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Topic: Crazyhorse’s Funeral | |
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Hagar
*O.B.C*Team Member Joined: June 04 2004 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 1622 |
Topic: Crazyhorse’s Funeral Posted: October 08 2007 at 4:21am |
SSgt. Kevin Ray Brown, USA, a.k.a. *O.B.C* Crazyhorse, was laid to rest on October 3rd, 2007 at the New Salem Baptist Church near Vine Grove, Kentucky, overlooking the beautiful rolling hills of farmland. I arrived at the Funeral Home at 10:30 a.m., and his widow, Lena, immediately came over to me and gave me I hug. I quietly offered condolences from all of OBC and she smiled, as she knew all about the game and OBC. “That game! ” She also apparently knew me perhaps from Kevin since we had shared so many emails. She introduced me to her children, Charlene and Maria, as well as Kevin’s stepchildren, father, and mother. She then led me into the room where Kevin’s flag draped casket was resting, with 2 photos of Kevin. One photo had Kevin in dress blues as a young soldier, about 21 years old according to Lena, and the other in his battle dress uniform in Iraq. I rested my hand on the casket for a few minutes, then had to excuse myself. The flag was placed so that the union blue is over the left shoulder of his remains. Shortly after, 6 soldiers, all fellow Staff Sergeants, walked into the room smartly and carried Kevin outside to the hearse. I noted that they must have done this many times, as there cadence was absolutely perfect. I joined the funeral procession as it made its way to the church, about 5 miles away through several rural roads. I was struck at the number of citizens who came out of their homes and stood quietly with their hands over their hearts. Even though Kevin did not live there, the community clearly knew that an American soldier was coming home to rest. On arrival at the beautiful old brick New Salem Baptist Church, I immediately noted a color guard of about 16 US flags, held by fellow veterans, mostly from Vietnam. It struck me as a perfect tribute and it is something I will volunteer to do when I retire and join a veteran’s service organization. The pallbearers marched up to the rear of the hearse and gently lifted out Kevin, each sidestepping in perfect unison as they took the weight of the casket and gently carried into the church. As they marched past the color guard the flags were briefly lowered.
In the church, the service started with what were apparently some favorite spiritual songs of Kevin’s. The thought crossed my mind that Kevin might have left some instructions to his wife as to his wishes if he did not return from Iraq. The pastor then read from some letters from fellow soldiers in Kevin’s unit in Iraq, from private up to Captain. Most of them talked about how Kevin knew a passage from the Bible that he could recite or find to help his fellow soldier through the crisis he was struggling with at the time. I never realized how much of a part of Kevin’s life was his faith in God. Some of the letters reflected on how Kevin was a sharp leader and soldier, and how they felt that Kevin helped them through some challenging combat situations. Next, a Brigadier General from Fort Know just minutes away presented to Lena the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Iraq Expeditionary Medal, and the Global War on Terror (GWOT) ribbon. The medals and ribbon were presented to Lena by Sergeant First Class James Smirl, who was a very good friend of Kevin’s. He is the soldier in the photos in full dress blue uniform. The General gave a brief talk about what it means about Duty, Honor, and Country to a soldier. He never mentioned Iraq, which was appropriate. Kevin was proud to serve, as we all know. I looked around and noticed about 12 uniformed soldiers amongst the 50 or 60 mourners. The pallbearers then marched in and lifted Kevin and carried him outside back into the hearse. The hearse then drove about 125 yards to the burial site. The pallbearers marched quietly behind the hearse. Graveside, they picked Kevin up one last time, sidestepping in perfect unison, and carried him over and placed him over the grave in the cradle. I discreetly placed myself off to the right side. In front of me, about 40 yards away, was a single soldier holding a M-16 in the present arms position, with the squad leader to his right. In front were 6 more M-16’s, stacked neatly.
Lena, the children, and Kevin’s parents took their places under the canopy.
An Army chaplain, a Major, then said a few final words. She is on the left above. While she was speaking, the 6 pallbearers marched down and took up their M-16s and took up positions in a firing line. When the Chaplain finished, the squad leader barked “Ready!”, “Aim!”, “Pull” and seven shots rang out Everyone, even me and I was anticipating it, jumped. The commands went out 2 more times, for a total of 21 shots. The seven soldiers then went to Present Arms. When the shots died down, a lone bugler, a First Lieutenant, sounded Taps. He was off on a slight hill to my left and out of site behind the canopy. At that point everyone was crying.
When the last note died down, the 6 pallbearers quietly stacked their M-16s and marched back alongside the casket. This next shot is of the pallbearers returning graveside. Sergeant First Class Smirl is off to the right.
