Fallen Soldier’s Friends Recall Valor, Compassion and Family Strength

Just days before the funeral services for , 24, a former Waukesha resident who died in Afghanistan on Feb. 20, friends recall him as a respectful, selfless young man whose family strength contributed to his fine character.

Ken Sutton of Milwaukee said he and his wife Sherry lived just a mile from Hidalgo’s parents, Jorge and Andrea, when they lived in Waukesha. Hidalgo attended Kettle Moraine High School until the family moved to Pennsylvania, and he graduated from U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2009.

“It was a very close family, one that had dinner together on a regular basis, and even though the siblings (Jared, Miles and Carmen) separated through different career paths and military, they always got together for holidays in different parts of the country,” Sutton said. “I always think of the Hidalgos as a very thoughtful, God-fearing family with good moral values.”

Sutton also said Jorge Hidalgo, a retired captain in the U.S. Army, is a jovial and happy individual who inspired others. 

“I worked with him for several years, and he was always very hard working and diligent,” Sutton said. “His three sons who went into the military did that for respect for their father, as well as for their country.”

Hidalgo showed respect in other ways too, Sutton said, recalling when he saw the then-high school freshman during one of his wrestling matches.

“He was a performer, he attacked everything the way he attacked his wresting,” Sutton said. “But one minute he was very aggressive on the mat and the next moment he was very polite, with ‘yes sir, yes ma’am.’”

Sutton said Hidalgo’s death is heartbreaking.

 “He was a fine young man, and we should all have children we admire as much as I’m sure Andrea and Jorge admire Daren,” Sutton said.

The family knew death was a possibility and Jorge Hidalgo discussed it with his sons when they entered into harm’s way, Sutton said.

“He asked them what they would want if they were killed, and Daren said he wanted to be buried at West Point, and his father has arranged for that to happen,” Sutton said. “Once again, it’s a father communicating to his son. “

John Lowry, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel, has known the Hidalgo family for 10 years and said Hidalgo was “the warmest, most positive, generous guy you could meet."

"He was very accomplished in so many ways, but he was a very modest guy,” Lowry said.

In a separate incident, Hidalgo was wounded 17 days before , Lowry said, and he was given an opportunity to have surgery on his injuries but refused because he wanted to stay in action with his men.

“That probably would have kept him alive had he done that, but he wanted to stay with his men,” Lowry said. “That tells you the selflessness he embodied. He is America at its very best.”

• Hidalgo’s visitation is being held from 11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Wednesday at St. Anthony on the Lake Catholic Church, W280 N2101 Highway SS, Pewaukee, WI 53072. A remembrance presentation will begin at 3:45 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be at 4 p.m. Burial will be in West Point Cemetery in New York later this week.
•  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Daren M. Hidalgo Memorial Fund. It will be used for future scholarships and support of wounded soldiers. Donations can be made at any US Bank in the country. Mailing address is: US Bank 2040 W. Silvernail Road, Pewaukee, WI 53072. For further information please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation, & Preplanning Services at 262-547-4035.