Sgt. Linwood House, United States Army (Ret.)

Linwood House was born January 21. 1935 in Inez, North Carolina and passed away October 13, 2011 at a Temple, Texas hospital after a battle with cancer due to his exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam.

Linwood served two tours in Vietnam and retired from the United States Army as a Sergeant.

After retiring from the Army, Linwood worked as a mechanic for Salvage Auto Parts, since 1986. He was also an avid mechanic of race cars.

Linwood was known as a patriot, and was a member of the Copperas Cove, Texas VFW, the Moose Lodge and the American Legion.

Memorial services and inurnment were held on October 25 at the Central Texas State VeteransCemetery at Killeen, Texas. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter.

Final prayers were offered by an Army Chaplain and full military honors were rendered by the United States Army Honor Guard.

The Army detail of three rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The bugler, standing on the hill above, played taps.

The American flag, that laid on the table with the Silver Urn, was unfolded and refolded into the traditional triangle and presented to Linwood's dear wife, Edith, by an Army Staff-Sergeant, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciate for his years of dedicated and faithful service.

The Silver Urn, containing Linwood's cremains, was then sealed into a niche of the wall, for all time, as the American flag flew at half-staff on the hill above.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, three children, one sister and a host of other dear family, friends and co-workers.









With thanks to the Killeen Daily Herald for biographical information.

Walter J. Lawrence, Jr., World War II Veteran

Walter Lawrence, Jr. was born March 16, 1923, in Portchester, New York, and passed away September 29, 2011 at Georgetown, Texas, at the age of 88.

Walter proudly served his country during World War II in the United States Army Air Corps as a pilot of C-47 cargo planes. His combat service included the Battle of Burma, the China Offensive and "flying the hump", the name given by Allied pilots to the eastern end of the Himalayan Mountains over which they flew military transport aircraft from India to China to resupply the Chinese war effort of Chiang Kai-shek and the units of the United States Army Air Forces in China. His many military decorations include the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster.

Walter left the service as a Captain.

Walter worked as a purchaser for Exxon Mobil for 35 years prior to retiring to Sun City Texas 14 years ago. He led an active lifestyle during his retirement and enjoyed extensive bicycling activities with his Sun City Cyclists friends. He also enjoyed tossing horseshoes and washers and love to play bridge.

Interment services were held on October 7 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 services.

Final prayers were said by Chaplain Dean Hamilton, followed by military honors by the United States Air Force Honor Guard. The bugler played taps. An American flag was folded into the traditional triangle by the Honor Guard and presented to the family 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 Captain Walter Lawrence, Jr.

The urn containing Walter's cremains was then buried at the foot of the hill, atop which flew the American flag, at half-staff, in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are four sons, a daughter, 11 grandchildren and many other dear family and friends. He was predeceased by his dear wife, Jane Marie, a daughter and his parents.

With thanks to Ramsey Funeral Home for biographical information and photo.

Sgt. Paul Rivera, United States Army, KIA, Afghanistan

Paul Rivera was born March 19, 1985 and passed away on October 22, 2011.

Paul grew up playing with Micro Machines and video games with his best friend Nick Carmona. He was known by all as charismatic, kind-hearted and deeply religious. Paul was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Austin, where he had served as an alter boy.

Paul grew up in Round Rock, Texas and was a member of the first graduating class of Stony Point High school. He was the manager of the school's basketball team.

Paul graduated from high school in 2003 and joined the United States Army, inspired to do so by the events of September 11, 2001.

At the time of his death, Paul was assigned to the 709th Military Police Battalion. He was on patrol in Logar Province, Afghanistan, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces, causing the vehicle in which he was riding to rollover, killing him. He was the 1,818th American to die in Afghanistan.

Paul was posthumously promoted to Sergeant and awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart Medal.

A funeral mass was conducted at St. Mary's Cathedral on November 2. The mass was performed by the Reverends Albert Laforet and Bud Roland who called Paul their "spiritual son". In attendance at the cathedral were Patriot Guard Riders from all over central Texas, 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 awaited more of the Riders and fifty American flags blowing briskly in the southerly Texas wind.

After the flag draped casket of Sgt. Rivera was moved from the hearse into the committal shelter, the Patriot Guard Riders formed a line of American flags, enveloping the shelter, the family, many friends and fellow soldiers in attendance for the committal service and the rendering of full military honors.

The Rite of Committal was performed by a Catholic Priest.

Military Honors were then rendered by the United States Army Honor Guard. The Army Detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps, as all in attendance stood at attention.

The Honor Guard folded the flag that draped the coffin into the traditional triangle. The folded flag was passed to a Command Sergeant Major, who, in turn, passed it to Brigadier General March Inch, Chief of the Military Police Corps Regiment and Commandant of the Army Military Police School.

General Inch presented the flag to Sgt. Rivera's mother, Evelyn, on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for Paul's honorable and faithful service.

Representatives of Gold Star Mothers presented a Gold Star Flag to Paul's mother and father.

Sgt. Paul Rivera was then laid to rest on the gentle sloping plain of the cemetery as the American flag flew at half-staff on the hill above.

Left to cherish his memory are his parents, Fred and Evelyn, his brother, Specialist Philip Rivera, United States Army, his grandmothers, uncles, cousins and many other dear family, friends, fellow soldiers and Senior Airman Nick Carmona, United States Air Force, Paul's childhood friend.












With thanks to the Austin American-Statesman, The Liberty Tree, Lisa Birkman and Amanda Carter for biographical information and additional photographs.


Links to news stories.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOK3PC5VZQo&feature=related

http://www.myfoxaustin.com/dpp/news/Funeral-For-RR-Soldier-Held-Today-20111102-ktbcw#axzz1d3f7oBkX

http://rrleader.com/main.asp?SectionID=1

Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian Lundy, Jr., United States Navy

Brian Lundy, Jr., known as "Peanut" by his friends, was born July 29, 1986 at the Bergstrom AFB, Austin, Texas, and passed away on September 9, 2011, another casualty of the war in Afghanistan. At the time of his death, he was on foot patrol as a Corpsman with the United States Marines.

Brian accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Zion Rest Missionary Baptist Church. He sang with the Voices of Joy and was an active member of TCIA and JCIA Youth groups. He was a Jr. Deacon and early on demonstrated an eagerness to serve. He had a passion for animals and spoke of being a veterinarian. He loved his Great Danes, his iguana and his parrot. He loved motorcycles, which fulfilled his need to live on the edge and his need to go fast.

Brian graduated from Bowie High School, in Austin, in May 2004. He received a scholarship to Huston Tillotson University in Austin, and enrolled in August 2004. During this period of his life, he decided college did not provide the challenge and adventure that he was seeking. Determined to fill a desire to do more with his life, and serve his country, he enlisted in the United States Navy in May 2006. He completed Basic training and Hospital Corpsmen 'A' School in Great Lakes, Illinois.

Brian's first duty station was aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Ronald Reagan from November 2006 to August 2008. He was next assigned to the Naval Hospital, 29 Palms, California from December 2008 to December 2010. When he became eligible, he applied for and was accepted to Special Training as a Hospital Corpsman with the Fleet Marine Force. He completed that training in March 2011. He was then assigned to the 2nd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in March 2011.

Brian was deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in July 2011. During his time there, he delivered a baby, treated an Afghani National for multiple stab wounds and removed a rock from the eye of a young Afghanistan boy. He had found his calling and his purpose in life. He was doing something that made him feel that he was making a difference.

Unfortunately, his life was cut short at 11:44 AM on September 9.

On September 14, 2011, at 10:00 AM, Brian made his last trip home aboard a Kalitta Charters aircraft, specially designed to return the remains of servicemen and women.

When the aircraft landed at the former Bergstrom base, where Brian was born, it was welcomed by a spray of water from two Austin Fire Department Fire Engines, dozens of Patriot Guard Riders, a Navy Honor Guard, a contingent of the Motor Detail of the Austin Police Department, his sister and other family and friends.

As the aircraft taxied into position, the Patriot Guard Riders stood quietly in front of their motorcycles. The Honor Guard stood at attention.

The pilots of the aircraft unloaded Brian's flag draped casket, which was carried to the waiting black hearse. Standing at attention throughout this process was a single Sailor, dressed in his Dress Blue Uniform, adorned with his many medals. This Sailor had accompanied Brian on this final trip home.

The Patriot Guard Riders accompanied the hearse in the procession, led by the Austin Police Officers, to the Cook-Walden Capitol Parks Funeral Home in Pflugerville, Texas.

At 10:00 AM on September 21, a Homegoing Celebration was held at Sweet Home Baptist Church in Round Rock, Texas. In attendance were scores of Patriot Guard Riders from all over Central and South Texas, to welcome the arriving family and friends with a line of American flags at the entrance to the church.

At the completion of the service, the Patriot Guard Riders led the funeral procession, escorted by the Austin officers, to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas.

Waiting at the cemetery were other Riders, fifty American Flags lined the roadway, and the Navy Honor Guard stood at attention. The flag draped casket was slowly moved from the hearse to the committal shelter. The Patriot Guard Riders, joined by the Austin officers, formed a honor line along the front of the shelter as full military honors were rendered.

The interment service began with final prayers by a minister. A seven rifle detail fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Navy bugler played taps, as all present stood at attention and saluted or held hand over the heart.

The American flag that had draped the casket on the long trip home, was carefully folded into the traditional triangle and presented to Brian's mother, Ramona, on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Navy and a grateful nation as thanks for his sacrifice to his country. A second folded flag was presented to Brian's father, Brian, Sr..

Brian was then laid to rest on the sun-drenched plain of the cemetery, deep in the heart of Texas.

Left to cherish his memory are his parents, his sister Joslyn, his grandmothers, his best friend Brandon, and a host of other dear family, friends, fellow sailors and Marines.

The world is a lessor place without Brian,
but Heaven is so much better.

With thanks to Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home for biographical information and to Amanda Carter for additional photographs.





http://weareaustin.com/search-fulltext?nxd_id=180397

http://www.kvue.com/news/Family-friends-remember-Austin-sailor-130245483.html