Posted on 04/15/2003 6:44:41 PM PDT by FryingPan101
Pvt. Ruben Estrella-Soto Jr. would have turned 19 in eight days.
Instead of celebrating the young man's life, the traditional Mexican birthday song, "Las Mañanitas" became a tearful tribute to the fallen Fort Bliss soldier Monday at his funeral Mass at San Juan Diego Catholic Church in far East El Paso.
More than 1,000 mourners poured out their hearts in a rendition that caused uncontrolled sorrow and grief. As they sang the joyous verses of the song, a casket draped in white held a young man who joined the military to make something of himself and who wanted to wear a soldier's uniform.
Flowers and a picture of Estrella-Soto in uniform accompanied the casket.
The singing was as emotional as the final roll call at a memorial Friday at Fort Bliss, where his name was called out three times by a command sergeant major and went unanswered along with the names of the other eight soldiers killed in an ambush on March 23 near the Iraqi city of Nasiriyah. The nine soldiers were members of the 507th Maintenance Company.
Estrella-Soto, who graduated from Mountain View High School last year, was an automated logistics specialist for the unit and was described as a man ready to carry out his duties and willing to go to war.
David Sanchez, his cousin, said Estrella-Soto's relatives from Mexico were grateful for this country.
"We are really proud to be here. Ruben died a hero," he said. "He died fighting for the freedom of the Iraqis."
An aunt, Leticia Soto, said her nephew was proud of being in the military.
"When he came back from boot camp, he was very happy," she said. "He was so proud of wearing his uniform. He wanted to be a soldier. It hurts us that he was a soldier for such a short time."
His funeral drew former school mates, strangers, parents of soldiers, veterans and elected officials, including Mayor Ray Caballero and U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas.
Ernesto Ortega, a Korean War veteran, said he was compelled to attend the services.
"He gave the ultimate sacrifice," Ortega said, choking up. "We have to appreciate that."
The Rev. Ed Roden-Lucero, the family parish priest who led the rosary Sunday and celebrated the funeral Mass, eulogized Estrella-Soto as a man of faith and vision and asked his friends to find inspiration in his life.
Roden-Lucero called on Clint Independent School District officials to name a school after the fallen soldier.
After the services, Estrella-Soto, who was born in Chihuahua and later became a U.S. citizen, was laid to rest at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with his parents, Ruben and Amalia, sister Cynthia, brother Edgar, fiance Sonia Romero and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles in attendance.
Under blue skies, the shots of a 21-gun salute by members of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery Regiment pierced the air. A gentle breeze accompanied the lone bugler playing taps. The minute taps started, his mother, with two carnations in her hand, stood in her own form of standing at attention. Within seconds, his father did the same and placed his right hand over his heart.
The flag that once draped her son's casket was presented to Estrella-Soto's mother.
Brig. Gen. John A. Yingling, commanding general of the antidrug Joint Task Force 6, presented the parents with the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He told Estrella-Soto's parents: "On behalf of a grateful nation and the president of the United States, it is my honor to present these awards to you in recognition of your son's valor."
Ignorant reporter. Three rifle volleys, not a 21-gun salute.
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