UPDATED: Fallen Canyon Country soldier remembered as a 'good kid'
Death of Pfc. Rudy A. Acosta, 19, under investigation
5 Comments
Posted: March 20, 2011 10:12 p.m.
Updated: March 21, 2011 11:59 a.m.
By Tammy Marashlian
Signal Assistant City Editor
COMMENT
SHARE
Courtesy photo
Rudy A. Acosta, of Canyon Country, completed Army basic training Aug. 11, 2009, and was deployed to Afghanistan on June 10, 2010. Pfc. Acosta was killed March 19, 2011 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.
View Larger
View More » 1 2 3
Fallen soldier Rudy A. Acosta, 19, of Canyon Country, was remembered Monday as a dedicated Christian, a fun-loving person and a man who wanted to honor God and his family.
“I think the military was really an extension of who Rudy was,” said Senior Pastor Scott Basolo of Santa Clarita Baptist Church, where the Acosta family has attended for more than a decade. “He was a servant. He wasn’t interested in personal gain.”
Acosta, a combat medic, died Saturday in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he and Cpl. Donald R. Mickler Jr., 29, of Ohio, were allegedly shot with small-arms fire by an individual from a military security group, according to a statement from the Department of Defense.
They were assigned to the 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany.
The incident is under investigation, according to the statement.
The Acosta family was notified of their son’s death Saturday afternoon, Basolo said.
Acosta’s family spent the weekend and Monday in Delaware receiving their son’s body.
After graduating from Santa Clarita Christian School in 2009, Acosta completed Army basic training on Aug. 11, 2009, and was deployed to Afghanistan on June 10. He served as a health care specialist.
“He believed he had a great opportunity to serve and contribute to his fellow man in the military,” Basolo said.
Acosta came home during the holidays earlier this year, and attended Santa Clarita Baptist Church for a Sunday service.
“He said he wanted all of us to continue to be fervent in prayer for the people of Afghanistan,” Basolo recalled. “He asked that we pray for them.”
On Sunday, Santa Clarita Baptist Church held a special service that included a slide show of Acosta and a sermon by Basolo.
Steve Dixon first met Acosta’s father, Dante, 16 years ago through the local Rotary Club. He soon got to know the entire family when it joined Santa Clarita Baptist Church.
He remembered Acosta as a “good kid” who smiled a lot and was extremely determined.
“He wanted to live a life that honored God and honored his parents,” Dixon said.
During his years at Santa Clarita Christian, Basolo played on the volleyball and football teams.
Santa Clarita Christian held a special ceremony Monday, with students and staff, to talk about Acosta. Acosta’s brother and sister attend Santa Clarita Christian.
“We can’t bring Rudy back, but we can serve the Acosta family with honor,” a letter from Principal Derek Swales reads. “Just as Rudy served our school, our city and our country!”
The school also recognized Acosta’s parents, Carolyn and Dante, who have been involved with Santa Clarita Christian for 13 years.
“The Acostas sent pictures to the (Santa Clarita Christian School) faculty of two caskets wrapped with the flag of the United States of America,” a letter from Principal Derek Swales reads. “Seeing our beautiful flag wrapped around his son’s casket was, in father Dante Acosta’s words, ‘brutal.’”
Garrick Moss got to know Rudy Acosta when Acosta was in seventh grade as part of the youth group.
“He just loves life and loves people,” said Moss, Santa Clarita Christian’s football and baseball coach and youth director at Santa Clarita Baptist. “He’s just a godly young man.”
As part of his military leave earlier this year, Acosta visited Santa Clarita Christian to speak to history classes about his experience, Moss said.
“He genuinely had a love for God that showed through how he treated others,” Moss said.
Acosta was about six weeks away from finishing his tour, Moss said. He was hoping to come home before spending time in Germany.
“He was all excited about the chance to see Europe,” Moss said.
He eventually wanted to go into the medical field.
“I truly think of Rudy as a hero,” Moss said.
Comments
hermosabch:
Posted: March 21, 2011
11:03 a.m.
You are a true hero Pfc. Acosta!!! You paid the ultimate price so freedom can endure. May your family find peace and strength at this time of need. RIP dear sweet Rudy!
Denise:
Posted: March 21, 2011
12:21 p.m.
Our church family grieves with the Acosta family in the death of their son Rudy. But all of us also rejoice in knowing that Rudy, who was strong Christian, went to be with the Lord. Our hearts break with the Acostas,yet we do not mourn as with those who have no hope; the Lord is our strength.
We also grieve over the lost of fellow solider Donald Mickler Jr.,of Ohio, who was killed in the ambush with Rudy. These things are more difficult when they hit so close to home.
Thank you for posting this announcement in The Signal. Our hometown boy died with honor, and our city should be proud.
aSCVmom:
Posted: March 21, 2011
8:04 p.m.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Acosta family.
verakb:
Posted: March 22, 2011
12:02 a.m.
If I could only find the words to express how special this young man was...the loss is incredibly devastating, for his many school friends and those of us who had the honor to know him. His heart was in helping others - he was a medic who wanted to heal the wounded - and he served with fearless enthusiasm and dedication. I can't believe that this has happened, and that he is gone. Our hearts just ache. We are grateful to know, as he believed, that he is with Jesus, and we will see him again one day. Please pray for the Acosta family as they deal with their deep sorrow. A mother or father can only imagine what this family must be suffering.
HeIsEverything:
Posted: March 22, 2011
10:35 p.m.
Rudy was a true hero in many ways. Just 7 weeks ago while on leave, at a party at our house, a giant slide bouncer tipped over and into the pool trapping at least 5 or 6 boys. Rudy and another boy remained calm and pulled everyone from the freezing water. A few boys were at the bottom of the pile (under water) and taking in water. It was at night where visibility was very low. By the grace of God no one was hurt. We were in awe that such an accident resulted in no serious injuries. There’s more to the story, but we are thankful for the calm head that Rudy and the other boy displayed. I had the privilege to know Rudy as he is a close friend of my son, and as the assistant volleyball coach at SCCS. On the volleyball team, I don’t think anyone worked harder or sweated more than Rudy. He gave it everything he had. Rudy was passionate about everything he did. He was an extremely respectful young man who I was privileged to know. He will be sorely missed, never forgotten, and we will see him again in Glory.
No comments:
Post a Comment