Pastor Donald ***, who officiated. "Lonnie truly was a saint of the Lord."

Born May 7, 1977 in San Jose, Mr. Harley attended Los Banos High School, then graduated from high school in Merced in 1994. According to Lt. Cl. Scott Myklebly, commanding officer of VMU-1, Mr. Harley joined the Marines in April 1997 while the squadron was deployed to Iraq. He served in combat in Al Kut from April February through September in VMU-1flying reconaissance surveillance missions in direct support of 1st Marine Expeditionary force in Iraq.

So many of his fellow Marines were requesting leave to attend Tuesday's funeral service that a special ceremony was held on Wednesday at Twentynine Palms, Jimmy said. The military flew Mr. Harley's family out for a stay at the base.

About a dozen soldiers did turn out however, to perform a full military funeral complete with presentation of the American flag to Janet and the 21-gun salute. His mother was also presented with his Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal for the squadron by Lt. Cl. Scott Myklebly, commanding officer of VMU-1.

"Because of his diligence, efforts and unrelenting resourcefullness, he was respected and admired by all those who observed him," the award read. He was also recipient of the 2003 James McGuire Award for aviation excellence.

But what Mr. Harley will most likely be remembered for are not his accomplishments as a Marine, but as a person. *** described him as "sharing and giving."

"If you know Lonnie for about half a second, you knew the joy he had," he said. *** described his the talks they shared when Mr. Harley would visit his office at the church. "The times I spent with him were precious," he said. Often accompanying guests to church services with him, "He led many to the Lord by his life, his actions, his example," *** said.

In his spare time Mr. Harley enjoyed skydiving, fishing and hunting.
"He loved Jesus; he loved people," Jimmy said. "He and his mom had a good relationship. He loved his sisters."

Other survivors include his sisters, Gina Contreras and Clara Contreras, both of Los Banos; and Rachel Kuhne, and her husband, Robbie, of Fairfield; and grandparents, Dan and Rochelle Harley, of Texas. He also leaves numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.