Pfc. Juan G. Garza Jr., U.S.M.C (KIA)

WAR'S TOLL: 2 from Michigan among the latest killed in action

BY ALEXANDRA R. MOSES

A Temperance Marine was shot to death by a sniper, and a Howell soldier was killed when his personnel carrier came under fire, becoming the latest known Michigan casualties in the war in Iraq, their families said Wednesday.

Marine Pfc. Juan Garza Jr., 20, of Temperance was killed by a sniper shot to the chest, said his aunt Jodi Bucher. She was notified of his death Tuesday night. The dates of the men's deaths have not yet been released.

The family of Army Pfc. Jason Meyer, 23, also received its notification Tuesday. Meyer was based in Fort Stewart, Ga., where he lived with wife Melissa, 20.

"He died doing what he wanted to do. He felt very strongly about the service," said Meyer's mother-in-law, Connie Arnould of Swartz Creek.

Bucher said Garza, who had lived with her for five years, was a little afraid to go to Iraq "but knew it was part of his job." She said he planned to make a career in the Marines. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Garza was married the day after Christmas, Bucher said, and graduated from Summerfield High School in 2002. Garza's wife is in the Army, she said.

Meyer, too, was recently married. Arnould said Meyer married her daughter on March 30, 2002. She said Meyer lived with her family for a time before the marriage.

Meyer graduated from Howell High School in 1999 and joined the Army in 2001. He and his wife moved to Georgia shortly after the wedding, Arnould said.

Arnould's brother, Steven Cousino, described Meyer as an "always happy-go-lucky, smiley kind of guy."

Meyer worked in construction and built decks for family members, Arnould said. He loved the outdoors, including hunting.

He also dedicated himself to military service.

Arnould said Meyer hurt his knee before he was sent to Iraq but didn't want that to prevent him from fighting.

"He was going to do what he was meant to do," Arnould said by phone from Georgia, where she had gone to be with her daughter.

She said she was unsure where Meyer died, but thought he was near Baghdad International Airport Details from the military weren't available Wednesday.