SSG Marcus Vea, United States Army, Ret.

Marcus Vea was born June 22, 1954 in Watsonville, California and passed away November 27, 2011, at the age of 57, at Fort Hood, Texas.

Marcus proudly served his country in the United States Army for more then twenty years and retired in May 1994. At the time of his death he worked for Northrup Grumman.

A memorial service was held December 5, 2011 at the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Temple, 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 funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen.

At the cemetery, the Riders formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter as the United States Army Catholic Chaplain performed the rite of committal.

The United States Army Honor Guard rendered full military honors. The detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps.

The Honor Guard carefully unfolded the American flag that had rested against the urn, and refolded it into the traditional triangle. The folded flag was passed to a Non-Commissioned Officer who presented it to Marcus' family on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for his honorable and faithful service.

The urn containing the cremains of SSG Marcus Vea was then sealed into a niche of the columbarium wall, as his family and friends gathered 'round.

The American flag at the top of the hill above was flying at half-staff in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are a son, his mother, six sisters, two grand-children and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.









With thanks to the Killeen Daily Herald for biographical information.

CSM Paul David East, United States Army, Ret.

Paul David East was born May 2, 1948 and passed away November 17, 2011, at the age of 63, at Scott and White Continuing Care.

Paul proudly served his country in the United States Army for over 26 years, during the Vietnam War and Desert Storm. He retired with the rank of Command Sergeant Major. Among his many awards and decorations were the Bronze Star Medal, the Kuwait Liberation Medal and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Funeral services were held on November 22, 2011 at the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags at the entrance of the funeral home to welcome the arriving family and friends.

After the service, the Riders led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, just south of Killeen. At the cemetery, the procession was welcomed by fifty American flags flying briskly in the cold northerly wind.

On hand was the United States Army Honor Guard, who moved the flag draped casket from the hearse to the committal shelter. The Riders formed a line of flags around the shelter as final prayers were said.

The Army Honor Guard rendered full military honors. The detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps.

The flag that draped the casket was folded into a tight triangle and ceremoniously passed to an Army Non-Commissioned Officer. He presented the flag to Paul's dearly beloved wife, Catarina, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for Paul's honorable and faithful service.

Command Sergeant Major Paul David East was then laid to rest as the American flag flew at half-staff on the hill above.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, a son, two step-daughters, a step-son, two sisters and a host of other dear family and friends.




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

Sgt. Major LeRoy Julius Arnold, United States Army, Ret.

LeRoy Julius Arnold was born September 13, 1932 in Lake Crystal, Minnesota and passed away October 12, 2011 at the age of 79, in Copperas Cove, Texas.

Sgt. Major Arnold proudly served his country in the United States Army from the age of 15, having convinced his uncle to sign for him, when he volunteered during the Korean War. His service spanned 25 years and included guarding freedom and fighting in every conflict his country was involved in during his enlistment. He is lovingly remembered as a patriot, husband, father and committed follower of Jesus Christ. He lived his life by Homer's creed, "His sword the brave man draws and ask no omen but his country's cause."

After retiring from the Army, he moved to Rockford, Illinois, in 1976, and joined the Rockford School District to teach Jr. R.O.T.C.

Sgt. Major Arnold was most proud of his service with the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam, 1965-1966, where he earned the Combat Infantry Badge and the Army Commendation Medal. He was also awarded the Army Commendation Medal for his service with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea.

Sgt. Major Arnold became a Christian at the age of 49. He and his wife, Clara, were members of Elim Baptist Church in Rockford. He was known by his friends as a "Packer Backer". He led Promise Keepers meetings in Columbus, Wisconsin and was a Gideon for 28 years.

On October 17, 2011, interment services were held 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 minister read from the scripture and said the final prayers. The United States Army Honor Guard rendered full military honors. The detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The bugler played taps.

The American flag that had draped the coffin was folded into the traditional triangle and presented to Clara on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service of Sgt. Major Arnold.

The service concluded with the playing of Amazing Grace by the bag piper.

Sgt. Major LeRoy Julius Arnold was laid to rest on the sloping hillside, as the American flag flew at half-staff in his honor above. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 61 years, two daughters, two sons, a brother and a sister, nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a host of other dear family and friends.




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

Betty Reinhard, Veteran, US Women's Army Corps

Betty Reinhard was born in Chattanooga, TN on July 7, 1940 and passed away October 26, 2011 in Temple, Texas.

Betty proudly served her country in the United States Women's Army Corps as a specialist from 1961 to 1963. She worked for the Killeen Independent School District, and retired after 26 years. Betty also worked for the Bell County Sheriff's Office prior to her death.

Funeral services were held on November 1, 2011 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 funeral procession to the nearby Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, where the procession was welcomed by fifty American flags blowing in the Texas wind.

After the flag draped casket was moved from the hearse to the committal shelter, final prayers were said by the Reverend Terry Whitley, as the Patriot Guard Riders formed a lone of flags around the shelter.

Military Honors were rendered by the United States Army Honor Guard. The bugler played taps. The flag that draped the casket was folded into a tight triangle and presented to Betty's grandson on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for her honorable and faithful service.

Betty Reinhard, a WAC, was then laid to rest on the wind swept plain, as the American flag flew at half staff in her honor at the top of the hill.

Left to cherish her memory are her three children, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and one on the way, her sister and many other dear family and friends.




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

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.