Rest in Peace Spc. Rudy Acosta

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

A reader sends in the photo below of Spc. Acosta on his way to his final resting place:

Image not recoveredacostaj.jpg

When a soldier or Marine from our town is killed in war, I always think back to a letter Abraham Lincoln wrote to a mom who lost her five sons in the Civil War, mainly because I have no idea what to say and I think President Lincoln said it all:

Dear Madam,–

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln

Here was the scene earlier today:

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Funeral Held For Army Spc. Rudy Acosta: MyFoxLA.com

Comments (9)

Lori RivasMarch 31, 2011 at 1:19 pm

That is a beautiful letter from Lincoln. Lyons and Orchard Village had a large gathering for the procession. God bless the Acosta family with comfort and peace.

lvogelMarch 31, 2011 at 1:28 pm

It’s a very hot day, and I found a tall shady eucalyptus tree to stand under while the motor procession went by. I stood there for over an hour waiting, because I didn’t want to miss it. It was with mixed emotions that I stood there to pay tribute to this young man and support his family and loved ones. My family was fortunate enough to welcome our daughter-in-law home from Afghanistan at the end of February. It was a complete surprise (that was my son and daughter’s intent!) and I couldn’t remember the last time I felt such joy and shock at the same time. It was a wonderful feeling and one that I wanted to hang on to. Rudy’s life was taken while serving our country; like so many of our young men and women. When I heard about his death, it wasn’t too long after we welcomed our daughter home. I remembered that feeling I had then, and tried to hold on to it. Today, I stood and felt sadness and pride, rather than shock and joy. I ached with sadness for the family and loved ones who will never hold Rudy in their arms again, and felt pride for this young man who made the ultimate sacrifice, as so many do for our country. I felt it was my duty to show this young man’s family that he mattered and we all care. We don’t know if our daughter will be deployed again; we hope not. Yet, knowing that she is doing something so brave and doing it with such pride, makes us proud. Thank you Army Spc. Rudy Acosta for your service and the love you brought to so many in your life. Thank you Acosta family and loved ones for allowing us to participate in honoring your son.

4eyedsueMarch 31, 2011 at 1:59 pm

What a beautiful expression of love and community today in SCV. We were at Newhall and Market (Veterans Historical Plaza). Amazing how love of country, political ideology and moral conviction all took a back seat. All that mattered in that moment was the heartache of a parent burying a nineteen year old boy.

KellyMarch 31, 2011 at 3:20 pm

It was very touching and you could see the family was grateful for the support from the community. The Patriot Guard was out in full force, sad that they even have to be there.

BertaMarch 31, 2011 at 3:31 pm

Well said Kelly.

Cheryl PhillipsMarch 31, 2011 at 3:45 pm

I went to the funeral procession today for Spc. Rudy Acosta because I could. I was proud of our City when I saw how many showed up in respect, to honor, to support and to just be there for his family. So many young children, yet you could have heard a pin drop at the corner of Lyons and Orchard Village Rd. Their parents brought them so that they might understand what respect, honor and commemoration mean. They also stood quietly holding their flags learning patience as they waited for the procession to pass. When it finally did, I have never experienced such a quiet and a stillness – reverence. I’m sure those children came home with a memory that will be etched in their minds forever – history of a sort in their community on this day saying goodbye to a 19 year old boy who served his country with honor. And we continue on…………………

PetzMarch 31, 2011 at 3:50 pm

Petz stood in the median south of Valencia on McBean with his good friend Kevin Korenthal. It was amazing how many of the drivers and passengers in the procession waved or mouthed the words “Thank You ” to us. It put tears in my eyes. It was a sad and sobering event to attend, but it reinforces the small town character retained in the Santa Clarita Valley and reminds me of why I chose to move here in 2000. Godspeed Rudy and this community loves and will continue to support your family.

Capt. GeneMarch 31, 2011 at 4:12 pm

Capt. Gene saw Petz there.

