Family, friends say goodbye to soldier killed in Iraq
Hundreds of mourners filled Forest Hill Cemetery on Thursday morning in honor of Spc. David J. Lane, 20, who was killed by a roadside penetrator bomb Sept. 4 outside Camp Rustamiyah in eastern Baghdad, Iraq. Lane was patrolling in a Humvee with two other soldiers when it was struck by the bomb. All three died in the blast.
The service was protected by approximately 300 Patriot Guard riders, some of whom gathered outside Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home before the graveside ceremony; other Guard members rode directly to the cemetery about five miles east of Emporia to wait for the funeral procession to arrive at 10:30 a.m.
Riders made a procession of their own before their 8:30 a.m. arrival at the funeral home; another, larger contingent rode through town on Sixth Avenue about 15 minutes later, en route to the cemetery. Other vehicles pulled to the side to allow the Patriot Guard motorcyclists to pass, two by two, in what seemed to be an unending river of American flags waving from the backs of the cycles.
Guard members carrying flags stood at attention along the sidewalks and curbs in front of the funeral home and lining both sides of the 600 block of State Street.
Inside Roberts-Blue-Barnett, a military ceremony was underway for family members and close friends of David Lane. Gen. Robert Durbin, commanding general of the First Infantry Division at Fort Riley, presented Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Good Conduct medals to Lane’s parents, Maria and David Lane. The soldier also was posthumously promoted from private to specialist.
The procession moved to the cemetery for the graveside service, where about 200 people waited. Vehicles parked in a field near the cemetery and along the roadway to the west for almost a half-mile.
Soldiers from Fort Riley conducted military graveside honors and a three-gun salute, and Emporian Kenton Thomas played taps. Major Noel Cisneros, chaplain, officiated at the service.
Two members of the honor guard lifted the American flag draped over Lane’s wooden casket, before others joined them to fold the flag into a traditional triangle that was presented by Durbin to Maria Lane. Durbin spoke quietly with the parents and siblings for several minutes.
Casketbearers were David M. Lane, Michael Watson, Thomas Horn, David Horn, Travis Brummett and Darren Biggs, who also read a poem in memory of David J. Lane.
Patriot Guard members, most of whom carried 3’x5’ flags, formed a ring around the mourners throughout the service.
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Posted by hottopics (anonymous) on September 14, 2007 at 4:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Absolutely a moving moment and a wonderful yet sad memory. I am PROUD to be a American and shed a tear each time I read about these events. The Patriots that come in such a huge presence to ensure only the best for the families gives a overwhelming power of PRIDE in my country.
THANK YOU SO MUCH DAVID.
And I am further VERY APPRECIATIVE that NO MENTION in the paper or on TV of the unworthy individuals that tried but FAILED to make a mockery of our fallen heros we call the United States Military.
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