Breaking news!!! The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are happening to Other People, Elsewhere, on TV!!! No need to concern yourself!

Portland, Oregon--I am dedicating today’s posts to the memory of Army Specialist Arturo Huerta – Cruz, who was killed in action April 14, 2008.

Arturo Huerta-Cruz died April 14 in Tuz, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. Two of his fellow soldiers were also injured in the attack.

Arturo Huerta-Cruz was a 21-year-old citizen of Mexico who enlisted in the United States Army in May 2006, hoping to become a U.S. citizen.

He is survived by his parents, who live in Clearwater, Florida.

He completed basic and advanced individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

He was assigned to the 10th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, Fort Drum, New York in October, 2006.

He deployed to Iraq in November 2007 and served in the Kirkuk area of northern Iraq.

His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

He is survived by his parents, also of Clearwater.

The Army is considering granting him U.S. citizenship posthumously, certain to make his parents proud.

It goes to show that a Mexican citizen can become a U.S. citizen if he gets in the right line.

He is not a relative of mine and I do not know him or his family.

Three years ago today, we buried my son Aaron, who was also in a flag-draped casket.

Eight hours after we buried his brother, my other son Tyler was on his way back to the war for another year. He has yet to come home.

Here’s the link to the Guest book for Arturo Huerta-Cruz:

http://www.legacy.com/gb/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonID=107736262