Sgt. Bobby Ray Newman, US Army, Veteran

Sgt. Bobby Ray Newman, US Army, Veteran

Bobby Ray Newman was born June 27, 1952 at Warrensburg, Missouri and passed away on June 15, 2010, at the age of 57, after a valiant battle with cancer.

Bobby proudly served his country in the United States Army as a MP in Panama during the Vietnam war.

Memorial services with military honors were held on June 25, 2010 at the hour of 9:00 a.m. at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas.  On hand to honor this veteran and to welcome the arriving family and friends were the Patriot Guard Riders.  The Riders formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter.

An Army honor guard provided the military honors, which included the playing of taps by an Army bugler.  An American flag was folded into the traditional triangle by the honor guard and presented to the family on behalf of the United States Army and a grateful nation.

Bobby Ray’s cremains were then laid to rest by his family and friends as the American flag flew at half-staff on the hill above.

Left to cherish his memory are two daughters, two brothers, two sisters, five grandchildren and many other dear family and friends.

Thank you for walking the empty places with me
and turning on the lights as we go.

By Daughter Mandy

With thanks to The Gabriels Funeral Chapel for biographical information.

Sergeant Major Edmond V. Iwanicki, US Army, Retired

Edmond Iwanicki, of Killeen, Texas,  passed away on June 14, 2010 at the age of 63.

Edmond had proudly served his country in the United States Army and retired at the rank of Sergeant Major.  Among his assignments was duty in the G4 office of III Corps.

Funeral services were held on June 20, 2010 at Heritage Funeral Home in Harker Heights, Texas.

On June 21, 2010 interment service with full military honors was conducted at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen.  Present were Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter to honor this veteran and to welcome the arriving family and friends.

An Army bugler played taps.  An Army rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country.  The Army honor guard then folded an American flag into a tight triangle and presented it to Edmond’s beloved wife, Jolanda, on behalf of the United States Army and a grateful nation.

The urn containing Edmond’s cremains was  placed into a niche in the columbarium wall by his family as the American flag at the top of the hill flew at half-staff in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, one daughter, a grandson and many other dear family and friends.

With thanks to the Killeen Daily Herald for biographical information.

1st Lt. Kurt Michael Wilbrecht, USMCR, KIA 7 June 1970

1st Lt. Kurt Michael Wilbrecht, USMCR, KIA in Vietnam 7 June 1970

Kurt Michael Wilbrecht was born 14 February 1944 and died on 7 June 1970, at the age of 26,  when he was killed in action in Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam.  His remains were not recovered.

Kurt was flying a close air support mission when he failed to pull out of a low angle, low level bombing run.  It is believed that his aircraft was struck by enemy ground fire rendering him incapacitated.

His RIO, 1st Lt. William T. Pepper ejected just as the aircraft struck the tree tops and was safely recovered.  He reported that he felt two “thuds” before he ejected, and that Kurt said nothing after that.

Kurt was the second of my assigned pilots and the second of my roommates to be killed in Vietnam.


Kurt had been my roommate briefly when he first joined the squadron.  He became my assigned pilot after my then pilot and roommate, 1st Lt. Michael Breeding, was killed on 12 February 1970.  Kurt was my pilot on my 100th mission on 18 February 1970.

At the time of Kurt's death I was on assignment as a Forward Air Controller with 1st Battlion, 7th Marine Regiment.


Link to Memorial Wall entry for Kurt.

http://thewall-usa.com/info.asp?recid=55992

Photos top to bottom

1. Ramsey High School, Class of 1962
2. Kurt Wilbrecht.
3. Me and Kurt celebrating my 100th combat mission.
4. Kurt and William Pepper, upper right corner, in the ready room of the hot pad at Chu Lai air base.
5. DC-08 - The aircraft that Kurt was flying at the time of his death.  I had flew 17 missions in that very plane.

6. 1st Lt. Michael Breeding

7. William Pepper with his wife and child after we returned to "the world".  I understand he has since passed away.


“But thy eternal summer shall not fade
So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.”

William Shakespeare, Sonnet 18

Sgt. Jeff Alan Esau, US Army Veteran of Desert Storm

Sgt. Jeff Alan Esau, US Army Veteran of Desert Storm

Jeff Esau was born March 17, 1961 in Newton, Kansas and passed away June 1, 2010 at the age of 49.

Jeff began his education in Kansas until 1973 when he moved to McGregor, Texas.  He was a 1979 graduate of McGregor High School.  He continued his education at McLennan Community College where he earned an Associate Degree in Business and Nursing.  He also attended University of Phoenix where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.  His employment included nine years at the Veteran’s Affairs Hospital in Waco as a registered nurse.

Jeff served his country as a reservist in the United States Army.  He was activated for duty in 1984 and again in 1990-1991.  His military decorations include the Kuwait Liberation Medal for his service during Desert Storm.  He achieved the rank of sergeant.

Jeff enjoyed golfing, riding his motorcycle and the soft drink, Dr. Pepper.  He was an avid McGregor Bulldog fan.  He was active in the McGregor community as a member of Victory Chapel Church and as a volunteer for the McGregor EMS, of which he served as vice-president and president.

Funeral services were held on June 5 at Cole Funeral Home Chapel in McGregor.  Present were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags at the entrance of the Chapel to welcome the arriving family and friends.

After the services, the funeral procession was lead by emergency medical aid vehicles and the Patriot Guard Riders to historic McGregor Cemetery for interment with military honors.

At the cemetery the Riders formed a line of flags around the burial site as final prayers were said and military honors rendered.  The Army bugler played taps and the Army honor guard folded the flag that had draped the casket into a tight triangle and presented it to Maria, Jeff’s dedicated and loving wife of 28 years, on behalf of the a grateful country and the United States Army.

Jeff was then laid to rest in the dappled shade of a sycamore tree, deep in the heart of Texas. 

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, a daughter, and son, his father and step-mother, four brothers, two sisters and a host of other dear family and friends.  His many friends include his fellow volunteers of the EMS, who gathered under a nearby shade tree to say good by to their friend.

With thanks to Cole Funeral Home for biographical information.