Sgt. Joshua Soto

Josh, Another year will have come and gone since you were carried home on the wings of an angel. I want you to know those of us here in Avenal (Family and Friends) will continue to honor your memory every year and will NEVER forget the sacrifice you made to this country. Until we all get together in that mansion in the sky... Sheila J. Verdugo Community Activities Supervisor City of Avenal

SGT. Soto, You don't know me, but I have had the absolute honor of learning of who you were as a man, as a soldier, and as a leader. I arrived to 1-77 Armored Regiment out of Basic Training in May of 2010. I soon learned that just less than 1 year before my arrival, my platoon had lost one of their own, SGT. Joshua W. Soto, in an IED explosion. Even though it had happened a year ago, the wounds were still fresh in everyone's heart. My team leader was the one who told me about you one...

Happy Birthday Josh!!

Hope you’re flying high, cracking all the jokes and playing many 1on 1s. I want highlights when I get up there. -ONE

Thank you for your service. To your family especially your little one, you are a hero.

Joshua,
Avenal Community continues to honor your memory each year, but the pain of losing you remains. There is a verse in the bible which reads; "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13). On this note, Avenal sends this message to your family, that your sacrifice to preserve liberty for all Americans will NEVER be forgotten by us.

10 years without you.....how can that be?

They say time heals all wounds, that may be so......but there is no hiding the scar of your loss in our lives.

Save me a seat will you......I cant wait to hear all your stories one day...until we meet again.

I know I know, a few days late......days seems to be getting away from us these days. But don't think we forgot about you. Happy birthday Joshua, may it have been as amazing in heaven as it would of been on earth. We miss you, see ya later!

Wish we could erase today as if it never happened. But sadly what has passed cannot be undone, What once was can never be restored, and what will be is still unclear. Your memory lives on although you are no longer with us. There is a void that will never be filled, but we hope to see you again some day. See ya later!