CERES, CA — On Friday, June 7, 2019, the Ceres Post Office, 2801 Mitchell Road, Ceres, CA 95307 will be dedicated to honor Lance Corporal Juana Navarro Arellano.

“We are very proud to have this facility honor the life and accomplishments of Lance Corporal Juana Navarro Arellano,” said Post Office Operations Manager Neil Gonzalez, who will be joined by Congressman Josh Harder and other dignitaries at the 11:00 a.m. ceremony.

Before his retirement, Denham introduced the legislation signed into law by President Donald Trump (H.R. 6405) on December 21, 2018, naming the building for Lance Corporal Juana Navarro Arellano Post Office Building, thereby paying tribute to a woman that bravely served her country.

Lance Corporal Juana Navarro Arellano was born in Mexico and became a U.S. Citizen at age 13 when her family moved to California. In 2001, she moved to Ceres with her mother along with four of her siblings. She graduated from Peter Johansen High School in Modesto and enlisted in the Marines in 2005. Initially stationed in Okinawa, Japan, she was transferred in 2006 to Iraq because of her specialization in bulk fuel. While guarding other soldiers during her mission in Iraq, she was mortally wounded with a gunshot to her head. She was 24 years old.

“As an immigrant, Juana represents the brave spirit of those who risk everything to come to our country, and as a Marine, she stands as an inspiration for all who go above and beyond the call of duty,” former Congressman Denham said when he introduced the bill.

Juana Navarro Arellano is survived by her parents, three sisters and two brothers.

The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses, and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.