Today a lot of people are mourning the death of two cultural icons, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.
I’m not one of them.
I don’t have anything ill to say about either one of them…but their deaths mean very little to me.
Their friends and families are understandably mourning. But I don’t get the wall-to-wall media frenzy that has almost immediately ensued.
I guess I’m feeling this way because just before hearing about Farrah’s death, I found out about the death of somebody much more important to me: Sgt. Joshua W. Soto of San Angelo, TX.
FORT BLISS, Texas — A 25-year-old Army sergeant stationed at Fort Bliss died in Iraq on Tuesday, the Department of Defense confirms.
Sgt. Joshua W. Soto died of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle, officials said.
Fort Bliss officials said Soto was originally from San Angelo, Texas, but the Fresno Bee newspaper reports Soto was from Avenal, California.
Soto is survived by his wife and child.
He joined the Army in November 2002 and was deployed on his third tour in Iraq in April. Soto earned various commendations during his service, including a Purple Heart. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart, Fort Bliss officials said.
In fact, Sgt. Soto’s death is much more important to all of us than is the death of Fawcett of Jackson.
But lost in the news cycle today will be any coverage or mention of another American Soldier who gave his life so that others might live free and in peace.
So, while the rest of the world mourns Fawcett and Jackson, you’ll have to excuse me while I save my mourning for a fellow Soldier, a native Texan, and a true American hero in Sgt. Soto.
Your grief is well placed, and I agree.
While Farrah was a good ol’Texas gal, and UT grad, her death was imminent, and certainly a sad day for her loved ones.
As for Sgt. Soto, his duty and sacrifice far exceed any value to the way of life we have, over Hollyweird.
May God be with Sgt. Soto and his family.
Well said and Amen.
…could not agree more…SGT Soto pays the ultimate price for all of us- there is little note of it and less concern…meanwhile, the empty- talking-heads “reporters” quickly begin to generate their endless cycle of shallow, meaningless sound bites; not unlike dumping chum into the water to attract sharks- all of it designed to increase advertising-driven ratings…
I absolutely agree…I am completely appalled that the media & so many people make a bigger deal out of celebrities passing away than all the sacrifices of so many military members & their families! If only there was as much appreciation for every man & woman who has died & still fights today protecting our freedoms as there is for celebrities…Our Nation would be a better Nation in my opinion. MAY HE TRULY REST IN PEACE & GOD BE WITH HIS FRIENDS & FAMILIES!
Thank you, Sgt. Soto, for your service and ultimate sacrifice. May you rest in peace.
[...] wonder if Rep. Lee is aware of the death of native Texan Sgt. Joshua Soto of San Angelo, who was killed in action in Iraq on the same day that Michael Jackson’s drug [...]
This if for the family of Sgt. Soto, I’m deeply sorry for the lost of your soldier. The media is unbelivable. Our soldiers should make headlines, for they are the ones who give those anchors,newscasters, etc the freedom to sit there and report. I am greatly outraged & Washington should step in cause every soldier deserves to be known! Fawcett, Jackson!?!?! What have they done for our nation!?!?
I agree and since I personally knew him I was very upset to only see news on Jackson and Fawcett and not a word about Josh.