Rudy Salcido laid to rest

NORCO - The last time San Dimas resident Peter Salcido spoke to his son Rudy, who was serving in Iraq, was Nov. 8.

While they talked about the things they always did - working out and family - Peter felt he wanted to tell him something more.

But like all of his conversations with Rudy, he ended it with: "I love you, son. Be careful."

Rudy, as always, replied: "I love you, too, Pops."

The next day, the Ontario resident was killed after a roadside bomb exploded near his convoy vehicle in Baghdad.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Rudy Salcido was 31.

At the soldier's funeral Tuesday, Peter Salcido continued his conversation with his son at Church on the Hill in Norco.

"Rudy, my son, I will miss you so much," he said. "You had so much energy, so much passion."

Salcido enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2000 and served as an ammunitions specialist until 2005.

Two months after returning from Iraq, Salcido enlisted in the California National Guard in May 2005, and later volunteered to transfer to the 1114th Transportation Company out of Bakersfield so he could be deployed to Iraq.

"He was a man's man from the beginning," cousin Joseph Tolle told hundreds of family members, friends and military personnel gathered Tuesday.

Family members remembered Salcido as a man whose passion for the Army led to his third tour in Iraq.

"I would like to thank Rudy Salcido," Tolle said, "for sacrificing his life for the betterment of his family, wife, child, country and God."

Salcido went to Iraq the last time in July, just three days after getting married.

"My son was a soldier," Peter Salcido said. "He died doing what he loved so we could live free from oppression."

After the church service, attendees were escorted to the Riverside National Cemetery, where Salcido was honored further for his service.

Officials presented Salcido's family with six awards, including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

"He was a brave man," Peter Salcido said, "and I could not be prouder."

Salcido is survived by his mother and stepfather, Maybelle and Anthony Luevano; father and stepmother, Peter and Kathy Salcido; wife, Jennifer; and daughter, Gabriella, 14.

Salcido is the 21st soldier from the Inland Valley who has been killed in Afghanistan or Iraq. As of Tuesday, 2,866 soldiers have died in the war, according to the Department of Defense.

From the Daily Bulletin

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