Sergeant Major Edmond V. Iwanicki, US Army, Retired

Edmond Iwanicki, of Killeen, Texas,  passed away on June 14, 2010 at the age of 63.

Edmond had proudly served his country in the United States Army and retired at the rank of Sergeant Major.  Among his assignments was duty in the G4 office of III Corps.

Funeral services were held on June 20, 2010 at Heritage Funeral Home in Harker Heights, Texas.

On June 21, 2010 interment service with full military honors was conducted at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen.  Present were Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter to honor this veteran and to welcome the arriving family and friends.

An Army bugler played taps.  An Army rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country.  The Army honor guard then folded an American flag into a tight triangle and presented it to Edmond’s beloved wife, Jolanda, on behalf of the United States Army and a grateful nation.

The urn containing Edmond’s cremains was  placed into a niche in the columbarium wall by his family as the American flag at the top of the hill flew at half-staff in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, one daughter, a grandson and many other dear family and friends.

With thanks to the Killeen Daily Herald for biographical information.

1st Lt. Kurt Michael Wilbrecht, USMCR, KIA 7 June 1970

1st Lt. Kurt Michael Wilbrecht, USMCR, KIA in Vietnam 7 June 1970

Kurt Michael Wilbrecht was born 14 February 1944 and died on 7 June 1970, at the age of 26,  when he was killed in action in Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam.  His remains were not recovered.

Kurt was flying a close air support mission when he failed to pull out of a low angle, low level bombing run.  It is believed that his aircraft was struck by enemy ground fire rendering him incapacitated.

His RIO, 1st Lt. William T. Pepper ejected just as the aircraft struck the tree tops and was safely recovered.  He reported that he felt two “thuds” before he ejected, and that Kurt said nothing after that.

Kurt was the second of my assigned pilots and the second of my roommates to be killed in Vietnam.


Kurt had been my roommate briefly when he first joined the squadron.  He became my assigned pilot after my then pilot and roommate, 1st Lt. Michael Breeding, was killed on 12 February 1970.  Kurt was my pilot on my 100th mission on 18 February 1970.

At the time of Kurt's death I was on assignment as a Forward Air Controller with 1st Battlion, 7th Marine Regiment.


Link to Memorial Wall entry for Kurt.

http://thewall-usa.com/info.asp?recid=55992

Photos top to bottom

1. Ramsey High School, Class of 1962
2. Kurt Wilbrecht.
3. Me and Kurt celebrating my 100th combat mission.
4. Kurt and William Pepper, upper right corner, in the ready room of the hot pad at Chu Lai air base.
5. DC-08 - The aircraft that Kurt was flying at the time of his death.  I had flew 17 missions in that very plane.

6. 1st Lt. Michael Breeding

7. William Pepper with his wife and child after we returned to "the world".  I understand he has since passed away.


“But thy eternal summer shall not fade
So long as men can breathe, or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.”

William Shakespeare, Sonnet 18

Sgt. Jeff Alan Esau, US Army Veteran of Desert Storm

Sgt. Jeff Alan Esau, US Army Veteran of Desert Storm

Jeff Esau was born March 17, 1961 in Newton, Kansas and passed away June 1, 2010 at the age of 49.

Jeff began his education in Kansas until 1973 when he moved to McGregor, Texas.  He was a 1979 graduate of McGregor High School.  He continued his education at McLennan Community College where he earned an Associate Degree in Business and Nursing.  He also attended University of Phoenix where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.  His employment included nine years at the Veteran’s Affairs Hospital in Waco as a registered nurse.

Jeff served his country as a reservist in the United States Army.  He was activated for duty in 1984 and again in 1990-1991.  His military decorations include the Kuwait Liberation Medal for his service during Desert Storm.  He achieved the rank of sergeant.

Jeff enjoyed golfing, riding his motorcycle and the soft drink, Dr. Pepper.  He was an avid McGregor Bulldog fan.  He was active in the McGregor community as a member of Victory Chapel Church and as a volunteer for the McGregor EMS, of which he served as vice-president and president.

