Santana F. Munoz, Jr., United States Army Veteran

Santana Munoz was born on the King Ranch in Kingsville, Texas on December 9, 1931 and passed away on March 26, 2011, at the age of 79, in Austin, Texas.

Santana Munoz proudly served his country in the armed forces, beginning in 1951. He was a Corporal in the United States Army, 36th Texas Infantry Division during the Korean War. Later, he was appointed Captain of the Military Police Corps by General Thomas S. Bishop. He then served in the Army National Guard of Texas as a Staff Sergeant. Santana was a member of the VFW Post 8925.

Santana was a third-generation Kineno, born and raised on the King Ranch. The Kinenos - the King’s Men- came into existence in the mid-1850s when Richard King, founder of the King Ranch, went to a small village in Mexico and recruited all of the residents to join him on his ranch as his workers.

“ The 120 men, women, and children moved to the ranch, bringing along their livestock and chickens.

The Kinenos worked from the time they could walk until the day they could walk no more. The men worked as vaqueros, and the women tended to the cooking, cleaning, sewing, mending and child rearing.” ( King Ranch, A Homecoming, by Stephanie Elizondo Griest)

Committal Services were held at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas. When the Munoz family arrived, they were greeted by fifty American flags, blowing in the Texas wind, and the Patriot Guard Riders, who formed a line of American flags around the shelter during the service.

Two of Santana’s grandchildren told of memories of their grandfather. Military honors were rendered by the United States Army Honor Guard. The Army bugler played taps, and two Soldiers carefully folded the American flag that draped the gold coffin into the traditional triangle. It was presented by Staff Sergeant Page to Santana’s dear wife, Rebecca, on the behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation in thanks for his many years of dedicated service.

Santana F. Munoz, Jr. was then laid to rest on the plain of the cemetery and the American flag flew at half-staff at the top of the hill in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, three daughters, one son, three step-sons, one brother, 19 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.

With thanks to the Mission Funeral Home, Austin, Texas for biographical information.

First Sergeant Charles "Chuck" Valdez, Jr., United States Army, Ret.

Chuck Valdez was born February 18, 1958 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and passed away on March 22, 2011 in Temple, Texas.

Chuck proudly served his country in the United States Army for more than 20 years, holding positions ranging from Air Defense Artilleryman to Company First Sergeant. He served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. His many military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Meritorious Service Medal.

Chuck is a member of a family that has over 120 years of combined service to the United States Army, with members currently serving in Afghanistan and Korea.

In his retirement, Chuck continued to serve the Army as a civilian contractor in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Chuck was a father, son, brother, friend and soldier with a true zest for life that was unmistakably heard in his laughter, and witnessed in his actions.

On March 25, interment services were held at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter during the service.

Final prayers were said by a Catholic Chaplain and full military honors were rendered by an Army Honor Guard. The detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps. The American flag that draped the olive drab casket was folded into the traditional triangle, and presented to Chuck’s daughter, Derin, on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful country as thanks for his years of dedicated service.

First Sergeant Charles “Chuck” Valdez, Jr. was then laid to rest on the gentle slope of the cemetery, overlooking the Texas hill country, as the American flag flew at half-staff on the hill above in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, two brothers, five sisters, his dear mother, Lupe, and a host of other family, friends and fellow soldiers.

"One only need hear him express the word we most associate with his attitude, and that word is...

HOOAH!

.

Curt Rutledge, United States Marine

Curt Rutledge was born August 16, 1946. He passed away on February 26, 2011, at the age of 64, at his home in Georgetown, Texas, in the arms of his dear wife, Mo.

Curt proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps. He served in Vietnam as a Corporal and was a recipient of the Purple Heart.

Curt was a career educator, having taught eighth grade students for over 30 years. He was a scholar of History, Geography and United States Government. He was an amazing athlete, a long distance runner and bicyclist. He was a member of the Sun City Striders running club.

Curt was a volunteer for the Georgetown Animal Shelter. He was known as the “dog whisperer” there. Almost daily he would take shelter dogs for long runs around the nearby San Gabriel Park. He also donated his photography to the shelter to be auctioned at their annual Arts for Animals fund raising event.

Curt was an avid fan of the Chicago Bears.

Curt and his wife were world travelers and visited countries all over the world. One of Curt’s greatest pleasures in recent years was to run with his Red Heeler dog, Teddy, on the rural trails in the Sun City area of Georgetown. It was on one of these runs that Teddy discovered some poisoned meat, set out for coyotes. It took his life.

During the last nine months of Curt’s life, he endured two brain surgeries and numerous other procedures to help stave off his impending death from a brain tumor.

Curt’s ashes have been mixed with those of Teddy and are to be spread on the trail where they ran together, and at Lake Linwood in Minnesota.

On March 25, 2011 a memorial service was held for Curt at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter during the service.

The many family and friends who gathered there to remember Curt said The Lord’s Prayer. A friend of Curt told of the many ways Curt had touched the lives of all those present, many of whom were holding small American flags.

Two United States Marine Corps Sergeants carefully unfolded the American flag that laid next to Curt’s urn. A Navy Petty Officer played taps. The flag was then refolded into the traditional triangle and presented to Mo, Curt’s dear “spousal unit”, on behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps and a grateful nation as thanks for Curt’s years of faithful service.

Flying at half-staff on the hill above, in his honor, was the American Flag.

Left to cherish his memory are Mo, two step-sons, five grandchildren and numerous other dear family and friends. His two sons, Danny and Scott, had predeceased him.


