Yorktown soldier makes final trip home
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Sevices for Sgt. Anthony "Gabe" Green
Where: St. Paul Lutheran Church, 343 East 5th St., Yorktown
Visitation: Noon - 9 p.m, Friday
Funeral: 3 p.m., Saturday
Burial: Will immediately follow at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery. ...
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Sevices for Sgt. Anthony "Gabe" Green
Where: St. Paul Lutheran Church, 343 East 5th St., Yorktown
Visitation: Noon - 9 p.m, Friday
Funeral: 3 p.m., Saturday
Burial: Will immediately follow at St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.
Friday night halftime salute
The Yorktown Veterans of Foreign War Post 8136 and the Vietnam Veterans of America have organized a special ceremony to honor Sgt. Green and his family at Yorktown High School Friday.
Military families and veterans will release hundreds of balloons from the football field during halftime.
The game starts at 7:30 p.m. against Runge.
Saturday flag procession
More than 800 flags have been donated for the flag procession following Sgt. Anthony "Gabe" Green's funeral.
People who hope to receive a flag should arrive at 3:30 p.m. on Main Street.
The procession is scheduled to move west on 5th Street to state Highway 119, then east on Main to St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery.
The reverent silence at the Victoria Regional Airport runway was broken only by the sound of American flags slapping in the wind. Men removed their hats as veterans and families lined the pathway of Sgt. Anthony "Gabe" Green on his final journey home.
"All these troops are my heroes," said Charles Elliott, a Vietnam-era veteran holding an American flag. He'd travelled from Edna to watch the procession. "They risk their lives everyday for us and some of them die for us," he said, his voice breaking.
Green's body arrived about 1 p.m. at the airport, escorted by an Army Honor Guard from Fort San Houston. A private ceremony for the family followed in the airport hangar.
The gray hearse carrying Green's body pulled from the runway to greet a solemn crowd. It rolled past rows of American flags and grave faces. Members of the Victoria Veterans Council came to a sharp salute as the family and body passed.
A black stretch Hummer and Ford Explorer with American flags followed closely behind.
Onlookers placed their right hands over their hearts.
The flashing lights of the Victoria Police Department vehicles brought up the rear.
"It hurts," said Billy Hardaway, a Vietnam veteran with the Disabled American Veterans. His face was sorrowful.
"He gave up everything to serve God and country," said the uniformed veteran. "God bless him and God bless his family."
Children from Faith Academy clasping little American flags lined the sidewalk near Foster Field Drive as the motorcade made its way by.
The procession ended in tears for Peggy Oliver who knew Green. His story hits close to home; her son, also a Texas Army National Guard soldier from Yorktown, is in training to deploy overseas.
"They're doing this so that we can have the freedom that we have," she said wearing a National Guard polo. She wiped away tears.
In Green's hometown, Heather Junkermeier, 29, fought back tears as she stood along the curb waiting for the procession.
"He was a good guy, friends with everyone," said Junkermeier, who was a senior at Yorktown High School when Green was a sophomore. "He always talked about going into the service, about serving his country."
Amy Alvarez, 26, and a friend both had their daughters in tow.
"This is our way of honoring him," she said. "He served our country and fought for us."
Comments
"Hero to Heaven"
As the Angels line up all over Heaven's floor. Raising there hands to Solute Sgt. Gabe Green as he walks through the door.
There harps playing on strings made of this soldiers own brave heart pure and true. While in amazing grace he recieves his wings of Red White and Blue.
Thank you my child God says in his heavenly voice. For protecting my children with your unselfish choice.
Please don't worry about those you left behind filled with sadness and much sorrow. For I will be their to comfort them through every new tomorrow.
Your life was given for so many others you allowed them to remain safe & harm free. You will never be forgotten because not only did you die protecting your country you died protecting me.
Welcome Home My Child & Thank You for Your Sacrifice........
You Blessed God & Your Country
With Much Gratitude to Sgt. Gabe and his family and friends. Thanks to your loved one we are able to love ours. Never ever will we forget!
October 24, 2009 at 8:17 a.m.Its really nice to see that people really care about those who sacrificed.. I too was out there in Iraq and reading this just reminds me of how lucky I am to have made it back. My prayers go out to the family..
October 23, 2009 at 3:46 p.m.Sgt. Green, I solute you, you’re an American HERO! God bless your family. Thanks..
October 23, 2009 at 3:42 p.m.Thank you Sgt. Green for protecting my family and friends, and giving this country the freedom. To the Family of Mr. Green may you find peace in knowing that he will be never forgetten. I thank him from the bottom pf my heart for keeping my family safe
October 23, 2009 at 2:30 p.m.Thank you soldier for doing the job.
Thank you Green's for raising a caring, patriotic son.
Let us remember it is time to do ours.
October 23, 2009 at 2:03 p.m.We were at the runway, it was a sad time. Our prayers go out to the family. And a thank you for protecting our freedoms.
October 23, 2009 at 10:42 a.m.Thank you Sgt. Green for your courage. Prayers go out to his family and friends, may you find peace.
October 23, 2009 at 10:37 a.m.May the Lord bless the Green family. Sgt Green is a true hero. I know because my grandson was also a true hero. This December four years ago he was killed in Iraq. They sacrificed and earned the freedoms that we have. Thank you Gabe and Robby.
October 23, 2009 at 10:10 a.m.Thank you Sgt Green.
October 23, 2009 at 9:48 a.m.Just beautiful. What a respectful way to honor him. My family and I are so grateful to have had such a courageous man fight for our freedoms. God Bless all that still are and God Bless America.
October 23, 2009 at 8:42 a.m.My heart is in pain for the family of Sgt. Green. He gave his life for all our freedom and it is so painful to watch how Sgt. Green fought for our country while we have a president who cannot decide whether to honor those in Afghanistan by sending in relief. This bothers me tremendously as our men/women should be his first priority even though this incident may have happened anyway. As an outsider and a former neighbor from Yorktown area this has really been painful....and I can only imagine how much more painful it must be for the family and friends. May GOD BLESS you all. Thank you Sgt. Green for defending us.
October 23, 2009 at 1:23 a.m.May God Bless this young man's family...all give some but some gave all...those are the true heroes...Thank you Sgt Green for defending my rights and freedoms...and all of the other men and women who unselfishly lay their life on the line for me and my family!
October 22, 2009 at 11:18 p.m.Heartfelt prayers to the Green family. God rest his soul. God bless his soul.
October 22, 2009 at 10:19 p.m.If you didnt see it, it was a awesome sight! True respect by all involved.
October 22, 2009 at 9:20 p.m.Incredible showing of respect and dignity. Thanks to all the public officials for providing us all a reminder of the sacrifice of this young man.
October 22, 2009 at 9:17 p.m.May God Bless the Green family. Sgt. Gabe Green is a true hero.
October 22, 2009 at 8:59 p.m.