Funeral services were held on June 5 at Cole Funeral Home Chapel in McGregor.  Present were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags at the entrance of the Chapel to welcome the arriving family and friends.

After the services, the funeral procession was lead by emergency medical aid vehicles and the Patriot Guard Riders to historic McGregor Cemetery for interment with military honors.

At the cemetery the Riders formed a line of flags around the burial site as final prayers were said and military honors rendered.  The Army bugler played taps and the Army honor guard folded the flag that had draped the casket into a tight triangle and presented it to Maria, Jeff’s dedicated and loving wife of 28 years, on behalf of the a grateful country and the United States Army.

Jeff was then laid to rest in the dappled shade of a sycamore tree, deep in the heart of Texas. 

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, a daughter, and son, his father and step-mother, four brothers, two sisters and a host of other dear family and friends.  His many friends include his fellow volunteers of the EMS, who gathered under a nearby shade tree to say good by to their friend.

With thanks to Cole Funeral Home for biographical information.

John Julius Irwin III, US Navy Veteran

John Julius Irwin III, US Navy Veteran

John Irwin III was born July 13, 1950 at Fort Hood, Texas and passed away May 15, 2010 at the age of 59. 

John proudly served his country in the United States Navy for four years.  He was, then, a firefighter for the Fort Hood fire department, retiring in 1989.  He and his family relocated to Macon, Georgia.

John was an outdoorsman and enjoyed bull riding, riding his motorcycle with his wife and horseback riding.

Funeral services were held on May 27 at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen.  Present at the funeral home were Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American Flags to welcome the arriving family and friends.

The Riders acted as pall bearers at the funeral home and at the cemetery.

After the funeral services, the funeral procession was lead by the Riders to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery south of Killeen.

Present at the cemetery were other Riders and 50 American flags which lined the road leading to the committal shelter.  The Riders formed a line of American flags along the front of the shelter as final services were conducted.

The interment services  included a reading, and explanation, of the Twenty Third Psalms.

Military honors were rendered by a US Navy Honor Guard.  Taps was played by the Navy bugler, the flag which draped the casket was folded into the traditional triangle, and presented to John’s wife, Brenda, on behalf of the President of the United States and the Chief of Naval Operations in appreciation for his service to this Country and a grateful Navy.

John Irwin III was then laid to rest on the western slope of the cemetery as the American flag flew at half-staff, in his honor, on the hill above.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 26 years, two daughters and many other dear family and friends.

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

First Sergeant Ireneo Shagun Mayo, US Army (Retired)

First Sergeant Ireneo  Shagun Mayo, US Army (Retired)

Ireneo Sahagun Mayo was born January 4, 1930 in Zambales, Santa Cruz, Philippines, the youngest of eight children, and died May 10, 2010 at his home.

Ireneo was the “Tata Inyong” of the Mayo Family, and was their “Hero, Root and Legend.”

Ireneo proudly served his country in the United States Army, honorably serving with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Division.  He served tours of duty in combat zones in Korea and in Vietnam as a member of a “Front Line Advisory Group” with the United Nations Command in Southeast Asia.

He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal five times for wounds he received in combat from deadly direct contact with the enemy, including small arms fire, mortar rounds and grenade sharp nails.

His other military decorations include the Bronze Star, two Air Medals and the Army Commendation Medal.

Ireneo retired in February 1976 with the rank of First Sergeant, serving with Headquarters, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry “MARNE” Division at Conn Barracks in Sweinfurt, Germany.

In retirement he was very active in the community of Killeen, Texas and was one of the founding members of the Killeen Filipino-American Association.

Ireneo was a member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, VFW, Disabled American Veterans and other military service organizations.

Visitation and rosary were held at the Heritage Funeral Home in Harker Heights.  Funeral mass was conducted at the funeral home on May 21.

Present at the funeral home on May 21,  were  Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags to welcome the family and friends arriving for mass.

The Riders then lead the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen for interment services with full military honors.

At the cemetery were other Riders and fifty American flags lining the roadway leading to the committal shelter to welcome the procession.

