05/25/2024
As Memorial day approaches, Here is a a tribute to the Valley soldiers we lost in Iraq and Afghanistan...there were many! How could we ever thank them..my own son is included..
The Fallen 47( a Tribute to our RGV Fallen Soldiers)
Because of Nine Eleven,
Clouds of soldiers live in heaven .
For when our nation launched a war,
Many a hero, returned no more
Our country made a call to arms,
They came from cities , towns and farms.
Their sons and daughters volunteered
They never faltered, never feared.
The Rio Grand Valley too, did send,
Soldiers from cities named Pharr and Harlingen.
From Zapata, Brownsville and Weslaco,
Mission, Mercedes, San Juan , Alamo.
To Iraq and Afghanistan, off they went,
Where heroes like them,
Gave 100 percent!
Their mission and causes were never forgotten,
Let our purpose be now to remember our fallen.
One Sergeant Anguinano, of Los Fresnos in ’03
Three more in that year, totaled 4 casualties.
8 sergeants 3 corporals we lost in ‘04
And also one Major ,his last name was Moore.
Iraq was the country that claimed six more lives,
3 in one month, and 3 more in ’05.
The funerals continued, in ’06 there were 5.
Omar Flores of Mission, KIA in July.
The first month in ’07,2 died back to back.
Both soldiers were fighting in Baghdad, Iraq.
Corporal Anthony Aguirre, Juan Campos a Sergeant, and James L. Adair,
To heroes like these no one else can compare!
The big pearly gates opened wide to receive them,
They went home to their maker in the year of 07.
2 soldiers from Mission were gone in ’08,
Both served in Iraq ,when the two met their fate.
Alex Daniel Gonzalez was one of those two,
As my daughter’s best friend,He was someone we knew.
Bradley, Staff Sargeant,
Espinoza, last name,
Whose mother knows,
Her life won’t ever be the same.
Not hers and not mine,
Nor that one family,
Of Fernando de la Rosa, who fell in ’09.
2010, I will never forget,
When they came to inform me,
With much deep regret,
That my son Diego too , as a hero, had fallen.
To Derek Hernandez ,we have much to thank,
A soldier from Edinburg, a corporal in rank.
Adriana Alvarez, was a young PFC,
The count went up in number that year –
To three.
In 20/11 , 5 more called by heaven.
Kurt Kern in December, on day 27.
A specialist in rank, his home was Mcallen.
2012 came. With it 3 soldiers killed.
Frankhauser, Montenegro,
Gollnitz, from Brownsville.
The last Valley soldier ,
Whose home is now Heaven,
Finalizes this list,
With him makes 47.
Specialist Kevin Cardoza
from the US of A,
KIA, 20/13,
On the fourth day of May.
And so ends this tribute,
To our brave ,fallen heroes.
In our minds let it echo
All they gave to contribute
To our” land of the free,”
And ” the home of the brave,”
Who layed down their lives
and so valiantly gave!
From the Rio Grand Valley
Home of those 47,
Who live now with their Lord,
Who with THEM lives in heaven!
Written by:
Rosie Pena Guerra
A Gold Star Mother
