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Margaritaville Leads to Soldier's Death

Posted by Kasey Bell on 01/08/2009
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Several Country songs have been written about songs on a jukebox, including Johnny Paycheck's "A-11" and Emmylou Harris & Buck Owen's "Play Together Again Again." However, a recent incident is not from a song, but a tragic real event.Sgt. Richard Lopez, an Iraq veteran and multiple-medal winner, who had been shot several times during his tour of duty, died Monday morning after a fight at a bar in Steamboat Springs, Colo., on New Year's Day.According to reports, Lopez and a few friends were drinking together around closing time when he put Jimmy Buffet's hit, "Margaritaville," on the jukebox. Two other patrons apparently did not appreciate the choice and got in an argument with Lopez, which turned into a fight outside. As a result, Lopez endured several severe blows to the head, which led to his death.Police are investigating the death as a homicide, and the assailants are considered suspects.