Final prayers were said and military honors were rendered as the Riders surrounded two sides of the shelter with a line of flags.

An Army rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country.  The Army bugler played taps and the American flag which had covered the casket was folded into the traditional triangle and presented the Mayo family on behalf of  a grateful country and the United States Army.

First Sergeant Ireneo Sahagun Mayo was then laid to rest on a bright and sunny day on the gentle slope of the cemetery.  The American flag at the top of the hill was flying at half-staff in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 53 years, Fe, four children and an extended family, “The MAYOCLAN” and many other dear friends.

Ireneo Shagun Mayo

Father, provider, soldier, engineer, public servant, and a friend to all.

With thanks to the Mayo family for biographical background.

Staff Sergeant Samuel Clyde Ray, US Army (Retired(

Staff Sergeant Samuel Clyde Ray, US Army (Retired)

Samuel Clyde Ray was born on August 15, 1925 in Miami, Florida and passed away on May 15, 2010 in Rockdale, Texas.

Samuel graduated from Miami Dade High School.  He proudly served his country in the United States Army for 30 years, retiring on January 31, 1967.  He was a master tank gunner and a life-time honorary member of the 2nd Squadron, 14the Armored Cavalry Regiment.

After relocating to Temple, Texas, he was employed by Artco-Bell for 20 years and the Temple Independent School District as a crossing guard for five years.

Funeral services were held on May 21 at Corinth Missionary Baptist Church in Temple.  A funeral procession carried his casket to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas for interment.

Awaiting the arrival of the procession were Patriot Guard Riders and fifty American flags which lined the road leading to the committal shelter.

The Riders formed a line of flags along the front of the shelter as final prayers were said and military honors were rendered by the Army honor guard.

The Army rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country, followed by the playing of taps by the Army bugler.  The American flag covering the casket was then folded into a tight triangle and presented to Samuel’s wife, Deloise, on behalf of a grateful country and the United States Army.

Samuel Clyde Ray was then laid to rest on the wind swept 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 of 27 years, five sons, two daughters 15 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and numerous other dear family and friends.


With thanks to the Temple Daily Telegram for biographical information.

Command Sgt. Major Robert J. McGuire, US Army (Retired)

Command Sgt. Major Robert J. McGuire, US Army (Retired)

Robert J. McGuire was born on July 12, 1939 in Floral Park, N. Y. and passed away on May 15, 2010, at the age of 70, in Temple, Texas.

Robert was raised and educated in Tampa, Florida, where he graduated from high school.  He also attended Central Texas College.

Robert joined the Army in 1958 and served for 30 years before retiring in 1988 at the rank of command sergeant major.  During his long, distinguished career, he was awarded the Legion of Merit, the sixth highest military decoration.  His other decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.  His  military career included service in Vietnam.

After his retirement, he was employed by Red Barn Nursery as a licensed nurseryman.

Robert was a member of many community organizations, including the VFW, the American Legion and the Southwest Bell County Fire Department.

Funeral services were held on May 20 at the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home Chapel in Killeen, Texas.  A procession from the Chapel to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas was led by a bright red fire truck of the Southwest Bell County Fire Department.

The procession was welcomed at the cemetery by  Patriot Guard Riders and 50 waving American Flags, which lined the roadway in front of the committal shelter.

The Riders formed a line of American flags around the shelter, as final prayers were said and formal military honors were rendered by the US Army Honor Guard.  A rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, representing Honor, Duty and Country.  Taps was played, and the flag which had covered the casket was folded and presented to Robert’s wife, Martha, on behalf of a grateful country and the United States Army.

The services concluded with the playing of Amazing Grace, by a bagpiper, a member of the Patriot Guard Riders.


Robert J. McGuire was then laid to rest on the gentle, west facing slope of the cemetery, as the American flag flew at half-staff at the top of the hill in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, a son, five daughters and numerous other dear friends and family.  Among his surviving family are 21 grandchildren and two great-children.


With thanks to the Killeen Daily Herald for biographical information.