SPC Zachary New, United States Army

Zachary "Zac" New was born March 3, 1992 and passed away April 22, 2013, while on active duty in the United States Army.








According to news reports, Zac was based at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, as an infantryman with the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team.   On January 29, 2013, He was traveling in a convoy of military vehicles, when the soldiers stopped for a break at Midway Lodge near Salcha, Alaska.  As Zac was exiting his humvee, he was struck by a  log-hauling truck, which had lost control on the icy pavement. Zac suffered grave injuries to his chest.

Zac was transferred to the Audie L. Murphy Veterans Affairs Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, to be nearer his family who live in Jarrell, Texas.  He passed away at that facility on April 22.

Zac joined the Army in June 2010, after graduating from Lampasas, Texas High School,  and had served a one year tour of duty in Afghanistan.

On April 26 a funeral service was held at the Sneed Funeral Chapel in Lampasas.  In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags at the entrance to welcome the family.

After the service, the Riders led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas.  When the family arrived there, they were greeted by fifty American flags lining the roadway.

The flag draped coffin was moved from the hearse to the committal shelter, after which the Riders formed a line of flags along the front of the shelter.

The minister led the family in the final prayers and full military honors were rendered by the United States Army Honor Guard.

The detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country, followed by the playing of taps.

The American flag that draped the coffin was carefully folded into a triangle, passed to a Non-Commissioned Officer, who presented it to Zac's mother, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for his honorable and faithful service.

SPC Zachary Lane was laid to rest on the wind swept cemetery plain, as the American flag flew at half-staff, in his honor, at the top of the hill.

Left to cherish his memory are his parents, Jerry and Karla of Jarrell, a sister and a brother, his maternal grandmother and numerous other dear family, friends and the "Baylough Brothers", members of 1st Platoon Bravo Company 1-24 Infantry.

With thanks to The Associated Press and Sneed Funeral Chapel for historical and biographical information.