Funeral of U.S. Army medic Rudy A. Acosta
SANTA CLARITA, Calif.—U.S. Army medic and Santa Clarita Christian School graduate Rudy A. Acosta, 19, was killed March 19 in combat in Afghanistan. The young soldier completed Army basic training Aug. 11, 2009, and was deployed to Afghanistan on June 10, 2010. According to Pastor Scott Basolo of Santa Clarita Baptist Church, Rudy’s father, Dante, told him that his son was 58 days from the end of his deployment in Afghanistan and was scheduled to return to Germany with his platoon.
Pastor Basolo was at the Acostas’ home when he saw firsthand the outpouring of love for the family by many people. “Rudy was just a very amazing young man,” said Pastor Basolo, noting that he excelled, he was part of a championship football team, and was involved in “a ton of extracurricular activities.”
Pastor Basolo said that Dante also shared an e-mail he received from one of Rudy’s fellow soldiers, who told Rudy’s father that he was praying for the family, what a great guy Rudy was, and that he had some pictures that he would forward to him. “He thought it was good that there was another Christian guy who took the time to write him and went on with his day,” Basolo explained.
“Then about 2:30 in the afternoon, officers arrived at their door to tell them of Rudy’s death.”
Basolo said that the morning’s e-mail took on a whole new meaning to the grieving father. “Rudy had such heart for our country. He wanted to be a medic, to help people, be out in the field with them, and help share the Lord with them in case they were out there and near the end of their lives. He found out it was much more difficult than he anticipated. There weren’t many Christians in the unit he was assigned to, and the last thing they were concerned about was their verbiage. He had a real passion to evangelize to the people he encountered.”
Chaplain John Murdoch, director of Regular Baptist Chaplaincy Ministries, says, “The Acosta family has given our fellowship of churches and our nation the greatest gift any family could give, their son, Rudy, for our freedom. Freedom is never free! Our physical freedom has been purchased by the blood of Specialist Rudy Acosta and those who served before him. Our spiritual freedom has been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ. Never forget the price of freedom!
“The churches and chaplains of the GARBC are deeply grateful for the service and testimony of Specialist Rudy Acosta. Our prayers are with the Acosta family, their friends, and his fellow soldiers. May God give comfort and grace to the Acosta family and the members and friends of Santa Clarita Baptist Church and Christian School.”
For more of the story, including photos of the thousands who attended a community memorial parade tribute to Rudy, see:
