Master Sergeant Robert Lewis, Sr., United States Army

Robert Lewis was born September 8, 1964 in Anahuac, Texas and passed away March 5, 2011, at the age of 46.

Robert enlisted in the United States Army on January 8, 1985 and was on active duty at the time of his death. His first assignment was as a Tank Armor Crewman. His duty assignments included Germany, Korea, Kuwait, and three deployment tours in Iraq.

His many military decorations and awards include the Bronze Star Medal, multiple awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal, and eight Good Conduct Medals. He was awarded the Ordnance of Samuel Sharpe and was a member of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.

He was a graduate of Sam Houston State University with a B.A. degree in Business Administration.

Funeral Services were held on March 14 at Greater Vision Community Church 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. At the conclusion of the service, the Riders led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen.

An Army Honor Guard moved the casket from the hearse to the committal shelter. The Patriot Guard Riders formed a line of American flags around the shelter as final prayers were said and military honors were rendered.

The final prayers included:

“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 seven rifle detail fired three rounds of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps. The Honor Guard carefully folded the American flag that draped the casket into a tight triangle. The flag was then passed to an Army Non-Commissioned Officer who presented it to Robert’s beloved wife, Verdell, on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation, as thanks for Robert’s many years of service to his country.

Folded flags were also presented to each of his five children.

Master Sergeant Robert Wayne Lewis was then laid to rest on the gentle slope of the cemetery as the American flag flew at half-staff on the hill above in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, his children, three brothers, two sisters, a host of other relatives and friends and his extended military family.

Sgt. Edward Lee Hoglund III, United States Army

Edward Hoglund was born on November 5, 1976 at Chicago, Illinois and passed away March 2, 2011, at the age of 34, from injures suffered in a traffic accident at Ft. Stewart, Georgia.

Edward was a Sergeant in the United States Army at the time of his passing, and had served three tours of duty in Iraq. He was assigned to B Co., 3/69 Armor, 3rd Infantry Division.

A family visitation was held on Monday morning at the Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen, Texas. Thereafter, the Patriot Guard Riders led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen for interment services.

The procession was greeted at the cemetery by fifty American flags, the Texas State Flag and the flags of all the military services, blowing in the brisk northerly Texas wind.

The flag draped casket was moved from the hearse into the committal shelter by the Army Honor Guard. The Patriot Guard Riders then formed a line of American flags along the front of the shelter.

Edward’s father-in-law, affectionately calling him Eddie, spoke of Eddie’s life, his traits, his habits and his good deeds. He told of how Eddie was proud to be a “grunt”. He related a story that emphasized Eddie’s honesty. The story was of how Eddie was playing soccer with a group of boys when he kicked the ball over a fence into the side of a car, denting the side of the car. The boys were shouting, “run Eddie, run!” , but he didn’t. He did the right thing.

He also told of some of Eddie’s favorite sayings:

“Life isn’t fair, get over it”
“No whining allowed”
“Your not entitled to anything if you don’t work for it.”

Captain Michael Dawson of the United States Army Chaplain Corps said the final prayers.

Full military honors were rendered by the Army Honor Guard. The seven rifle detail fired three rounds of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps. The Honor Guard then folded the American flag that covered the silver casket into the traditional triangle. It was passed ceremoniously to an Army Staff Sergeant who presented the flag to Edward's wife, Amanda, 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.

Folded flags were also presented to Edward’s father, his son and one of his daughters. The daughter returned the salute of the Sergeant, after he presented the flag to her.

Sgt. Edward Lee Hoglund, III was then laid to rest on the wind swept plain of the cemetery as the American flag flew at half-staff on the hill above in his honor.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, his son, two daughters, his father and many other dear family, friends and fellow soldiers.

Taps

Day is done, gone the sun
From the lake, from the hill,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest. God is nigh.

Thanks and praise for our days
‘neath the sun, ‘neath the stars,

‘neath the sky.
As we go, this we know. God is nigh.

With thanks to the Killeen Daily Herald for biographical information.

John C. Wright, United States Army

John Wright was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on August 21, 1946 and passed away on March 4, 2011.

John served his country in the United States Army for over 18 years and was a disabled veteran. He was a lifetime student of Western History and a cowboy in his heart. He also had a passion for trains and was a motorcycle rider. He was a member of the American Legion at Harker Heights, Texas.

An inurnment service was held on March 10, 2011 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 service.

Final prayers were said by the Rev. Stephen Schmidt, who led the gathered family and friends in The Lord’s Prayer.

The Army bugler played taps, and the Honor Guard carefully unfolded the American flag that laid against the Urn, then refolded it into the traditional triangle. The flag was then presented to John’s dear wife, JoAnn, on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation as thanks for his many years of faithful service.

John’s Urn was then placed into a niche of the columbarium wall, and sealed shut for all eternity.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, two daughters, a sister, two grandsons, five granddaughters, four adopted daughters and his two beloved dogs, Sadie and Chilow.




I’M FREE

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free
I’m following the path God has chosen for me.
I took his hand when I heard Him call;
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I’ve now found peace at the end of day.

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joys.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;
Oh yes, these things, I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
Look for the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much;
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.
Perhaps my time seems all too brief;
Don’t lengthen your pain with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and peace to thee,
God wanted me now, He set me free.

