Plt.Sgt. Willie McNew

Willie "Bill" McNew was born January 7, 1926 in Speedwell, Tennessee and passed away on June 5, 2012 at the age of 87.

Bill proudly served his country in the United States Army for 24 years, serving in Occupied Germany, Korea and Vietnam.  Bill was a career tanker and retired in 1974 as a Platoon Sergeant, due to severe battlefield injuries he had sustained in Vietnam in December 1970.

Bill's numerous awards and decorations include the Soldiers Medal, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for valor, for heroism during what has been documented as the "Anonymous Battle", in March 1970.  The Presidential Unit Citation, the highest award  that can be awarded to a unit, was awarded to soldiers who participated in this battle by President Obama on October 20, 2009.
http://atroopheroes.com/about.html

Funeral services were held on June 11 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Copperas Cove, Texas.  In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags at the entrance to the church 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, Texas.  Welcoming the family and friends were fifty American flags lining the roadway at the committal shelter.

After the flag draped casket was moved from the hearse to the shelter, the Riders formed a line of flags around the shelter as the Catholic Priest led the gathering in final prayers and 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 American flag that draped the casket was folded into the traditional triangle and passed to an Army Non-Commissioned Officer.  He presented the flag to Erika, Bill's dear wife of 57 years, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for Bill's honorable and faithful service.

Platoon Sergeant Willie McNew was laid to rest on the wind swept 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 wife, a son and two daughters, their spouses, three grandchildren and a host of other dear family and friends.

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

TSgt Walter T. Gentry, United States Air Force, Ret.

Walter Gentry was born in Pacolet Mills, South Carolina on October 3, 1924 and passed away May 30, 2012, at the age of 87, at his home in Temple, Texas.

Walter proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for over twenty years.  His service included aerial combat missions in the European Theater.  Walter was a prisoner of war during World War II, having been captured when his aircraft was shot down, in 1944, while flying over Poland.  He was a recipient of the Purple Heart.

Walter married the love of his life, Elise, on December 2, 1949 in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

After retiring from the Air Force, Walter worked for General Dynamics in Fort Worth for over 20 years, as a Maintenance Document Analyst.

On June 4 a funeral service was held at the Canyon Creek Baptist Church in Temple.  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, Texas.  There the family was welcomed by more of the Riders and fifty American flags blowing briskly in the southerly Texas wind.

After the flag draped casket was moved from the hearse to the committal shelter, the Riders formed a line of flags around the shelter as full military honors were afforded to Walter by the United States Air Force Honor Guard.

The flag that draped the casket was folded into a triangle and passed to an Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer who clutched it to his chest while the detail of three rifles fired three volleys of fire and the bugler played taps.  The flag was then  presented  to Walter's daughter 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 Walter to his country.

After the Honor Guard retired, the family's minister read from the scripture, 1 Corinthians 15, verse 58,  "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that labour is not in vain in the Lord."  He then led the gathering in final prayer.

TSgt Walter T. Gentry, a member of "the greatest generation," was then laid to rest next to his dearly beloved wife, as the American flag flew at half-staff on the hill above.

Left to cherish his memory are two daughters and their husbands, eight grand children, eleven great-grand children, one great-great-grandchild and many other dear family and friends.

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

CW4 Bobby Smith, United States Army, Ret.

Bobby Smith passed away at his home in Waco, Texas on April 23, 2012 at the age of 76.

Bobby proudly served his country for 26 years, beginning in the United States Marine Corps and then transferring to the Army.  He rose in the enlisted ranks to Staff Sergeant before attending flight school and becoming an Aviation Warrant Officer.

His service included a tour of duty in Korea, two tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, and selection to the Presidential Flight Staff.

His love of flying continued after his retirement from the Army as he flew commercially for many years and then built his own airplane.

Bobby earned a degree in Aeronautical Engineering through Embry Riddle University and used his knowledge to design and build electronic components for aircraft as well as computers and ham radios.

After his wife's death in 2002, he found a new passion in motorcycles and enjoyed traveling the country on two wheels.

An inurnment service, with full military honors, was held on June 12 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 United States Army Honor Guard rendered the honors.  The detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country.  The Army bugler, standing in the shade of a live oak tree, played taps.  The flag that had rested against the cremains was carefully unfolded and refolded into a tight triangle, and presented to Bobby's son, Frank, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for his honorable and faithful service.

A second folded American flag was presented to Bobby's daughter, Marilyn, who is a dedicated Patriot Guard Rider.

The cremains of CW4 Bobby Smith were buried nearby, as the American flag flew at half-staff, in his honor, on the hill above.





Left to cherish his memory are his son, two daughters, a brother, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

With thanks to the Waco Tribune-Herald for biographical information and to Amanda Carter for additional photographs.

LTC Gordon Howard, United States Army, Ret.

Gordon Howard passed away on April 26, 2012 in Temple, Texas at the age of 88.

Gordon proudly served his country in the United States Army for many
years, retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel.  He lived many years in Arizona, before moving to Belton, Texas where his daughter lives.