Capt. GeneMarch 31, 2011 at 3:54 pm

The service was very moving with friends and family sharing stories about Rudy. The most remarkable part for me was the turnout along the route. Thousands of people, people that never met Rudy or his family, out there in the heat with flags and hand made signs to honor Rudy and express their condolences to the family. When we passed Pinecrest it looked like the kids all had hand made flags…that’s where I lost it. The Pastor said it best at the interment: “I am moved beyond measure by our community”. Amen brother. My thanks to everyone that took the time to honor this exceptional young man.

Lori RivasMarch 31, 2011 at 1:19 pm
That is a beautiful letter from Lincoln. Lyons and Orchard Village had a large gathering for the procession. God bless the Acosta family with comfort and peace.
lvogelMarch 31, 2011 at 1:28 pm
It’s a very hot day, and I found a tall shady eucalyptus tree to stand under while the motor procession went by. I stood there for over an hour waiting, because I didn’t want to miss it. It was with mixed emotions that I stood there to pay tribute to this young man and support his family and loved ones. My family was fortunate enough to welcome our daughter-in-law home from Afghanistan at the end of February. It was a complete surprise (that was my son and daughter’s intent!) and I couldn’t remember the last time I felt such joy and shock at the same time. It was a wonderful feeling and one that I wanted to hang on to. Rudy’s life was taken while serving our country; like so many of our young men and women. When I heard about his death, it wasn’t too long after we welcomed our daughter home. I remembered that feeling I had then, and tried to hold on to it. Today, I stood and felt sadness and pride, rather than shock and joy. I ached with sadness for the family and loved ones who will never hold Rudy in their arms again, and felt pride for this young man who made the ultimate sacrifice, as so many do for our country. I felt it was my duty to show this young man’s family that he mattered and we all care. We don’t know if our daughter will be deployed again; we hope not. Yet, knowing that she is doing something so brave and doing it with such pride, makes us proud. Thank you Army Spc. Rudy Acosta for your service and the love you brought to so many in your life. Thank you Acosta family and loved ones for allowing us to participate in honoring your son.
4eyedsueMarch 31, 2011 at 1:59 pm
What a beautiful expression of love and community today in SCV. We were at Newhall and Market (Veterans Historical Plaza). Amazing how love of country, political ideology and moral conviction all took a back seat. All that mattered in that moment was the heartache of a parent burying a nineteen year old boy.
KellyMarch 31, 2011 at 3:20 pm
It was very touching and you could see the family was grateful for the support from the community. The Patriot Guard was out in full force, sad that they even have to be there.
BertaMarch 31, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Well said Kelly.
Cheryl PhillipsMarch 31, 2011 at 3:45 pm
I went to the funeral procession today for Spc. Rudy Acosta because I could. I was proud of our City when I saw how many showed up in respect, to honor, to support and to just be there for his family. So many young children, yet you could have heard a pin drop at the corner of Lyons and Orchard Village Rd. Their parents brought them so that they might understand what respect, honor and commemoration mean. They also stood quietly holding their flags learning patience as they waited for the procession to pass. When it finally did, I have never experienced such a quiet and a stillness – reverence. I’m sure those children came home with a memory that will be etched in their minds forever – history of a sort in their community on this day saying goodbye to a 19 year old boy who served his country with honor. And we continue on…………………
PetzMarch 31, 2011 at 3:50 pm
Petz stood in the median south of Valencia on McBean with his good friend Kevin Korenthal. It was amazing how many of the drivers and passengers in the procession waved or mouthed the words “Thank You ” to us. It put tears in my eyes. It was a sad and sobering event to attend, but it reinforces the small town character retained in the Santa Clarita Valley and reminds me of why I chose to move here in 2000. Godspeed Rudy and this community loves and will continue to support your family.
Capt. GeneMarch 31, 2011 at 4:12 pm
Capt. Gene saw Petz there.
Capt. GeneMarch 31, 2011 at 3:54 pm
The service was very moving with friends and family sharing stories about Rudy. The most remarkable part for me was the turnout along the route. Thousands of people, people that never met Rudy or his family, out there in the heat with flags and hand made signs to honor Rudy and express their condolences to the family. When we passed Pinecrest it looked like the kids all had hand made flags…that’s where I lost it. The Pastor said it best at the interment: “I am moved beyond measure by our community”. Amen brother. My thanks to everyone that took the time to honor this exceptional young man.