Body Of Deported Gulf War Veteran Buried In California

REEDLEY, CA -- A Persian Gulf War veteran who was deported to Mexico several times was buried last week in California. The Fresno Bee reported Enrique Salas was buried at a Reedley cemetery, alongside his brother who also served in the U.S. Marines.

Salas began serving in the Marines as a 17-year-old. "He was honorably discharged four years later, in 1992, and remained in the reserves through 1996," a San Diego Union-Tribune article said.

Recently, he was in a car accident in Tijuana that ultimately led to his death earlier this month, the Fresno Bee wrote.

"Hardworking and funny, family and friends recall, Salas was devoted to his family and finding a way to return to them. His jovial, warm personality earned him the nickname of 'Papa Bear,'" the Fresno Bee reported.

The Fresno Bee reported that roughly 1,500 veterans who served in the U.S. military have been deported.

Read the full Fresno Bee story here.

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