Army Pfc. Kristian Menchaca arrives home Monday.At around 12:45 p.m., his body will arrive at the Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airport. The body will travel under the care and escort of an Honor team from Fort Campbell, Ky., where his company was stationed, Esther Garcia, public affairs officer at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, told The Brownsville Herald Friday.
MenchacaÂ’s wife, 18-year-old Christina Menchaca of Big Spring, Texas, is expected to arrive in Brownsville this weekend, U.S. Rep. Solomon P. OrtizÂ’s staff said.
The public will be able to pay their respects to the family Tuesday. Public visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and a Rosary will follow from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Special Events Center on Paredes Line Road. Visitation will be from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Events Center with a Mass at 10 a.m. Burial will be at the Buena Vista Burial Park.
Ortiz’s staff said the 101st Screaming Eagles Military Funeral Detachment will be sent to Brownsville to receive Menchaca and will remain until the funeral service. “They normally have 9 members, but 11 are being sent,” Ortiz’s staff said.