Rudy Salcido remembered as his remains return home

ONTARIO - It was the homecoming San Dimas resident and father Peter Salcido feared most.

And it was a homecoming filled with mourning, hugs and tears.

A plane-side ceremony on Friday at Ontario International Airport met the body of Sgt. 1st Class Rudy Salcido, a 31-year-old California National Guard and La Puente native who died earlier this month in Iraq.

For the family members, the death of their hero didn't become a reality until they saw his casket.

"I'm still in denial," said wife, Jennifer, 29, before his body arrived. "I just want him home."

Salcido was assigned to the Army National Guard's 1114th Transportation Company. This was his third tour in Iraq.

The family waited in a private room before the 7:29 p.m. flight landed Friday. This was the first time they would see Salcido since he was deployed to Iraq in July, just three days after he married Jennifer.

The family laughed as they shared memories of Salcido, and cried at their loss.

"Rudy would always tell me, `Buck up,soldier,' " said mother Maybelle Luevano. "And he would probably tell me that now."
More than 15 family members walked out on the loading dock and watched the plane as the cargo door opened.

"I just want to see him," said Jennifer Salcido, who sobbed as her uncle and her mother held her in their arms.

The passengers of United Flight 1441 peered out the windows of the plane, which arrived from Denver, as soldiers unloaded the cargo from beneath.

Salcido, who relatives say loved his country, the Army, and his family, died Nov. 9 in Baghdad after an improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy vehicle, according to the Department of Defense.

"I just (want) everyone to know how much he loved our country," Luevano said.

Once the family got the cue, they approached the casket that sat between the plane, the hearse, and an assortment of federal and local government agencies.

Jennifer Salcido cried as she hugged the casket, draped with an American flag.

Peter Salcido touched the stars of the flag, a symbol that his son honored and respected.

"You feel his spirit," Peter Salcido said after touching the casket. "While it's only his body, you don't want to let go."

From the Daily Bulletin

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