Fallen Soldier Returns to South Texas – Motorcade To Travel I-35 This Afternoon
A soldier from San Marcos, who died in the line of duty overseas, returns to South Texas today. Air Force officials say the body of US Army Captain Paul Pena will arrive at Randolph Air Force Base at 1 this afternoon. Residents at Randolph will then line Harmon Drive on the Air Base as his remains begin the trek to San Marcos before memorial services begin on Thursday. Once off the military base this afternoon, the motorcade will travel east on FM 78, then turn north on FM 3009, before turning onto Northbound I-35 and heading to San Marcos, to the Pennington Funeral Home on North Comanche Street. Residents along that route are encouraged to come out and line the street to show their support for the fallen soldier and his family. Pena and another soldier died last week in Afghanistan while their unit was on patrol, when an improvised explosive device detonated, killing the two soldiers, and injuring 5 others. The Pena family will receive friends at a visitation scheduled for 5 to 7pm Thursday, just prior to a 7pm memorial service, at the San Marcos Baptist Academy on Ranch Road 12. Funeral services are scheduled for Friday morning at 11 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in San Antonio, followed by burial, with full military honors, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
