Tucson park renamed for fallen soldier Barreras

Some 160 people — including Barreras’ family, friends, coaches and 25 of his fellow soldiers from Fort Bliss, Texas — paid their respects to the decorated career soldier on the eve of Veterans Day.

It was at this park, on South Campbell Avenue, south of East Drexel Road, where Barreras ran and stayed fit as a varsity offensive lineman for the Sunnyside High School Blue Devils.

So it was a fitting tribute to the 1982 graduate of Sunnyside to have the park renamed for his life and service to his country — a project that Marcos E. Moreno, a staff sergeant in the Arizona Army National Guard, worked on with school district officials since Barreras’ death.

Barreras, 49, died May 13 at San Antonio Military Medical Center after being wounded a week earlier in an Afghanistan province when enemy forces attacked his unit.

Barreras was described by his family’s minister, Pastor Randy Hammonds of GracePointe Evangelical Free Church, as a soldier who gave his life for others to have freedom. “He touched so many people’s lives in so many ways,” Hammonds recalled.

Barreras, nicknamed “Gunny” from his time in the Marines, had a military career that included 22 years as an Army Ranger and totaled 31 years of service.

He served in combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was involved in many special missions, including the 2003 rescue of prisoner of war Jessica Lynch. He was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso at the time of his death.

“Some of the soldiers that you see here today are a small representation of 2nd Battalion 5th Infantry, Bobcats,” said Sgt. 1st Class Albert Buchinski. He recalled how Barreras transformed and shaped the unit into a battalion that epitomized warriors.

“He passed on numerous Army and life lessons to each of us, from the ranks of private to lieutenant colonel,” said Buchinski, adding that the battalion thrived under Barreras’ mentorship.

“We will continue to live up to his expectations and share his leadership throughout the Army,” said Buchinski, explaining that is how Barreras will live on through all the soldiers. “We, Bobcats, will forever carry on his reputation.”

Barreras’ father, Ray, 70, smiled at the end of the evening. “This is a special honor for my kid. The community and the kids at Sunnyside got to see what he was all about, someone to be proud of.”

The park will now feature signs with Barreras’ name that were paid for by donations from around the world.