SPC Casey Frank Highberger, United States Army, Ret.

Casey Highberger was born in Bad Cannstatt , Germany on February 10, 1980 and passed away July 14, 2011 at Harker Heights, Texas.

Casey was a world traveler, educated in the Department of Defense Education system, Ellison High School and CTC. Casey proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Specialist, for three and a half years. He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom, at Camp Bucca Detention Facility. He continued his service in the Texas National Guard. His many military decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal and numerous other decorations.

At the time of his death, Casey was medically retired from the military.

Funeral services were held on July 11 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 procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas where the procession was greeted by fifty American flags blowing briskly in the hot Texas wind.

The flag draped casket was removed from the hearse, by the Army Honor Guard, and carried slowly into the committal shelter. Lt. Col. Austin of the United States Army Chaplain Corps led the gathering in final prayers.

Full military honors were then afforded SPC Highberger. The detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. Taps was played by a bugler who is retired from the Army, after more than twenty years in the Army Band.

The American flag that covered the casket was carefully folded into a tight triangle and presented to a senior Non-Commissioned Officer, who then presented it to the Highberger family on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation in thanks for his years of faithful service.

SPC Casey Highberger was then laid to rest, as the American flag flew at half-staff, in his honor, on the hill above.

Left to cherish his memory are his parents, Kirt and Martina, a sister, his grandparents, numerous other dear family, many close friends, his Battle Buddies and fellow soldiers at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma.





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

Virginia Ruth Greene, United States Army Veteran

Virginia Green was born May 2, 1931 in Ponta, Texas and passed away July 15, 2011 in Temple, Texas at the age of 80.

Virginia Green served her country in the United States Women's Army Corp, as a "WAC", from 1950 to 1952, and was discharged from service as a corporal. Her duty stations included Okinawa and at the Army Chemical Center in Maryland. After her military service, she worked in Civil Service for more than thirty years.

Virginia served as the president of the Retired Sgt. Majors Auxiliary and the Women's Army Corps organization. She was a deacon at her church. She was also a member of DAV Auxiliary and of the American Legion.

Funeral services were held on July 21 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. Thereafter, the Riders led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen for interment services with military honors.

At the cemetery, the procession was greeted by fifty American flags and more of the Patriot Guard Riders.

After the flag draped casket was moved from the hearse to the committal shelter, the Riders formed a line of flags around the shelter while final prayers were said and honors rendered.

The Army bugler played taps. The flag that draped the casket was folded into the traditional triangle and passed to a Non-Commissioned Officer of the Army, who presented the flag to Virginia's youngest son, Eric, on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation as thanks for her years of faithful service.

"WAC" Virginia Greene was then laid to rest on a bright sunny day on the slope of the cemetery, as the American flag flew at half-staff in her honor on the hill above.

Left to cherish her memory are her three sons, one daughter, eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many other dear family and friends.

Virginia's dear husband, Command Sergeant Major Charlie R. Greene predeceased her.



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

James Alfred Craine, United States Navy Veteran

James Craine was born August 12, 1947 in Temple, Texas and passed away June 18, 2011 in Temple at the age of 64.

James, who was known to all who knew him as "Monk" or "Uncle", served his country in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1969, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. After his service, he worked in the Health Care Industry for many years. His main concern was caring for the elderly, at which he was an expert.

James was also known as the "Richard Pryor" of his family, keeping everyone laughing. He loved his family, his friends and his kids dearly. James roamed the earth, living in Dallas and Austin, but, returned to his home of Temple, to make his departure.

Funeral services were held on July 18 at the Branford/Dawson Funeral Home in Temple. Thereafter, interment services were held at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas.

Awaiting the arriving family and friends at the cemetery were fifty American flags, blowing in the Texas wind, and the Patriot Guard Riders. Also in attendance was the Honor Guard of the United States Navy.

Military honors were rendered by the Honor Guard, including the playing of taps by the Navy bugler. The American flag that draped the casket was folding into the traditional triangle and presented to James' family on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Navy and a grateful nation for his years of dedicated service.

The service concluded with the playing of Amazing Grace by the Patriot Guard Riders Bag Piper.

