Sergeant First Class David L. Wood, United States Army, Ret.

David Wood was born May 21, 1949 at Comanche, Texas and passed away on April 11, 2011, at the age of 61, at Killeen, Texas.

David proudly served his country in the United States Army for over twenty years, during the Vietnam War and retired with the rank of Sergeant First Class. In his retirement, he worked for Lockheed Martin Corporation in quality control. David was a helicopter mechanic his whole life.

Interment services with full military honors were held on April 14 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags around the committal shelter during the service.

Major Allen of the United States Army Chaplain Corps said the final prayers, and led the gathered family and friends in The Lord’s Prayer.

The United States Army Honor Guard rendered full military honors, befitting of a career soldier. The Army bugler played taps. The detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Honor Guard folded the flag that draped the chocolate casket into a tight triangle and passed it ceremoniously to an Army Staff Sergeant. He presented the flag David’s dear wife, Rhonda, on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful country as thanks for his many years of faithful service. Rhonda, in turn, presented the flag to their son, Jerramy, a Master Sergeant in the Army.

Sergeant First Class David Wood was laid to rest on the sloping plain of the cemetery, and the flag flew at half-staff at the top of the hill, in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, his son, a daughter, two sisters, five grandchildren and many other dear family and friends.

God Bless America

While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free.
Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.

God Bless America,
Land that I love
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains to the prairies,
To the oceans white with foam.
God bless America,
My home sweet home.

Irving Berlin

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