SSgt Michael Stratten, United States Air Force

Michael Stratten was born October 11, 1981 at Pocatello, Idaho and passed away at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada on October 19, 2011, at the age of thirty.

Michael was on active duty with the United States Air Force at the time of his passing.

Michael's remains were flown to Austin, Texas on October 25. In attendance at the Austin-Bergstram Airport were the Patriot Guard Riders, who formed a honor line on the tarmac as the chartered aircraft arrived. The flag draped casket was removed from the aircraft by an Air Force Honor Guard and transferred to the waiting hearse. The Riders then escorted the hearse, in a motorcade, led by Austin Police Motor Officers to Killeen, Texas.

As the motorcade entered the city of Killeen, Killeen Officers halted all traffic on the highway at the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home. At the funeral home were more Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags along the highway to honor SSgt Michael Stratten.

Six of the Riders, acting as pall bearers, removed the flag draped casket from the hearse and carried it into the funeral home.

On November 2, a funeral service was held for Michael. Present at the funeral home 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, located on a gently sloping hillside, just south of Killeen.

At the cemetery fifty American flags blowing briskly in the southerly wind, lined the roadway in front of the committal shelter. Also present was the Air Force Honor Guard and an Air Force Color Guard. After the casket was moved from the hearse to the shelter, the Patriot Guard Riders formed a line of flags around three sides of the shelter.

Full military honors were rendered by the Honor Guard. The detail of seven rifles fired three rounds of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The bugler played taps. The flag that draped the casket was folded into the traditional triangle. It, and a second folded flag, were simultaneously presented to Michael's mother, Velta, and his dear wife, Stephanie, who held their infant son, on behalf of the President of the United States, the Department of the Air Force and a grateful nation as thanks for Michael's faithful and dedicated service.

The service concluded with the release of balloons by children of the Stratten family.

SSgt. Michael Stratten was then laid to rest, 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, his son, his parents, a sister, his grand-parents, and numerous other dear family, friends and fellow airmen.






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

Gary Davis, Unites States Air Force Veteran

Gary Davis was born April 18, 1943 and passed away on October 2, 2011 at the age of 68. He lived in Leander, Texas at the time of his death.

Gary proudly served his country in the United States Air Force and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant during his enlistment. His service included duty in Vietnam.

Gary was a cowboy who enjoyed cowboy shopping, target shooting with pistols and eating tender vittles. Gary was dog lover, and loved his dogs.

Interment services were held at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas on October 5, 2011. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter as military honors were rendered.

At the request of the family, taps was not played. The Air Force Honor Guard carefully folded the American flag that covered the casket into the traditional triangle. The folded flag was presented to Gary's dear wife, Connie, on behalf of the President of the United States, the Department of the Air Force, and a grateful nation for the faithful and dedicated service of S.Sgt Gary Davis.

Gary Davis was then laid to rest on the gentle slope 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, a daughter, many other dear family and friends, and his fellow members of the Williamson County Cowboy Church.

Larry Glenn, United States Navy Veteran

Larry Glenn was born January 19, 1944 at Charlotte, North Carolina and passed away November 1, 2011 at Laredo, Texas, at the age of 67.

Larry was a track star in high school and placed third in the Texas State mile run. Larry proudly served his country in the United States Navy for six years, enlisting after graduation from high school. His service included a deployment aboard the aircraft carrier Bon Homme Richard off the coast of Vietnam. He left the Navy with the rank of Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class (jet engine mechanic.)

Larry loved to fish and was a member of the American Legion and the VFW.

At the time of his death, his well worn bible was found opened to Psalm 106.

An interment service was held on November 10 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who, as pall bearers, moved the flag draped casket from the hearse to the committal shelter.

A family friend told of Larry's life and led the gathered family and friends in final prayers.

The United States Navy Honor guard rendered military honors. The Navy bugler played taps. The flag that covered the casket was folded into a tight triangle and presented to Larry's younger brother on behalf of the President of the United States and the Chief of Naval Operations as a symbol of appreciation for Larry's service to his country and a grateful Navy.

