Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Larry Glenn, United States Navy Veteran


Larry Glenn was born January 19, 1944 at Charlotte, North Carolina and passed away November 1, 2011 at Laredo, Texas, at the age of 67.

Larry was a track star in high school and placed third in the Texas State mile run. Larry proudly served his country in the United States Navy for six years, enlisting after graduation from high school. His service included a deployment aboard the aircraft carrier Bon Homme Richard off the coast of Vietnam. He left the Navy with the rank of Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class (jet engine mechanic.)

Larry loved to fish and was a member of the American Legion and the VFW.

At the time of his death, his well worn bible was found opened to Psalm 106.

An interment service was held on November 10 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who, as pall bearers, moved the flag draped casket from the hearse to the committal shelter.

A family friend told of Larry's life and led the gathered family and friends in final prayers.

The United States Navy Honor guard rendered military honors. The Navy bugler played taps. The flag that covered the casket was folded into a tight triangle and presented to Larry's younger brother on behalf of the President of the United States and the Chief of Naval Operations as a symbol of appreciation for Larry's service to his country and a grateful Navy.

The service concluded with the playing of "The Old Rugged Cross."

Larry Glenn was then laid to rest on the slope of the cemetery, as the sun set over the Texas Hill Country, and the American flag flew at half-staff on the hill above in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his brother, his sister, two sons and numerous other dear family and friends.







Sunday, December 18, 2011

Michael Parker, United States Army Veteran




Michael Rogers Parker was born March 20, 1947 in San Antonio, Texas and passed away on October 21, 2011 in Temple, Texas, at the age of 64.

Michael graduated from Phyllis Wheatly High School in San Antonio. He proudly served his country in the United States Army.

Funeral services were held on October 28 at the Branford/Dawson Funeral Chapel in Temple, with Pastor U.C. Barnes, Sr., Corinth Missionary Baptist Church offering Words of Comfort.

Interment services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. on the same day, at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas. At the cemetery, to welcome the arriving family and friends, were fifty American flags blowing in the brisk Texas wind, and the Patriot Guard Riders.

After the flag draped casket was moved from the hearse to the committal shelter, the Riders formed a line of American flags around the shelter.

The United States Army Honor Guard rendered military honors. The American flag that draped the casket was folded into the traditional triangle. The Army bugler played taps.

The folded flag was then presented to Michael's dear wife, Karen, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for Michael's honorable and faithful service.

Michael Parker was then laid to rest on the sloping plain of the cemetery, as the American flag flew at half-staff, in his honor, at the top of the hill. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, two sons, two daughters, three brothers, four sisters, eight grandchildren and a host of other dear family and friends.

God saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were
hard to climb.
He gently closed those loving eyes.
And whispered, - peace be thine.


The weary hours and the days of pain,
The sleepless nights are passed.
The ever patient, worn-out frame,
Has found sweet rest at last.

God saw that you were getting weary;

So He did what He knew best.
He came and stood beside you,
And whispered - come and rest.

You bid no one a last farewell,
Not eve
n a goodbye.
And only God knows why!





With thanks to the Branford/Dawson Funeral home for biographical information.








Sunday, December 11, 2011

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Harold Lewis, United States Army, Ret.





Harold Lewis was born in Macon, Georgia on November 8, 1950 and passed away on November 2, 2011 from injuries suffered in a traffic accident in Central Texas.

Harold proudly served his country in the United States Army for 26 years, retiring in 1999.

Harold had a passion for Harley Davidson motorcycles and old cars. He spent several years restoring a 1980 Corvette. He was a member of the Mid Texas Corvette Club.

In September 2008, Harold and other motorcycle enthusiasts formed the Chrome Cruzer Motorcycle Club, of which he served as the president. At the time of the unfortunate accident that took his life, he was on a ride with members of the club.

Funeral services were held on November 10 at the Crawford-Bowers Funeral home in Killeen, Texas. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags at the entrance to welcome the arriving family and friends.

