Army Reserve Pfc. David M. Garcia has been mobilized and activated for deployment overseas to a forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq. Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq.

Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy.

Garcia, a military police member with one years of military service, is normally assigned to the 340th Military Police Company, Bayside, N.Y.

He is the son of David Garcia of University Ave., Bronx, N.Y., and the nephew of Oneida Murphy of Pine Trail, Carmel, N.Y.

His wife, Nicole, is the daughter of John Grioli of Smith St., Patterson, N.Y. and Margarette Grioli of Cambridge Ave., Garden City.

The private is a 2005 graduate of Carmel High School.