SP4 Thomas Drosche, United States Army Veteran

 Thomas Drosche was born April 26, 1943 and passed away February 4, 2013.  Aged, 69.  Thomas was a resident of Gatesville, Texas at the time of his death.

Thomas served his country in the United States Army and was a Vietnam Veteran.

An interment service was held for Thomas on February 7 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.

At the cemetery were the Patriot Guard Riders, standing with the fifty American flags that lined the roadway to the committal shelter.

After the flag draped casket was moved from the hearse to the shelter, the Riders formed a line of flags along the front of the shelter as final prayers were offered and military honors rendered.

  During the service a long time friend of Thomas said that he had known Tom for sixty years, longer than anyone else present.  He told of how they entered the Army together.  First serving in Germany, then in Vietnam.  They were artillerymen.

The minister then led the family in The Lord's Prayer.

 
The Army bugler played taps, as all present stood and faced the coffin.

 

 
The American flag that covered the coffin was folded into a triangle.  An Army Non-Commissioned Officer presented it to Thomas' dear wife, Charlene, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for his honorable and faithful service

 
Thomas Dorsche 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, their children, grandchildren and many other dear family and friends.

Michael Ward Matty, United States Navy Veteran

 Michael Ward Matty, a veteran of the United States Navy, passed away on January 16, 2013 at Temple, Texas.  He has no known family.  Thus, little is known about this veteran.
 

An interment service was held for Michael on February 6 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.  When the hearse arrived at the committal shelter, Michael was welcomed by fifty American flags blowing briskly in the Texas wind, and scores of Patriot Guard Riders who lined the roadway, standing at attention, saluting as the hearse passed by.

Six of the Riders, acting as pall bearers, carried the flag draped coffin into the shelter as the Riders saluted.  After the coffin was at rest, the Riders filled the shelter during the rendering of military honors by the United States Navy Honor Detail.










Taps was played by the bugler, as the Riders stood at attention, facing the coffin, and saluted.

 

   
The American flag that covered the casket was carefully folded into the traditional triangle and presented to the funeral director, in lieu of any family, on behalf of the President of the United States and the Chief of Naval Operations as a symbol of appreciation for Michael's service to this Country and a grateful Navy.

A Patriot Guard Chaplain said a few words for Michael, and led the Riders in The Lord's Prayer.

 

The six pall bearers then removed the coffin from the shelter and carried it to the waiting cemetery van, which transported it to the grave site.

Michael Ward Matty was laid to rest on the sloping hillside of the cemetery, as the American flag flew at half-staff at the top of the hill in his honor.

With thanks to Ceej Foy for additional photographs.

MSGT Sylvester Smeltzer, United States Air Force, Ret.

 
Sylvester "Sy" Smeltzer was born February 22, 1929 and passed away January 4, 2013 in Georgetown, Texas.  Age, 83.

He was raised in Greensburg, Pa. where he graduated from Greensburg High School in 1947.  It was there that he met his wife, Olga, whom he married on September 12, 1950.

In 1947 he enlisted in the United States Air Force.  He earned a Bachelor's Degree of Arts in Political Science from Rutgers University and a Master's Degree of Education in Rehabilitation Administration from Antioch College in Ohio.  After 21 years of service in the Air Force, he retired as a Senior Master Sergeant.

In retirement, he worked in vocational rehab as a counselor.  He became the regional supervisor and eventually director of Vocational Rehabilitation at the Texas Commission for the Blind.

Sy was a member of both the Rutgers Alumni Association and the Air Force Sergeants Association.  He enjoyed history and tradition, traveling the country and beyond with his family.  He was proud to capture the adventures of his children and grandchildren with his ever present camera.

Sy was a quiet man who loved to be in the presence of his family.  He could tell some amazing stories of his life in the military and of other adventures.

Olga, his dearly beloved wife of 62 years, passed away on December 26, 2012.  Her funeral services where on December 30.  A bare five days before the passing of Sy.

Funeral services for Sy were on January 11 at the Georgetown Church of Christ in Georgetown, Texas, the same location as for Olga.

On hand for the service were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed lines of American flags under the portico to welcome the arriving family and friends, and to honor a fallen member of the greatest generation.

MSG Sylvester Smeltzer was later laid to rest, nest to Olga, at Cook Walden Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas, where he was honored with full military honors.

Left to cherish their precious memories are their three daughters and their spouses, four grand children, two great-grandchildren and numerous other dear family and friends.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made in Sy's honor to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

With thanks to Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home for biographical information and images.

SP5 Robert Holderby, United States Army Veteran

Robert Holderby was born October 26, 1946 in Lubbock, Texas and passed away December 10, 2012, at the age of 66.  He was a resident of Gatesville, Texas at the time of his death.

Robert attended school in Duncanville, Texas, and graduated from Central Union High School in El Centro, California in 1966.

Robert  was a veteran of the Vietnam War, having honorably served his country in the United States Army from 1967 to 1970.

