Important American Figure Dies

Some people come into this world and have no idea the affect they will have on their fellow man. Some people work very hard to be the best they can at something and put everything that have into it. They pick a course in life and don’t give up until they’ve reached their goals. Today, we mourn the passing of one such important American figure. Someone who has done so much for this country. But, I have a feeling most of you probably don’t know of whom I’m speaking…

It has nothing to do with NBC Commentator Tim Russert!! But I have a feeling, you still won’t see his story on any evening newscast.

By Simon Read
East County Times

Sgt. John D. Aragon of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) died in Kadamiyah, northwest of Baghdad, from wounds suffered when his Humvee struck an improvised explosive device, military officials said in a news release.

A 2004 Antioch High School graduate, Aragon entered the U.S. Army in March 2006, his family said.

“He just always wanted to be in the Army,” said his mother, Denise, a pair of her son’s dogtags hanging around her neck. “He went to the recruitment office when he was still a senior in high school without telling me. I found out and made him go to (Los Medanos) College for a year and then make a decision.

“I told him maybe you’ll meet the girl you’re going to marry. You don’t know what will happen.”

The extra year did nothing to diminish Aragon’s passion for the military. After arriving at Ft. Campbell, Ky., he called his parents.

“He said, ‘I love the Army and the Army loves me,’” Denise Aragon said. “The two just clicked.”

An American flag hangs outside the Aragon family home on Gentrytown Drive. A black flag with a white eagle’s head, the emblem of the 101st Airborne, hangs by the front door. Aragon shipped out to Iraq on Oct. 16, 2007.

Denise Aragon said she naturally feared for her son but kept her apprehension to herself.

“If he knew I was scared, then he would have worried,” she said.

Aragon’s father, John, said his son wanted to be near the action.

“He would say, ‘A true soldier is a fighting foot soldier.’ We wouldn’t watch the news; we’d never turn on CNN. It was always this many soldiers were killed today, or that many killed.”

Aragon, a diehard Oakland Raiders fan with the team name tattooed above his heart, purchased an Iraqi cell phone and a long-distance calling card and phoned home once a week. Although proud to serve in the military, he did not harbor any romantic notions of war.

“He’d tell us it was pure hell,” John Aragon Sr. said. “Those were his words: ‘pure hell.’”

His family did what they could to provide him the comforts of home, sending care packages with brown sugar Poptarts (one of his favorites), granola bars and canned oysters. During his last conversation with his mother on June 4, he said he’d be home next month for 18 days and asked for a packet of Flaming Hot Cheetos.

“We never got to send them,” Denise Aragon said.

Rendered “numb” by the loss of their only son, both parents said they are proud of what he accomplished, including the rank of sergeant in two years.

“It just made me beam,” said Aragon’s father. “I went and told all of my friends. I was extremely proud.”

Mayor Donald Freitas said the thoughts and prayers of the city are with Aragon’s family.

“His death brings the war closer to home,” Freitas said. “It makes it more realistic. This is not an esoteric subject — it’s more real.”

Councilman Arne Simonsen, a 24-year Naval veteran whose son served in the first Gulf War, said such tragic news is always hard to bear.

“As a veteran, it’s something that’s always on your mind,” he said. “It’s something none of us ever want to deal with.”

Said Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in a written statement: “Sgt. John Aragon served with bravery and loyalty to his country and fellow soldiers. His devotion to service is an inspiration for all Americans, and his sacrifice will not be forgotten.”

Aragon is the second serviceman from Antioch to die in Iraq. On Sept. 24, 2005, Sgt. Daniel Scheile, 37, died from injuries he received while patrolling in southeastern Baghdad when a roadside bomb exploded near his armored vehicle. Scheile was with the Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry.

Aragon is the 12th serviceman from Contra Costa County killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Simon Read covers Antioch. Reach him at 925-779-7166, or sread@bayareanewsgroup.com. Staff writer Paul Burgarino contributed to this story.

At what point is a “celebrity” worthy of having flags flown at half mast while a true American hero like SGT Aragon is left to go unnoticed to the American public except as a number? When has Tim Russert stuck his life on the line for that flag? The city didn’t fly their flags at half mast when PFC Tamario D. Burkett died on March 23, 2003. They didn’t care when PFC Charles E. Bush Jr. was killed by a roadside bomb on December 19, 2003. That distinction wasn’t given when SPC Jeff Lebrun’s vehicle was hit by and IED, killing him on January 1, 2005. Tim Russert didn’t make the sacrifices that LCpl Howard S. March Jr. made on September 24, 2006 when he was killed during combat operations. SPC David M. McKeever died on March 10, 2008 when his unit was ambushed and no flags were dipped in Buffalo to his honor. On March 22, 2003 Buffalo native LCpl Eric J. Orlowski gave his life for his nation without fanfare or media recognition. No flags were lowered to half mast for SPC Jacob M. Pfister was killed by an IED on April 19, 2005. Does Buffalo even know that SPC Michael L. Williams was killed on October 17, 2003 when his vehicle ran over a roadside bomb?

All these brave Marines and Soldiers gave their lives for a calling higher than themselves. And all of them were from Buffalo, NY, as well. None of them were well paid nor did they seek publicity or positions of power. They simply did what their country asked them to do and put their lives on the line in the process. Yet, the ungrateful city of Buffalo, NY care more about a television personality to dip our star and stripes in his honor while ignoring the brave sacrifices of our nation’s military fallen. It’s a shame.