Sgt. Juan P. Navarro, United States Army, KIA

Juan Navarro passed away on July 9, 2012, at the age of 23, in Afghanistan when he was attacked by enemy forces with an improvised explosive device.

Juan was a native of Austin, Texas and graduated from Lanier High School in 2007. 

Juan joined the United States Army in June  2008 and completed his basic training at Fort Benning, Georgia.  He was an infantryman and warrior leader.  At the time of his death he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.  He was on his second tour in a combat zone, having served in Iraq in 2009. His many military awards included multiple awards of the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.  He also had been awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge.

Juan's flag draped coffin was returned to his hometown, by charter jet, on July 16.  On hand to honor and receive him were the Patriot Guard Riders who stood at attention as the flag draped coffin was moved from the plane to the waiting hearse.

The Riders, and Officers of the Austin Police Department, escorted the hearse across town to the Cook-Walden Funeral home, where the Riders again stood at attention and saluted as the coffin was moved from the hearse to the funeral home.


Funeral services were held on July 18 at the funeral home where the Riders formed a line of American flags at the entrance to welcome the many family and friends.

After the service, the Riders and the Police led the procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas.  When the procession arrived there, it was welcomed by fifty American flags along the roadway, blowing briskly in the Texas wind.

The flag draped coffin was slowly carried from the hearse to the committal shelter by the Army Honor Guard and the Patriot Guard Riders surrounded the shelter with a line of America flags.

Major General Anthony Ierardi, Commanding General of the First Cavalry Division, based at Fort Hood Texas, led the United States Army Honor Guard in the rendering of full military Honors.

The Honors began with Gen. Ierardi presenting the Bronze Star medal and the Purple Heart to Juan's parents.

The Army  detail   of six rifles fired three volleys of fire representing Duty, Honor and Country.  The Army bugler played taps, as the gathering stood at attention:  Veterans and Soldiers saluting, all others with hand over heart.



The Honor Guard then carefully folded the flag that had draped the coffin, on its long trip home, into a tight triangle, placed three expended cartridges into the folds, and ceremoniously passed it to Gen. Ierardi.  The Commanding General of thousands of soldiers presented the flag to Juan's parents, Victor and Cristina, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for their son's honorable and faithful service.




Sgt. Juan P. Navarro, killed in the service of his country, was then laid to rest on the sloping plain of the hill side.  Left to cherish his memory are his parents, eight sisters, two brothers, many aunts and uncles and to many other dear family, friends and fellow soldiers to mention.












Many of the gathered family and friends wore white tee shirts bearing Juan's photo and a poem he wrote about his tour of duty.   On the back of the shirts: "nuffsaid"

"God loves me enough to let me go through all these lessons I came here to learn. Even the ones that hurt the most."
By Sgt. Juan Navarro


With thanks to Statesman.com for biographical information and to Jay James, American-Statesman, and to Casey James, KXAN-TV for additional photographs.

SSG Donald Sumner Jr., United States Army

Donald Sumner Jr. was born December 2, 1970 in Columbia, South Carolina and passed away at his residence in Harker Heights, Texas on June 16, 2012, at the age of 41.  Donald was on active duty in the United States Army at the time of his death.

Donald entered the Army in November 1988 as a motor transport operator.  He had been stationed at Fort Hood, Texas since August 2010 and was assigned to the 67th Forward Support Company, 41st Fires Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.  Donald had been deployed to Iraq from February 2003 to February 2004, January 2005 to January 2006, May 2007 to October 2007 and November 2008 to October 2009.

His numerous military decorations include four Army Commendation Medals, and seven Good Conduct Medals.

On June 22 a funeral service was conducted at the Heritage Funeral Home in Harker Heights.  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 where the family was warmly welcomed by fifty American flags lining the cemetery road.

The flag draped casket was solemnly moved from the hearse to the Committal shelter by the United States Army Honor Guard, and the Patriot Guard Riders formed a line of America flags around the shelter.

Army Chaplain Burden said the final prayers and led the gathering in The Lord's Prayer.  He concluded with the rite of committal:

Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy to take unto himself the soul of our dear brother here departed, we therefore commit his body to the ground;  earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust;  in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ;  who shall change our vile body, that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself.

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

The American flag that draped the coffin was carefully folded into a tight triangle and ceremoniously passed to an Army Staff Sergeant, who presented it to Donald's dear wife, Catherine, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for Donald's honorable and faithful service.

Three additional folded flags were presented to Donald's children and to another family member.

SSG Donald Sumner Jr. was then laid to rest on the sloping plain 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, his two children, a sister, his parents and many other dear family and friends.







With thanks to the Killeen Daily Herald for biographical information and to Ceej Foy for additional photo.

SFC Wayne Lee McMillan, United States Army, Ret.

Wayne McMillan was born December 8, 1959 at Corning, New York and passed away June 10, 2012 at Killeen, Texas at the age of 52, after a long battle with cancer.

Wayne proudly served his country in the United States Army for 21 years and retired with the rank of Sergeant First Class.  Wayne loved playing poker, throwing darts, spending time with his family and watching his favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys.

On June 14 the Patriot Guard Riders assembled at the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen and escorted the funeral procession the short distance to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, just south of Killeen.  The procession was met there by fifty American flags blowing in the southerly wind.

The United States Army Honor Guard slowly moved the flag draped casket to the committal shelter, after which the Riders formed a line of American flags around the shelter during the graveside service and military honors.

 

Captain Hoose, an Army Chaplain, led the gathering in the Lord's Prayer, read 23 Psalm and concluded with:

May The Lord Bless You

  May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious to you.

May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
and give you peace.

(a Judeo-Christian blessing)

Several of Wayne's family and friends, who called him "Big Mac", then told the gathering of their favorite memories of Big Mac.

The Army Honor Guard then afforded to SFC McMillan full military honors.  The detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country.  Two buglers played taps.

The flag that draped the casket was folded into the traditional triangle and passed to an Army Non-Commissioned Officer, who presented it to Donna, Wayne's dear wife, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for Wayne's honorable and faithful service.

SFC Wayne McMillan was then laid to rest on the grassy plain of the cemetery, 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, five sons, his daughter (a member of the United States Air Force), three grandchildren, his mother, four brothers, five sisters and a host of other dear family and friends.

Creation's Flight

With every changing season

The sky has seemed to say

Lift your thoughts toward heaven

Come and fly away

Through life there is a beckon

Toward a final flight

The seasons are preparing

A change from faith to sight 

And then one day it can be heard

Seems nature hears it too

The time has come to journey

To a place prepared for you

Rising toward the cloudless day

On gentle winds to glide

Toward that final season

Where eternity abides

by Sherrie Bradley Neal

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

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.