During his years in Arizona, Gordon was a dedicated volunteer at the Glendale Library.  He was highly respected by all who knew him there, and is remembered for his smile, his hugs and his witty tales.

Graveside services were held on May 1 at the 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.

A "cowboy" preacher spoke of Gordon's life and how he loved everything about Texas, and said the final prayers.

The 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 flag that draped the casket was folded into a tight triangle and ceremoniously passed to an Army Officer, who presented it to Gordon's daughter on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for Gordon's honorable and faithful service.

LTC Gordon Howard was 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 daughter, Barbara, two grandsons, three great-grandchildren and numerous other dear family and friends.



 

Safely Home

I am home in heaven, dear ones,

Oh, so happy and so bright!

There is perfect joy and beauty

in this everlasting light.

all the pain and frief is over,

very restless tossing passed.

I am now at peace forever,

safely home in heaven at last.

there is still work waiting for you,

so you must not idly stand.

Do it now, while life remaineth,

you shall rest in God's own land.

When that work is all completed,

He will gently call you home.

Ah, the rapture of that meeting,

Oh, the joy to see you come! 

 

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

Sgt. Gary Miller, United States Army, Ret.

Gary Miller was born March 30, 1973 in Trenton, New Jersey and passed away May 5, 2012 at Killeen, Texas at the age of 39.

Gary proudly served his country in the United States Army and was medically retired.

On May 25 the Patriot Guard Riders led the funeral procession from Heritage Funeral Home in Harker Heights, Texas to the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, where the procession was welcomed by fifty American flags blowing in the southerly wind.

After the Army Honor Guard moved the flag draped casket from the hearse to the committal shelter, the Riders formed a ling of flags around the shelter during the service.

A minister read from the scripture and said the final prayers.

The 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 flag that covered Gary's casket was carefully folded into the traditional triangle and passed to a Non-Commissioned Officer.  He presented the flag to Gary's dear wife on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for Gary's honorable and faithful service.

Sgt. Gary Miller 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 and children, and many other dear family and friends.

MSG David Nowlin, United States Army, Ret.

David Jon Nowlin passed away May 17, 2012 at Killeen, Texas at the age of 56.  David proudly served his country in the United States Army for more than twenty years, retiring with the rank of Master Sergeant.

On May 24 the Patriot Guard Riders gathered at the Heritage Funeral Home in Harker Heights, Texas.  The Riders led the funeral procession carrying David's family and friends to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen for inurnment service with full military honors.

At the columbarium of the cemetery awaited more Riders and American flags surrounding the committal shelter.

An Army Chaplain offered the final prayers and rite of committal.

The Army Honor Guard rendered the 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 then carefully unfolded the American flag that had rested next to David's cremains and refolded it into a tight triangle.  The flag was passed to a Non-Commissioned Officer who presented it to David's dear wife on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for David's honorable and faithful service.




The cremains of MSG David Nowlin were placed into a niche of the columbarium wall as the family and friends gathered around and the American flag flew at half-staff at the top of the hill in his honor.

Col. H. C. Copeland, USAF (Ret.)

H.C. Copeland was born in Brady, Texas on February 13, 1931 and passed away in Round Rock, Texas on June 12, 2012, at the age of 81.

H.C. proudly served his country in the United States Air Force.  He was commissioned a Second Lt. on April 30, 1953.  His many duty stations in his early career include Webb AFB, Texas, McGhee Tyson, Tennessee, Fort Knox, Kentucky, Tin City, Alaska, Fairchild AFB, Washington, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona and Takhli Royal Thai AFB, Thailand.

H.C. was a jet pilot, having earned his wings in April, 1956.  On July 17, 1967 he was piloting a F-105 Thunderchief jet on a mission over North Vietnam when his aircraft was struck by enemy fire.  He was forced to eject from his aircraft and was taken prisoner by the North Vietnamese.  He spent 2068 days in captivity, until his release during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973.

Col. Copeland was briefly hospitalized  for his injuries at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas.  He then served on the staff of Headquarters 12th Air Force at Bergstrom AFB in Austin, Texas from August 1973 until his retirement on August 1, 1979.

A memorial service with military honors was held on June 15 at the Cook-Waldren/Capital Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, 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.

The service included a slide show of photos of Col. Copeland with his family accompanied by the songs "The Dance", by Garth Brooks. and "Go Rest High on that Mountain" by Vince Gill.

After the service, the flag draped casket was moved to the outside portico, where the Patriot Guard Riders had formed a line of American Flags.  The United States Air Force Honor Guard rendered military honors.

The American flag that draped the casket was carefully folded into the traditional triangle.  The three rifle detail fired three volleys of fire representing Duty, Honor and Country.  A military bugler played taps.

The folded flag was then presented to Col. Copeland's son, Glenn, 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 Col. H.C. Copeland.

Graveside services were held on June 16 at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens in San Angelo, Texas.

Left to cherish  precious memories are his son and his daughter and their spouses, four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a host of close friends and other relatives.

With thanks to Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home for biographical information and photo.