Satieon Greenlee laid to rest

Pfc. Satieon Greenlee, 24, died Oct. 2 in Iraq from small-arms fire. This afternoon he was laid to rest as thousands of mourners remembered him.

At least 2,000 people attended a service on Thursday at the Civic Center of Anderson for the Pendleton husband and father of two. The casket was draped with a flag and surrounded with red, white and blue floral arrangements. Carolina Panthers colors designated another arrangement, complete with a football.

Attendees watched a slide show before the funeral, remembering the young soldier’s life through photos of him with his family and other soldiers. One of those on hand was U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, R-Westminster. Gov. Mark Sanford sent a telegram of sympathy.

The Rev. Thomas Davis of Piney Grove Baptist Church gave the eulogy; his sermon was titled, "Satieon Greenlee: a soldier on a mission." The pastor challenged the audience to use their lives as missions to do good, bless others and glorify God.

Brig. Gen. James H. Schwitters, commander of the Fort Jackson U.S. Army training center, presented Pfc. Greenlee’s immediate family with gold lapel pins.

"Through their wearing of the pins we as a nation will know of their loss and our debt of gratitude for that loss," he said.

Also on hand was a veterans motorcycle group of more than 60 riders from several states. The group is called the Patriot Guard Riders. Members said they were there not only to honor Mr. Greenlee, but also to keep potential war protestors away from the family.

"If somebody not respectful of the sacrifice (Pfc.) Greenlee made shows up, we will make sure they do not disrespect the family," said Randy Stevens, the state captain of the guard. "Our primary purpose, though, is to honor a fallen soldier."

The war protestors did not attend.

Pfc. Greenlee was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, out of Fort Drum, N.Y., according to the Department of Defense.

His older sister, Toya Bowman,cq of Anderson said he had arrived in Iraq only about three weeks prior to his death. She said her brother joined the U.S. Army about 15 months agocq because he wanted to be able to provide for his wife, Natasha Brown Greenlee, and his two young boys, Quintieon, 2, and Kwamaine, 7 months.cq

From the Independent Mail

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