James Alfred Craine was then laid to rest on the gentle slope of the cemetery. Left to cherish his memory are two daughters, one son, the mothers of his children, two sisters, one brother, his father, twelve grandchildren, one great-grandchild and many other dear friends and relatives.

He himself has said,
"I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
Hebrews 13:5

Amongst the gathered family and friends was an original member of the Tuskegee Airmen, who requested to have his photo taken with two of the Patriot Guard Riders.


http://www.tuskegeeairmen.org/


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

Staff Sergeant Charles P. Kauffman, Jr., United States Army, Ret.

Charles P. Kauffman, Jr., shown in the picture above, on January 28, 2011, passed away on July 13, 2011, at the age of 62, in Killeen, Texas.

Charles was known as "Skip" to his friends, and as "Tunnel Rat" to his fellow Patriot Guard Riders. Tunnel Rat was a faithful member of the Riders since December 22, 2008 and attended as many missions as allowed by his occupation as a truck driver. The picture above was taken at the inurnment service for Leon Rutledge which is detailed in a previous post. It was one of the last missions Tunnel Rat was able to attend, before lung cancer took over his life.

Tunnel Rat served his country, first in the United States Air Force, and then in the United States Army. He retired after more than twenty years of service. He served in Vietnam, from whence his moniker came; he was a "tunnel rat" there.

His many military decorations include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, and six awards of the Good Conduct Medal.

Funeral services were held on July 18 at St. Luke's Methodist 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 services with full military honors.

As the procession arrived at the cemetery, the rains came. For the first time in many months, the Riders stood in the rain to honor a fallen hero, one of our own. Rumor is, that Tunnel Rat promised to send us rain!

The United States Army Honor Guard removed the flag draped coffin from the hearse and carried it into the committal shelter. The Riders then formed a line of American flags around the shelter, as the Minister said the final prayers in Korean and in English.

The Army detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps. The flag that draped the coffin was folded into the traditional triangle and ceremoniously passed to an Army Staff Sergeant, who presented it to Tunnel Rat's dear wife, An Sun, on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation for his many years of faithful service.

The service concluded with the playing of Amazing Grace by the Piper for the Patriot Guard Riders.

Tunnel Rat was then laid to rest on the rain swept plain of the cemetery as the American flag flew at half staff on the hill above. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, two sons, two daughters and four grandchildren, and many other dear family, friends, fellow bikers and the Patriot Guard Riders of Central Texas.

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 Amanda Carter for additional photos, including the one at the top, and to the Killeen Daily Herald for biographical information.

Sergeant Major Terence W. Smith, United States Army

Terence Smith was born August 22, 1960 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin and passed away June 29, 2011 at Houston, Texas at the age of 50

Terence proudly served his country for over 27 years in the United States Army and was on active duty at the time of his death.

His military specialty was Logistics, specifically Food Operations. Terence was a veteran of Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. During his tour in Baghdad, Iraq he was responsible for monitoring the services contract with KBR. His many military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal and the Legion of Merit Medal.

Terence was a Free Mason and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and of the Food Service Executive Association.

An inurnment service was held on July 8 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of flags around the committal shelter.

Major Jacobs of the United States Army Chaplain Corps led the gathered family and friends in final prayers.

Full military honors were rendered by the United States Army Honor Guard. The detail of seven rifles, standing in the dappled shade of the live oak trees, fired three rounds of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps, as all in attendance stood at attention and saluted.

The American flag that had laid next to the urn was carefully unfolded by a detail of six soldiers, and then refolded into a tight triangle. The flag was ceremoniously passed to Army Lt. Colonel Murray who presented it to Terence's dear wife Kelly, 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. Folded flags were also presented to his mother, sister and children.

The urn containing the cremains Sergeant Major Terence W. Smith was then carefully placed into a nice of the columbarium wall, as his family gathered round, and sealed for all of time.

Left to cherish Terence's memory are his wife, one son, one daughter, a sister, his mother and many other dear family, friends and fellow soldiers.

The family has suggested that memorials may be made to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Donor Services, PO Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202

The Twenty Third Psalm

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, I will fear no evil"
for thou are with me; Thy rod and
thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence
of mine enemies: thou anointest my head
with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life: and I will
dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

With thanks to the Killeen Daily Herald for biographical information.