Semper Fi, Curt. Rest in peace.

Master Sergeant Robert Lewis, Sr., United States Army

Robert Lewis was born September 8, 1964 in Anahuac, Texas and passed away March 5, 2011, at the age of 46.

Robert enlisted in the United States Army on January 8, 1985 and was on active duty at the time of his death. His first assignment was as a Tank Armor Crewman. His duty assignments included Germany, Korea, Kuwait, and three deployment tours in Iraq.

His many military decorations and awards include the Bronze Star Medal, multiple awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal, and eight Good Conduct Medals. He was awarded the Ordnance of Samuel Sharpe and was a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.

He was a graduate of Sam Houston State University with a B.A. degree in Business Administration.

Funeral Services were held on March 14 at Greater Vision Community Church 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. At the conclusion of the service, the Riders led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen.

An Army Honor Guard moved the casket from the hearse to the committal shelter. The Patriot Guard Riders formed a line of American flags around the shelter as final prayers were said and military honors were rendered.

The final prayers included:

“Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy to take unto himself the soul of our dear brother here departed, we therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself.”

The seven rifle detail fired three rounds of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps. The Honor Guard carefully folded the American flag that draped the casket into a tight triangle. The flag was then passed to an Army Non-Commissioned Officer who presented it to Robert’s beloved wife, Verdell, on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation, as thanks for Robert’s many years of service to his country.

Folded flags were also presented to each of his five children.

Master Sergeant Robert Wayne Lewis was then laid to rest on the gentle slope of the cemetery as the American flag flew at half-staff on the hill above in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, his children, three brothers, two sisters, a host of other relatives and friends and his extended military family.

Sgt. Edward Lee Hoglund III, United States Army

Edward Hoglund was born on November 5, 1976 at Chicago, Illinois and passed away March 2, 2011, at the age of 34, from injures suffered in a traffic accident at Ft. Stewart, Georgia.

Edward was a Sergeant in the United States Army at the time of his passing, and had served three tours of duty in Iraq. He was assigned to B Co., 3/69 Armor, 3rd Infantry Division.

A family visitation was held on Monday morning at the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, Texas. Thereafter, the Patriot Guard Riders led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen for interment services.

The procession was greeted at the cemetery by fifty American flags, the Texas State Flag and the flags of all the military services, blowing in the brisk northerly Texas wind.

The flag draped casket was moved from the hearse into the committal shelter by the Army Honor Guard. The Patriot Guard Riders then formed a line of American flags along the front of the shelter.

Edward’s father-in-law, affectionately calling him Eddie, spoke of Eddie’s life, his traits, his habits and his good deeds. He told of how Eddie was proud to be a “grunt”. He related a story that emphasized Eddie’s honesty. The story was of how Eddie was playing soccer with a group of boys when he kicked the ball over a fence into the side of a car, denting the side of the car. The boys were shouting, “run Eddie, run!” , but he didn’t. He did the right thing.

He also told of some of Eddie’s favorite sayings:

“Life isn’t fair, get over it”
“No whining allowed”
“Your not entitled to anything if you don’t work for it.”

Captain Michael Dawson of the United States Army Chaplain Corps said the final prayers.

Full military honors were rendered by the Army Honor Guard. The seven rifle detail fired three rounds of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps. The Honor Guard then folded the American flag that covered the silver casket into the traditional triangle. It was passed ceremoniously to an Army Staff Sergeant who presented the flag to Edward's wife, Amanda, on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful country as thanks for his many years of faithful service.

Folded flags were also presented to Edward’s father, his son and one of his daughters. The daughter returned the salute of the Sergeant, after he presented the flag to her.

Sgt. Edward Lee Hoglund, III was then laid to rest on the wind swept plain of the cemetery as the American flag flew at half-staff on the hill above in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, his son, two daughters, his father and many other dear family, friends and fellow soldiers.

Taps

Day is done, gone the sun
From the lake, from the hill,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest. God is nigh.

Thanks and praise for our days
‘neath the sun, ‘neath the stars,

‘neath the sky.
As we go, this we know. God is nigh.

With thanks to the Killeen Daily Herald for biographical information.

John C. Wright, United States Army

John Wright was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on August 21, 1946 and passed away on March 4, 2011.

John served his country in the United States Army for over 18 years and was a disabled veteran. He was a lifetime student of Western History and a cowboy in his heart. He also had a passion for trains and was a motorcycle rider. He was a member of the American Legion at Harker Heights, Texas.

An inurnment service was held on March 10, 2011 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter during the service.

Final prayers were said by the Rev. Stephen Schmidt, who led the gathered family and friends in The Lord’s Prayer.

The Army bugler played taps, and the Honor Guard carefully unfolded the American flag that laid against the Urn, then refolded it into the traditional triangle. The flag was then presented to John’s dear wife, JoAnn, on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation as thanks for his many years of faithful service.

John’s Urn was then placed into a niche of the columbarium wall, and sealed shut for all eternity.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, two daughters, a sister, two grandsons, five granddaughters, four adopted daughters and his two beloved dogs, Sadie and Chilow.




I’M FREE

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God has chosen for me.
I took his hand when I heard Him call;
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I’ve now found peace at the end of day.

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joys.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;
Oh yes, these things, I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
Look for the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much;
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.
Perhaps my time seems all too brief;
Don’t lengthen your pain with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and peace to thee,
God wanted me now, He set me free.

By Shannon Lee Mosely