Pfc. Marcos M. Rodriguez left the friendly confines of home to join the war effort – like
thousands of Valley boys did after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Within weeks he found himself facing the darkest moments of war. There he was rubbing elbows with his colleagues - who like he, were wearing various expressions of alarm.
His life was cut short on January 30, 1945.
His life was cut short on January 30, 1945.
It was a very sad day when he returned, as his family witnessed his flag-draped casket make its way to Buena Vista Cemetery.
Pat Ford, who was among the crowd, described the day of Marcos’ funeral that warm afternoon as the sun’s rays streamed through the stained-glass windows as Rodriguez’s casket made its way to face his final sunset.
Aside from his wife and now widow, Maria de los Angeles and his aged mother Maria Elida, he was bid farewell by his son, and now orphan, Marcos Jr., and a six-block-long funeral cortege of his grateful fellow Brownsville residents.
All movement to his final resting place was precise and in rhythm as the uniformed American
Legion representatives, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the regular U.S. Army escorts accompanied the casket of the returning veteran.
His first stop of his somber journey was at the Immaculate Conception Church. There, Father
William Caldwell chanted the age-old prayers for the dead over the closed casket. A subdued audience, Catholic and non-Catholic, filled the pews of the church, and in dead silence, displayed their endless gratitude for his service.
At the grave site, it was a picturesque scene, as all who were there, took their place to say their last good bye. Father Caldwell, sheltered by a large open sighted tent, intoned the brief burial service.
As the final syllables of prayer came to an end, the focus than turned to the nearby roadway, where the firing squad shattered the stillness of the afternoon with three sharp volleys.
Pat Ford, who was among the crowd, described the day of Marcos’ funeral that warm afternoon as the sun’s rays streamed through the stained-glass windows as Rodriguez’s casket made its way to face his final sunset.
Aside from his wife and now widow, Maria de los Angeles and his aged mother Maria Elida, he was bid farewell by his son, and now orphan, Marcos Jr., and a six-block-long funeral cortege of his grateful fellow Brownsville residents.
All movement to his final resting place was precise and in rhythm as the uniformed American
Legion representatives, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the regular U.S. Army escorts accompanied the casket of the returning veteran.
His first stop of his somber journey was at the Immaculate Conception Church. There, Father
William Caldwell chanted the age-old prayers for the dead over the closed casket. A subdued audience, Catholic and non-Catholic, filled the pews of the church, and in dead silence, displayed their endless gratitude for his service.
At the grave site, it was a picturesque scene, as all who were there, took their place to say their last good bye. Father Caldwell, sheltered by a large open sighted tent, intoned the brief burial service.
As the final syllables of prayer came to an end, the focus than turned to the nearby roadway, where the firing squad shattered the stillness of the afternoon with three sharp volleys.
From beyond the firing squad stood a soldier, grabbing the attention as he played a stunning rendition of “Taps.” A second bugler distance away from the cemetery followed with the U.S service farewell.
He was the first Brownsville veteran returned from an overseas cemetery. He was buried for almost two years in Belgium, before he was removed and transferred to Brownsville.
In December of 1947, his body came home. Herald staff writer, Malcolm Yates eloquently
reminded us that his coming home was a sign of the sacrifice this nation made in defense of
freedom.
In coming home Rodriguez reminded us that this great republic must not compromise, must
not appease, must be strong and prepared, and must eternally resolve to defend the great principles of liberty and the peace of which he so nobly died for.
(Do we) find the cost of freedom, buried in the ground
Mother earth will swallow you, lay your body down
Find the cost of freedom, buried in the ground
Mother earth will swallow you, lay your body down
8 comments:
A sad but beautiful Story
One of many of Brownsville's Home Town heroes
Marcos fought bravely for our Flag! Thank you for defending democracy.
For those that died in battle, and those that came back wounded, let's not forget about them and their families who fought in the trenches on the homefront
From the words of Nathan Hale. " I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
Coming home, thank you, to the Rodriguez family for giving up a son, father and a solder so that all of us can live in freedom.
Thank you Juan for the post and for remembering our hometown heroes...of which there are many.
Juanito always ahead of everbody GRACIAS...
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