Leon M. Rutledge, United States Army Veteran

Leon Rutledge passed away on December 4, 2010 at Killeen, Texas after a long battle with cancer. In honor of his wishes his body was donated to science to continue the fight against cancer.

A memorial service with military honors was held on January 28, 2011 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders. The Riders formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter during the service, to honor yet another fallen veteran.

The memorial service commenced with Leon’s pastor telling his life story. He told of how Leon was born in El Paso, Texas on December 29, 1939 and of how Leon served his country in the United States Army, as a NCO. He told of how Leon went on to a career as an Executive Housekeeper, from which he retired. He told of Leon’s marriage to Virginia forty-five years ago, and of the two children he brought to that marriage, of Virginia's four children under the age of seven that she brought to their union, and of Lee-Ann, their cherished adopted daughter. He told of the twenty grandchildren, and the eighteen great-grandchildren, most of whom were crowded around the shelter during the service. He told of the patience that Leon was known for, and the love he had from all who knew him.

The pastor concluded the memorial service with the reading of “Remembrance” and a final prayer.

The United States Army Honor Guard bestowed military honors on Leon Rutledge. The Army bugler played taps. The Honor Guard folded the American flag into the traditional triangle and presented to Leon’s beloved wife on behalf of the United States Army and a grateful nation, as the family looked on.

Leon’s silver urn was then sealed into a niche of the columbarium wall as the American flag on the hill above flew at half-staff.

Left to cherish his memory are his large family, other dear relatives and many dear friends.

Remembrance

You can shed tears that he is gone,
or you can smile because he has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back,
or you can open your eyes and see he has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see him,
or you can be full of the love you shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember him and only that he's gone,
or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back,
or you can do what he'd want...

smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

With thanks to the Killeen Daily Herald for biographical information and to Amanda McCurdy Carter for additional photography.

Senior Master Sergeant Donald Blackmore, United States Air Force, Ret.

Donald Blackmore was born April 16, 1923 in Cottage Grove, Oregon and passed away January 21, 2011, at the age of 87, at his home in Taylor, Texas.

Donald enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps where he became an aircraft mechanic, then progressed to maintenance supervisor. He was a maintenance crew chief and made many missions while serving during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. During World War II he was forced to bail-out three times because the aircraft was not going to make it home.

He worked on the B-25, B-29, B-36 and B-52. He was one of only a few enlisted pilots, and known by his peers as a skilled aircraft maintainer and manager. He knew how to fly and how to keep them flying.

Donald retired in 1969 with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.

After his military service he worked as a maintenance supervisor for the Austin American-Statesman newspaper, from which he retired.

He enjoyed traveling, and camping in his Recreational Vehicle. He loved to fish, to ranch, and the outdoors.

Funeral services were held on January 25 at the First United Methodist Church in Taylor. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of more than three dozen American flags at the entrance of the church to welcome the arriving family and friends.

The foyer of the church was filled with arrangements of flowers, and family photos adorned the piano in the fellowship hall of the church.

After the service, the flag draped casket was moved from the church to, and loaded into, the hearse while the Riders stood at attention and saluted.

The Patriot Guard Riders then led the funeral procession to the Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas, where they formed a line of American flags around the grave site. The route of the procession was cleared, and traffic controlled, by officers of the Austin Police Department.

Present at the cemetery was the Air Force Honor Guard to render full military honors. The Honor Guard moved the casket from the hearse to the grave site. They then folded the American flag that draped the casket into a tight triangle. The Honor Guard's rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, representing Honor, Duty and Country. The Air Force bugler then played taps.

The folded flag was presented to Donald's beloved wife of over sixty years, Sarah, on behalf of the President of the United States, the Unites States Air Force and a grateful nation, as thanks for his many years of faithful service.

Donald Blackmore was laid to rest near a monument for Stephen F. Austin. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, his son, Ron and wife Rhonda of Elgin, his daughter, B.K. and husband Sam of Pflugerville, two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, a sister and many other dear family and friends.

High Flight

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
and danced the skies on laughter silvered wings;
sun-ward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds...and done a hundred things
you have not dreamed of,
wheeled and soared and swung
high in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
my eager craft through footless balls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
the high untrespassed sanctity of space,

put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

With thanks to the Austin American-Statesman for biographical information

Master Sergeant Roger Galyean, United States Army, Ret.

Roger Galyean was born September 28, 1940 in Paducah, Texas and passed away on January 15, 2011 in the Veterans Hospital at Temple, Texas.

Roger proudly served his country in the United States Army, including tours of duty in Vietnam. He retired in 1980 with the rank of Master Sergeant. His many medals and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and many awards for his service in Vietnam.

After retiring from the Army, he went to work for the Harker Heights, Texas Police Department from which he retired as a Captain, the second in command. Roger was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and was a member of the Masonic Lodge.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Franziska, two sisters and a daughter.

Funeral services were held on January 19 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Killeen. 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 for interment. The procession was greeted by fifty American flags blowing briskly in the Texas wind and more Patriot Guard Riders. After the coffin was moved from the hearse into the committal shelter, the Riders formed a line of flags around the shelter while military honors were rendered.

An Honor Guard of the Harker Heights Police Department was present to honor their fellow officer.

Final prayers were said by the Priest. The Army Rifle Detail fired three rounds of fire representing Honor, Duty and Country. The Army bugler played taps. The American flag that draped the silver casket was folded into a tight triangle and presented to Roger’s wife, Susana, on behalf of the United States Army and a grateful nation in thanks for his service to his country.


A Masonic grave side ceremony was then conducted. A white apron, an emblem of innocence and the badge of a Mason, was placed upon the casket. A sprig of evergreen, an emblem of faith in the immortality of the soul, was placed atop the casket and a final prayer was recited.

Master Sergeant Roger Galyean was then laid to rest on the gentle plain of the cemetery as the American flag flew at half-staff at the top of the hill.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, two daughters, a granddaughter and many other dear family, friends and fellow soldiers and police officers.

God Bless America

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

God Bless America,
Land that I love
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam.
God bless America,
My home sweet home.

-Irving Berlin-

With thanks to Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home for biographical information

James Berry, United States Army Veteran

James Berry was born in Austin, Texas on August 29, 1933 and passed away on the morning of January 12, 2011.

James was known as “Red” by his friends because of his bright red hair. He graduated from Austin High School and attended Texas A&M University.

James proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956 and achieved the rank of Sergeant.

James owned his own business in Austin which led to a career in automobile sales. He retired as the manager of the Used Car Department of Don Hewlett Chevrolet in Georgetown in 1998. James had a problem remembering the names of the many people he met over the years, so he frequently would call them “Hoss”. He was known for his loyalty, warmth, love and sense of humor.

In his later years, James was a volunteer at the Georgetown Police Department where he was dearly loved and respected.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and an avid motorcyclist, the proud owner of a Harley Davidson Sportster.

Funeral services were held on January 17 at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown, 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 from Georgetown to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen for interment with military honors. At the cemetery awaited other Riders with fifty American flags blowing in the brisk Texas wind.

The flag draped casket was moved from the hearse into the committal shelter and the Riders formed a line of American flags around the shelter as final prayers were said and military honors were rendered. The Army bugler played taps, and the flag which covered the casket was folded into the traditional triangle. The flag was presented to James’ beloved wife, Zerifia, on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation, in thanks for his faithful service.

James Berry was then laid to rest on the upper 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, nine grandchildren and many other dear family and friends.

With thanks to the Ramsey Funeral Home and Crematorium for biographical information.