The service concluded with the playing of "The Old Rugged Cross."

Larry Glenn was then laid to rest on the slope of the cemetery, as the sun set over the Texas Hill Country, and the American flag flew at half-staff on the hill above in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his brother, his sister, two sons and numerous other dear family and friends.

Michael Parker, United States Army Veteran

Michael Rogers Parker was born March 20, 1947 in San Antonio, Texas and passed away on October 21, 2011 in Temple, Texas, at the age of 64.

Michael graduated from Phyllis Wheatly High School in San Antonio. He proudly served his country in the United States Army.

Funeral services were held on October 28 at the Branford/Dawson Funeral Chapel in Temple, with Pastor U.C. Barnes, Sr., Corinth Missionary Baptist Church offering Words of Comfort.

Interment services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. on the same day, at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas. At the cemetery, to welcome the arriving family and friends, were fifty American flags blowing in the brisk Texas wind, and the Patriot Guard Riders.

After the flag draped casket was moved from the hearse to the committal shelter, the Riders formed a line of American flags around the shelter.

The United States Army Honor Guard rendered military honors. The American flag that draped the casket was folded into the traditional triangle. The Army bugler played taps.

The folded flag was then presented to Michael's dear wife, Karen, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for Michael's honorable and faithful service.

Michael Parker was then laid to rest on the sloping 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, three brothers, four sisters, eight grandchildren and a host of other dear family and friends.

God saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb.
He gently closed those loving eyes.
And whispered, - peace be thine.

The weary hours and the days of pain,
The sleepless nights are passed.
The ever patient, worn-out frame,
Has found sweet rest at last.

God saw that you were getting weary;
So He did what He knew best.
He came and stood beside you,
And whispered - come and rest.

You bid no one a last farewell,
Not even a goodbye.

And only God knows why!

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

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Harold Lewis, United States Army, Ret.

Harold Lewis was born in Macon, Georgia on November 8, 1950 and passed away on November 2, 2011 from injuries suffered in a traffic accident in Central Texas.

Harold proudly served his country in the United States Army for 26 years, retiring in 1999.

Harold had a passion for Harley Davidson motorcycles and old cars. He spent several years restoring a 1980 Corvette. He was a member of the Mid Texas Corvette Club.

In September 2008, Harold and other motorcycle enthusiasts formed the Chrome Cruzer Motorcycle Club, of which he served as the president. At the time of the unfortunate accident that took his life, he was on a ride with members of the club.

Funeral services were held on November 10 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 funeral procession was led by the Riders to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen. The procession included hundreds of motorcycles and dozens of Corvettes.

At the cemetery, the procession was greeted by fifty American flags blowing in the Texas wind.

The flag draped casket was carried from the hearse to the committal shelter by the six soldier United States Army Guard. The Patriot Guard Riders then formed a line of American flags around the shelter and the hundreds of mourners, as the Priest said the final prayers.

Full military honors were rendered by the Honor Guard. The detail of seven rifles fired three volleys of fire representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps.

The American flag that draped Harold's coffin was carefully folded into a tight triangle and ceremoniously passed to an Army Lieutenant Colonel, who presented it to Harold's dear wife, Margo, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for his honorable and faithful service. As Margo received the flag, she held their grandson, Braylon, aged three, who was the joy of Harold's life.

CW3 Harold Lewis was then laid to rest on the windswept 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 Margo, two daughters, Braylon, a brother, a sister, numerous nieces, nephews and to many fellow soldiers, bikers and car enthusiasts to name.

Before leaving the cemetery, the members of the Chrome Cruzer club revved the engines of their motorcycles for a full sixty seconds, in honor of their fallen president.
















Link to video of the funeral procession arriving at the cemetery.

http://vimeo.com/32800731

With thanks to the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home for biographical information and photo and to Amanda Carter for additional photos.


http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org