They then gently lifted the flag off the casket and smartly folded it.
The last soldier to take it of the six held the flag to his chest and slowly flattened it and tucked in the last corner. He then turned to his right, rotated the flag so the long edge was forward and presented it to the First Lieutenant. The Lieutenant saluted the flag, and took it. The last pallbearer then saluted the flag. The First Lieutenant than pivoted toward Kevin’s friend, SFC Smirl, the soldier in the full dress blue uniform who in turn saluted the flag and then took it. The First Lieutenant then saluted the flag. SFC Smirl then rotated the flag so the long edge was forward then marched to Lena and got down on one knee.
I could not hear the words, but they were “This flag is presented on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service”. The Brigadier General then paid the same tribute to Kevin’s mother. Again everyone was crying. At this point the funeral director then asked all the observers to return to their cars to allow the family a last minute of privacy. I did and watched from a distance as Lena and the children approached the casket and laid a flower on it. I then discreetly left. It was a beautiful ceremony. The Army is very good at burying their soldiers. They have lots of practice. SFC Smirl, if you ever read this, thank you for your service to the United States and for your friendship to Kevin and his family.
I would like to share a few things written by Kevin:
I received this PM after Memorial Day:
Here is the last PM I received. Sometimes Kevin would communicate through teamobc.com, but usually though email. I think it depended on his connection speed.
It turned out not to be the case. In a brief email dated June 6th, he told me he was not going to make it home but he seemed at peace. When all communications from Kevin stopped after July 29th, I knew he was in trouble. He was doing his duty. Duty, Honor, Country. Rest in Peace, Kevin. You are in Heaven because you have already been to Hell. OBC - I created a duplicate of this thread in the team section for our thoughts and comments. Edited by Hagar - October 29 2007 at 2:21am |
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Morocco Mole
*O.B.C*Team Member Team Sommelier Joined: July 18 2004 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 873 |
Posted: October 08 2007 at 5:30am |
Excellent report Cliff. Very poingnant. |
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We're not Brazil....We're Northern Ireland |
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Sith
*O.B.C*Team Member Joined: July 31 2004 Location: Ireland Online Status: Offline Posts: 4002 |
Posted: October 08 2007 at 7:30am |
I'm glad you were there to represent us, I hope it gives his family comfort to know how well thought of Kevin is. Thanks Cliff. |
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Only Now, At The End Do You Understand. |
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Phoenix
*O.B.C*Team Member Joined: January 09 2006 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 1131 |
Posted: October 08 2007 at 9:20am |
Thank you Cliff
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R.I.P. Crazyhorse & Fubar You will Never be forgotten and forever in all our hearts |
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Merc
*O.B.C*Team Member Joined: June 02 2005 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 151 |
Posted: October 08 2007 at 11:38am |
Beautifully done Cliff!! Thank you
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The mercenary cybernetic soldier with a case of CyberPsychosis!!! "DEATH TO THE FLESHYS" |
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steal
*O.B.C*Team Member Joined: September 07 2004 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 1310 |
Posted: October 08 2007 at 12:04pm |
Thankyou very much. I havent shed so many tears since I buried my mother on 11/21/03.
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“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.”—Malcolm S. Forbes.
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*~* Shorty *~*
*O.B.C*Team Member Joined: March 22 2005 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 583 |
Posted: October 08 2007 at 12:07pm |
Very well written Hagar!
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Dantheman5187
*O.B.C*Team Member Married to my best friend. Joined: June 05 2004 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 1699 |
Posted: October 08 2007 at 4:12pm |
I'm with Steal. I cried pretty hard.
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*O.B.C.j*Dan_the_Man
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Conan
*O.B.C* Team Member Joined: June 04 2004 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 3228 |
Posted: October 08 2007 at 10:48pm |
Rest In Peace... My Friend.
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"The leftists cannot think for themselves...they have already given into the spirit of collectivism"
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OverKill
Noob* Joined: January 08 2006 Location: Colombia Online Status: Offline Posts: 13 |
Posted: October 09 2007 at 10:34pm |
Thank you for sharing it with all of us.
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HitMa
*Forum Stalker* Joined: March 03 2005 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 662 |
Posted: October 11 2007 at 9:25am |
Nicely done Cliff
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RIP Kevin Brown 25 SEP 07
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Drag_0n
Groupie* Joined: April 08 2005 Online Status: Offline Posts: 78 |
Posted: October 16 2007 at 4:05am |
Rest In Peace Kevin May god be with you |
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