Memorial to the Brave

For He's gone to Fiddler's Green

When the song ended, the room was called to attention. The first sergeant on stage called for roll call for Headquarters and Headquarters Troop.
He yelled, "Captain Lloyd!"
A booming voice yelled back, "Here, first sergeant!"
"Major Robinson!"
"Here, first sergeant."
"Major Culver!"
There was silence.
He yelled, "Maj. Ronald Culver!"
Silence.
He yelled again, "Maj. Ronald W. Culver Jr.!"
And a voice said, "He’s not here first sergeant - for he’s gone to Fiddler’s Green."
Profound silence.
"Sergeant Major, strike Major Culver’s name from the roll."
After a few moments the soldiers walked off the stage and taps was played.
Soldiers stood and waited their turn to approach the memorial table, touch the dog tags, leave an item or say a prayer. Each performed a slow salute, turned and marched to a line of waiting comrades to express their condolences and share their grief.
Maj. Ronald “Wayne” Culver was a member of the Louisiana Army National Guard Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment of Shreveport, La. The 44 year-old officer left behind a wife and two teenage children.
From U. S. Defense Department

Services set for Major Wayne Culver

Funeral services for Wayne Culver will be held Tuesday at 9AM at the El Dorado Municipal Auditorium, 100 W 8th Street. Graveside services will be at Hillcrest in Haughton at 1:30 PM.
Visitation wil be Monday at 6PM at Young’s Funeral Home, 508 Champagnolle Rd in El Dorado.

Greater Love Hath no Man

Flags are flying at half-mast in El Dorado and Shreveport for Major Wayne Culver. I think all of our readers know that Major Culver was killed in Iraq Monday.
Funeral services are still pending, but it is expected that the services will be in El Dorado followed by a procession to Shreveport for burial.
When we get more details, we will let you know.
According to The Times, squadron Chaplain James Collins said "The Army has the seven core values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage, to me, Wayne exemplified those Army values. We learn them and we are supposed to live them. Not everyone does...but he did. He was a friend to everyone, regardless of rank. It didn't matter if they were a cook or a general, he treated everyone the same. He was a good husband, a good father and a good Soldier, but most importantly, he was a good man."
There will be a ceremony in honor of Major Wayne Culver at 11 a.m. on Memorial Day outside the Union County Courthouse in El Dorado.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Major Wayne Culver

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of Major Wayne Culver, who was killed in Numaniyah, Iraq early this week. Major Culver was the brother of Bossier City Police Sgt. Shane Culver.
He was executive officer for the 2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, based in Shreveport.
He grew up in Blanchard, was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Northwood High School.
Congressman Mike Ross of Prescott issued the following statement:
“Our state and nation lost a true patriot in the passing of Major Wayne Culver. He was a beloved son, husband, and father, a revered businessman and community leader and a proud solider. His passing comes much too soon and he will be deeply missed. All Americans owe Major Culver their eternal gratitude for his selfless sacrifice.
“There is no way we can ever thank Major Culver or his family enough for his service, but we can honor his legacy and life and pledge together to support all of our men and women in uniform who heroically serve this great country of ours.
“My deepest thoughts and prayers and those of all Arkansans and Louisianans are with his wife, Tracey, and the rest of his family during this extraordinarily difficult time.