Command Sergeant Major Donald Jaszkowski, United States Army, Ret.

Donald Jaszkowski was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1927 and passed away October 25, 2011 at Harker Heights, Texas at the age of 84.

Donald proudly served his country in the United States Army for over twenty years and retired with the rank of Command Sergeant Major. His service included Vietnam, for which he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

After retiring, Donald served as Executive Director of the Killeen Housing Authority. He was a member of the Retired Sergeants Major Association, the Korean Veterans Association, the Vietnam Veterans Association, the VFW, the DAV and the American Legion.

Funeral services were held on October 28 at the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, 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. After the service, the Riders led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen.

Present at the Cemetery were other Riders and fifty American Flags, blowing briskly in the cold Texas wind.

After the flag draped casket was moved from the hearse to the committal shelter, the Riders formed a line of American flags around the shelter.

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

Command Sergeant Major Donald Jaszkowski was then laid to rest on the sloping hill of the cemetery as the flag flew at half-staff on the hill above, in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, a son, a daughter, one brother, one sister, numerous nieces and nephews and many other dear family and friends.






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