After the service, the funeral procession was led by the Riders to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen. The procession included hundreds of motorcycles and dozens of Corvettes.

At the cemetery, the procession was greeted by fifty American flags blowing in the Texas wind.

The flag draped casket was carried from the hearse to the committal shelter by the six soldier United States Army Guard. The Patriot Guard Riders then formed a line of American flags around the shelter and the hundreds of mourners, as the Priest said the final prayers.

Full military honors were rendered by the Honor Guard. The detail of seven rifles fired three volleys of fire representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps.

The American flag that draped Harold's coffin was carefully folded into a tight triangle and ceremoniously passed to an Army Lieutenant Colonel, who presented it to Harold's dear wife, Margo, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for his honorable and faithful service. As Margo received the flag, she held their grandson, Braylon, aged three, who was the joy of Harold's life.

CW3 Harold Lewis was then laid to rest on the windswept plain of the cemetery, as the American flag flew at half-staff in his honor at the top of the hill.

Left to cherish his memory are Margo, two daughters, Braylon, a brother, a sister, numerous nieces, nephews and to many fellow soldiers, bikers and car enthusiasts to name.

Before leaving the cemetery, the members of the Chrome Cruzer club revved the engines of their motorcycles for a full sixty seconds, in honor of their fallen president.
















Link to video of the funeral procession arriving at the cemetery.

http://vimeo.com/32800731




With thanks to the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home for biographical information and photo and to Amanda Carter for additional photos.


http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Command Sergeant Major Donald Jaszkowski, United States Army, Ret.


Donald Jaszkowski was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1927 and passed away October 25, 2011 at Harker Heights, Texas at the age of 84.

Donald proudly served his country in the United States Army for over twenty years and retired with the rank of Command Sergeant Major. His service included Vietnam, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

After retiring, Donald served as Executive Director of the Killeen Housing Authority. He was a member of the Retired Sergeants Major Association, the Korean Veterans Association, the Vietnam Veterans Association, the VFW, the DAV and the American Legion.

Funeral services were held on October 28 at the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, Texas. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags at the entrance to welcome the arriving family and friends. After the service, the Riders led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen.

Present at the Cemetery were other Riders and fifty American Flags, blowing briskly in the cold Texas wind.

After the flag draped casket was moved from the hearse to the committal shelter, the Riders formed a line of American flags around the shelter.

A United States Army Chaplain said the final prayers. The Army Honor Guard rendered full military honors. The detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The bugler played taps.
The American flag that draped the coffin was carefully folded into a tight triangle, ceremoniously passed to an Army Staff-Sergeant and presented to Donald's dear wive, Dorothy, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for Donald's honorable and faithful service.

Command Sergeant Major Donald Jaszkowski was then laid to rest on the sloping hill of the cemetery as the flag flew at half-staff on the hill above, in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, a son, a daughter, one brother, one sister, numerous nieces and nephews and many other dear family and friends.






With thanks to the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home for biographical information.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Donald Cory, United States Army Veteran


Donald Cory was born January 4, 1926 at Kane, Illinois and passed away November 6, 2011 at Killeen, Texas at the age of  85.

Donald proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II and the Korean War.

He lived the last five years in the Killeen area and was a member of the IOOIF and the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Graveside services were held on November 9 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen.  In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags at the the front of the committal shelter to honor this veteran of a great generation. Six of the Riders acted as pall bearers and moved the flag draped casket from the hearse to the shelter.

Final prayers were offered by the minister, followed by Military Honors by the United States Army Honor Guard.  The Army bugler played taps, and the American flag that draped the casket was folded into the traditional triangle.  The folded flag was presented to Donald's dear wife, Isabel, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for his years of honorable and faithful service.

Donald Cory was then laid to rest on the gentle sloping plain of the cemetery, and the flag flew at half-staff at the top of the hill in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, three daughters, two brothers, four grandchildren and a host of other dear family and friends.





With thanks to the Killeen Daily Herald for biographical information.