The city of Menifee is mourning the loss of one of their residents and veterans who died in the C-130 aircraft crash in Jalalabad, Afghanistan Thursday, Oct. 1. The crash killed 11 people including six U.S service members.
Chris Ruiz, a resident of Heritage Lake, was a Marine Corps veteran working as a civilian contractor in Afghanistan when his C-130 plane went down.
Mayor of Menifee and veteran, Scott Mann wrote in an email Sunday, "Please join me and other Menifee residents who have stepped up to the plate and make a donation to his family."
A page has been set up for donations to help Ruiz's family in their time of need.
https://www.gofundme.com/chrisruiz
According to media reports, the Taliban is claiming responsibility but U.S. Major Tony Wickman is disputing that claim.
To read more on the crash reported by Fox News and Associated Press click on headline below:
At least 11 dead after C-130 aircraft crashes in Afghanistan
According to the GoFundMe page, Chris has been serving his country for many years; first as a United States Marine and most recently as a civilian contractor in Afghanistan.
Chris, along with others, boarded a military transport plane early in the morning on Oct. 1. The plane experienced a malfunction and crashed leaving no survivors.
Chris is survived by his high school sweetheart Lorelyn, his three beautiful children; a five-year old daughter, a three-year old son, a one- year old daughter and his loving mother.
All proceeds will go to help his family.
The Ventura County Star reported ( http://bit.ly/1VxMSMD ) another California native was also one of 11 people killed in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, when the plane crashed during takeoff just after midnight.
Air Force Capt. Jonathan Joseph "JJ" Golden, 33, grew up in Camarillo and was based at Dyess Air Force Base near Abilene, Texas. The captain was piloting the C-130 as it crashed at Jalalabad Airfield. An unspecified number of people on the ground also were killed in the crash. Captain Joseph Golden was a husband and father of two children.