Robert married Kathy Wynell Southerland on April 24, 1970.  While living in Gatesville, he was active in community affairs.  He served in the Gatesville Exchange Club, the Gatesville Lions Club and in Cars on the Way.  He was a deacon, trustee and Sunday School teacher of Trinity Baptist Church.  He was an avid fan of auto racing, from dirt track racing to NASCAR.

An interment service was held on December 13 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas, with the Rev. Tim Crosby officiating.  In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders to honor yet another fallen Vietnam Veteran.

As final prayers were offered, and military honors rendered, the Riders formed a line of American flags along the front of the committal shelter, and fifty American flags lined the roadway at the shelter.

The Army Honor Detail afforded the military honors.  The Army bugler played taps, as all in attendance stood at attention, facing the flag draped coffin.  The flag that draped the coffin was carefully folded into  the traditional triangle, and presented to Robert's wife of 42 years, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for his honorable and faithful service.

SP5 Robert Holderby was laid to rest on the plain of the cemetery, overlooking the Texas Hill Country in which he had lived for so many years.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, two daughters and their spouses, three grandchildren a great-grandson and numerous other dear family and friends.

With thanks to the Imperial Valley Press Online for biographical information.

PV2 William Corujo, United States Army, Vietnam Veteran

William "Ace" Corujo was born October 21, 1950 and passed away January 12, 2013, aged 62, at his residence in Cedar Park, Texas.

William proudly served his country in the United States Army, and was a highly decorated Vietnam Veteran.

Services were held for William on January 18 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas.  On hand to owner this brave veteran, were the Patriot Guard Riders who posted fifty American flags alone the roadway of the cemetery.

The Riders, acting as pall bearers, moved the flag draped coffin from the funeral coach to the committal shelter, then formed a line of flags along the front of the structure.

William's son briefly addressed the gathering, thanking them for their attendance.

The Army bugler played taps, as all stood and faced the coffin.  The Army Honor detail carefully folded the American flag that covered the coffin into the traditional triangle.  It was presented to William's son, Randy, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for Williams's honorable and faithful service.

PV2 William Corujo was laid to rest on the sloping hillside of the cemetery as the American flag flew at half staff, in his honor, on the hill above.

Left to cherish his memory are four sons, a daughter, three step-children, ten grandchildren and a host of other  family and friends.

With thanks to the Waco Tribune for biographical information.

CWO4 Adrian Munoz, Sr., United States Army, Ret.

 Adrian Munoz, Sr. was born at the King Ranch in south Texas on October 15, 1933.  He passed away January 1, 2013, aged 79, at his residence, surrounded by his family.



Adrian grew up in south Texas and graduated from Piedmont High School.  He was drafted into the Army after graduation and served, proudly, for 39 years in the Army and in the National Guard.  While in the service he attended Liberty University  in Virginia.  Adrian was a veteran of the Korean War and also served in Germany.



Adrian was a retiree from the military, Federal Government and the State of Texas.  His many awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal and the Texas Faithful Service Medal, awarded six times.






Adrian enjoyed dancing, camping and hunting.  He was a fan of the Texas Longhorns, and he enjoyed making people laugh during his occasional days as a clown.  He was a talented musician, playing drums, the accordion and the guitar.

Adrian was a deeply religious man and was a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus.



On January 7, a Mass and funeral service for Adrian was held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Kyle, Texas.   On hand to honor this veteran were the Patriot Guard Riders of the Austin Region.  After the service, the Riders led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas, where the family was welcomed by more Patriot Guard Riders and fifty American flags blowing briskly in the Texas wind.



After the flag draped coffin was moved from the coach to the committal shelter, the Riders formed a line of flags around the shelter during the service.



A Catholic Chaplain of the United States Army led the gathering in the final prayers and the graveside Rite of Committal.  A family friend, an Army Officer, spoke of the Munoz family tradition of loyalty and morality.



Adrian's son, Adrian, Jr., called out "The Final Roll Call."  He called, in turn, the names of the various members of the family and friends who have served in the military, by rank and name.  Each, in turn, replied, "Here, Sir.'  The Roll Call ended by calling out, three times, the name,  Chief Warrant Officer 4 Adrian Munoz, Sr.  The lack of response represented the absence of a fallen soldier.



The United States Army Honor Detail performed full military honors.  The detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire representing Duty, Honor and Country.  The Army Bugler played taps, as all in attendance stood, facing the coffin.


The Detail folded the American flag that draped the coffin into a perfect triangle and ceremoniously passed it to a Captain of the United States Army.  He presented it to Adrian's dear wife of 56 years, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for Adrian's honorable and faithful service.


Adrian, Jr.,then presented folded flags to each of his four sisters.  The service concluded with the presentation of a folded flag to Jr., himself a veteran and a Patriot Guard Rider, by an Officer of the United States Army.



CWO4 Adrian Munoz, Sr., was then 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 Gracie, his wife, his four daughters and one son, 17 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and a host of other dear family and friends.

With thanks to the Harrell Funeral Home for biographical information and additional photograph.