By Shannon Lee Mosely

First Sergeant John S. Lacny, Jr., United States Army

John Lacny was born in Hindsdale, Illinois on July 2, 1967 and passed away on February 17, 2011 at the age of 43, in San Angelo, Texas.

John proudly served his country in the United States Army for over twenty years. At the time of his death he was the First Sergeant for Alpha Company, 344th Military Intelligence Battalion at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas.

His long and varied army career included tours of duty in Iraq, Hawaii, Arizona, Washington, D.C. and England. He was a Russian linguist and had studied at the Defense Language Institute at Monterey, California, and at Leningrad University.

His numerous military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, multiple awards of the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.

A prayer service was held on February 27 at the Damar-Kaminski Funeral Home in Justice, Illinois for his family and friends in Illinois.

Texas services were held on March 2 at the Sheppard Funeral Home in Copperas Cove, Texas. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags at the entrance to welcome the arriving family, friends and John’s fellow soldiers.

The Riders then led the funeral procession to the Smith Cemetery at Kempner, Texas where they formed a line of American flags along the side of the burial site.

John’s flag draped casket was removed from the hearse and carried to the burial site by eight white-gloved Army soldiers. A Chaplain of the United States Army Chaplain Corps led the gathered family and friends in final prayers.

The United States Army Guard rendered full military honors. The detail of seven rifles fired three volleys of fire representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler played taps. The American flag that draped the silver casket was folded into a tight triangle by the Honor Guard. Three rifle cartridges were tucked into the fold of the flag, signifying Duty, Honor and Country. The flag was ceremoniously passed to Lt. Col. John J. Bonin, the Battalion Commander, who presented it to John’s parents on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation, as thanks for his many years of faithful service.

First Sergeant John S. Lacny, Jr. was then laid to rest next to his dearly beloved wife, Sharon, who passed away on November 26, 2008, at the age of 38. They had married On July 30, 1993 in Honolulu. Sharon was an Army veteran and was a Korean interpreter.

Left to cherish John’s memory are his parents, John and Delores Lacny, six siblings, numerous nieces and nephews and his many fellow soldiers of the United States Army.







With thanks to the Killeen Daily Herald, the Temple Daily Telegram and the Chicago Sun-Times for biographical information.

CWO3 Timothy D. Brimer, United States Army Ret.

Interment services, with full military honors, were held on March 1, 2011 at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, Killeen, Texas, for Chief Warrant Officer 3 Timothy D. Brimer. He was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars and retired from the United States Army after more than twenty years of honorable service to his country.

In attendance for the services were the Patriot Guard Riders who formed a line of American flags along the front of the committal shelter during the ceremony.

Captain Parks of the United States Army Chaplain Corps said the final prayers, recited the 23rd Psalms and concluded with:

“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 detail of five rifles fired three volleys of fire, representing Duty, Honor and Country. The Army bugler then played taps.

The Army Honor Guard folded the American flag that draped the gun metal gray casket into the traditional triangle, and passed it ceremoniously to an Army Captain. He presented the flag to Timothy’s dear wife of fifty two years, Unja, on behalf of the President of the United States, the United States Army and a grateful nation as thanks for Timothy’s many years of faithful service to his country.

CWO3 Timothy D. Brimer was then laid to rest on the gentle slope 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 and his son.

Larry Sullivan, United States Marine Corps Veteran

Larry Sullivan was born in Memphis, Tennessee on December 4, 1943 and passed away on February 23, 2011 in Pflugerville, Texas, with his family at his side.

Larry proudly served his country as a United States Marine from 1961 to 1965. He later worked for the Texas State Comptroller’s Office where he met his future wife.

He transferred to the Texas Alcohol Beverage Control office in 1972 and retired as the Chief of Enforcement in 1992. He also served as the Chief of Police for Austin Community College.

A Funeral Mass was performed on Tuesday, March 1 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Pflugerville. In attendance were the Patriot Guard Riders of the Austin Region who formed a line of American flags at the entrance of the church to welcome the arriving family and friends.

At the conclusion of the Mass, the Riders led the funeral procession to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Killeen, Texas for interment. At the cemetery were Patriot Guard Riders of the Central Texas Region and fifty American flags blowing briskly in the wind, to greet the arriving funeral procession.

Larry’s flag draped coffin was moved from the hearse into the committal shelter by six pall bearers. The Patriot Guard Riders formed a line of American flags around the shelter as final prayers were offered by Deacon Gene Morse of St. Josephs, who led the gathering in the recitation of the 23rd Psalms.

Military Honors were rendered by an Honor Guard. Taps was played by a bugler for the United States Navy. The American flag that covered the mahogany coffin was folded into a tight triangle, by two Non-Commissioned Officers of the United States Marine Corps. The flag was then presented to Larry’s dear wife of 37 years, Janet, on behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps and a grateful nation as thanks for Larry’s years of faithful service.

Larry Sullivan was then laid to rest on the upper plain of the cemetery as the American flag flew at half-staff on the hill above. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, a daughter, a son, two grandsons, two brothers, a sister, numerous other dear family and friends and his four-legged friends, Lucky, Stella and Scotty.

The family has suggested contributions in Larry’s memory to St. Vincent de Paul or the Semper Fi Fund, http://semperfifund.org/



With thanks to the Austin American-Statesman for biographical information.