Reprint from the Progress Times - April 4, 2008
©Progress Times 2008 - All Rights Reserved

 

Mission soldier comes home

By Jim Brunson

The day was dreary and the mood somber as family and veterans gathered to receive the body of Cpl. Jose A. Rubio of Mission.

Under overcast skies a small, lone plane landed just after 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 1, at the private McCreery Aviation facility located next to McAllen Miller International Airport.

The chartered plane, rather than a commercial flight, and the private facility were chosen to afford the fallen soldier greater dignity and respect as he arrived home for the last time. Only the pilot and the escort rode in the plane with Rubio from Dover Air Force Base to McAllen.

The family waited patiently in a hangar, respectfully separated from the media that gathered behind a chain link fence some 300 feet away.

The U.S. Army Honor Guard, in full dress uniform, marched sharply, yet somberly up the tarmac, approaching the plane. A long, black hearse moved slowly into place a few yards from the plane.

All watched in reverent silence as the flag-draped casket was gently lowered from the aircraft to the ground where the Honor Guard waited to receive one of their own.

Soon the fallen soldier’s widow, Jennifer, and not quite one-year-old son, Nikolai, were escorted to view the long-awaited casket. His parents followed.

The Honor Guard, in a well-rehearsed pattern, lifted the casket and carried their comrade to the awaiting hearse. All was silent. Only the unison footsteps of the pallbearers could be heard.

Just outside the gate where the hearse would exit, fellow former soldiers—Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 856, America’s Last Patrol and the Patriot Guard Riders—snapped to attention and saluted as the police motorcycle escort led the procession from the airstrip.

The black hearse rolled quietly by.

The procession moved slowly toward Mission and the funeral home that had been prepared for the soldier’s reception. Some motorists quietly pulled over, showing respect for this honored son.

In downtown Mission, a long row of mourners lined Conway Ave., awaiting his arrival. Each waved a flag—the flag that Rubio died defending. Bankers, store clerks, business owners, adult day care residents and veterans—the community welcomed their fallen hero home.

It was a somber day in Mission as a fallen soldier returned home for the last time.

Mission gathers to honor Rubio

Mission officials, residents and people from around the Valley gathered last Friday night, March 28, to hold a vigil for U.S. Army Spc. Jose Rubio who was killed in Iraq on Sunday, March 23 by a roadside bomb in Baghdad.

City Flower Shop on Conway hosted a little less than 200 well-wishers as Mission police closed lanes to let those in attendance gather in the street.

After a prayer and renditions of "The Star Spangled Banner" as well as "Amazing Grace," a flag was presented to the family which was promptly raised on the pole in front of the flower shop, owned by Rubio’s widow, Jennifer’s family.

In front of the flag raised to half mast, U.S. Senator John Cornyn spoke.

"Words cannot help but be sad at a time like this. Jose Rubio, a soldier, brother, father and a son has been taken from our midst. But I can’t help but think that in the loss of this heroic man we cannot help but be proud of Jose Rubio and what he believed in," said Cornyn. It is my great honor on this sad occasion to celebrate the life of a great patriot; someone we can’t help but admire and respect, someone who gave the last full measure of devotion for the values upon which this great country was founded."

After delivering his words of consolation Cornyn assured the Rubio family that he would do everything in his power to make sure that Jose Rubio would posthumously be recognized as a citizen of the United States.

Texas Representative Veronica Gonzalez also spoke of how emotional the day was.

"Today is a sad day as we mourn the loss of a beautiful young life," said Gonzalez. “It is also a very happy day because as you see you have the strength of family, community and many here who loved Joe Rubio. We often say that we give thanks to our soldiers for going abroad. This is when we are put to the test."

Leo Olivarez said a few words on behalf of Mission Mayor Beto Salinas, who could not attend the vigil.

"As a veteran myself and many veterans that are here now, when we sign that paper and when we put on that uniform we have the duty to protect our nation," said Olivarez. "He is a hero and we love him very much."

Mission Police, Mission Fire Department, and representatives from the Hidalgo County Constable’s office, Precinct 3 and the Border Patrol were all in attendance.