Elaine Herrera honors her son Rocky's memory

Intermountain Catholic

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Father Colin Bircumshaw sprinkles the casket of Rocky Herrera with holy water before it is taken from St. Ann Church to Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Behind the casket is Herrera's wife, Traci. Herrera's funeral Mass was concelebrated by Bishop John C. Wester, Fr. Bircumshaw, and Father Jan Bednarz, pastor of St. Martin de Porres Parish, Taylorsville.

SALT LAKE CITY – Elaine Herrera remembers her oldest son, Rocky, as "one of those little stinkers you couldn’t get to go to church," but was devoted to his family, boxing, and his responsibilities in the U.S. Army.

SFC Rocky Herrera and two members of his platoon were killed in Afghanistan Aug. 28 by a suicide bomber. He was 43 years old. He and his platoon were building a bridge. His mother said Herrera apprehended the bomber just before the bombs went off, saving the lives of most of his platoon members. "He knew what he was doing, and he knew he was going to die, but what else could he have done?"

Herrera was buried from St. Ann Church in Salt Lake City Sept. 5, after a Mass of Christian Burial concelebrated by Bishop John C. Wester of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Father Colin Bircumshaw, pastor of St. Ann Parish, who had baptized his mother, and Father Jan Bednarz, pastor of St. Martin de Porres Parish, Taylorsville. It had been just eight months since Elaine Herrera buried her husband and Rocky’s father, "Chick."

In his funeral homily, Bishop Wester spoke of the Armed Forces’ tradition of playing "Taps" at the end of every day.

"That tune tells members of the armed forces to be at rest," he said. "And so we say to Rocky, ‘Soldier, rest.’"

Drawing from the Gospel of St. John, the bishop spoke of Jesus making his way to Bethany, where his friend Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha, has died. "First, he is asked to attend to Jairus’ daughter, who has just died. Jesus goes into her house, touches the girl, and she awakens. Now, he is about to raise Lazarus.

"What is next?" the bishop asked. "Jesus is on his way to his own death and resurrection. Resurrection is what is next."

Referring to the white pall that had taken the place of the American flag on Herrera’s casket at the entryway to the church, Bishop Wester said Herrera had been clothed in white at baptism "and will gain eternal life. It is not the quantity of days he lived, but the quality of his life that is important.

"Rocky proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ in his own way," the bishop said. "He was the reflection and the image of God in his life. He loved his family beyond distraction, and he had a wonderful sense of humor. That joy was proof of God’s presence in his life."

We are inspired by a man who loved his family, his country, and his God, Bishop Wester said. "He accomplished a lot in his 43 years. Anyone who lives to be 100 would be proud of the full, rich life Rocky lived…

"Now he is clothed with Christ, loved by God, and called to the eternal banquet. This Eucharist is a fitting tribute to a real hero."

Bishop Wester said we should follow Herrera’s example, bearing witness to Jesus in our lives, "and we should be grateful for this great soldier, husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle."

Following the Mass, Herrera’s mother and wife, Traci, who lives in Ft. Lewis, Washington, were given Herrera’s medals, the bronze star for courage in the line of duty, and the purple heart, for wounds received in battle. A boxing bell was tolled signifying this round was over for Herrera and a new one would begin.

Herrera was buried in Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery next to his father.

In an interview with the Intermountain Catholic, Elaine Herrera said she felt like she’s been crying since January. "I haven’t gotten over the death of his father yet."

Herrera held Shautzi; the miniature schnauzer Rocky had given her at her husband’s death, in her arms. On the end table next to her chair, one of Rocky’s boxing gloves lay, a wilted red rose in the palm.

"Rocky was always physically active," she said. "Every morning he put on his sweats with a big garbage bag underneath and went running. That’s how he kept in shape for boxing and wrestling. He used to tell me from Afghanistan, ‘Mom, these young soldiers are wearing me out.’"

Herrera said her heart was warmed by all of Rocky’s friends who came to the house, attended his vigil and funeral, and shared stories about her son’s impact on their lives.

"I’m proud of how they all turned out, the boys and the girls. They meant so much to him and now we know how much he meant to them."

As Rocky’s father’s health deteriorated in early January, Rocky was given permission to come home. His mother said he probably would have made it in time to be there when his father died, but his flight was delayed in Kuwait, and he arrived one day later.

"Rocky did get to talk with his father on the phone before he died, and I think that was good for both of them," Elaine said.

Elaine characterized her oldest son as "very sensitive. He cried, but he always went away to be alone to grieve."

Elaine, who grew up in Price, points to a pile of letters and cards of condolences she has received from people as far away as Virginia, Florida, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania.

She said she was astounded and proud to look out her window the day before Rocky’s funeral and see Bishop John C. Wester striding up the driveway. "That a bishop would come to our house. He was wonderful. He gave each of us a blessing, and he talked to me about Rocky. My husband and I were pretty good church-goers, and I go every time I am well enough. The bishop’s visit was so meaningful.

"When Rocky was overseas I worried every day," Elaine said. "I prayed to God to keep him safe. The last time he was home, I gave him a Bible and a rosary that had belonged to his father. He picked up the Bible and said, ‘Maybe I might start reading this.’ I said it couldn’t hurt.

"Learning that your child has died is the most devastating news," Elaine said. "It is the most unbelievable thing… I thought, ‘Why not me?’ Rocky and Traci had plans for their lives. But I think he was so badly injured he needed to go to God."