Mitchel Mutz laid to rest

FALLS CITY - As the final few notes of taps wafted through Holy Trinity Cemetery, the wind picked up. The 100 U.S. flags surrounding the final resting place of Sgt. Mitchel Mutz flapped loudly in the breeze in a final salute to Falls City's fallen soldier.

Mutz, 23, was killed in Iraq on Nov. 15.

On Saturday, Holy Trinity Church in Falls City overflowed with those who came to pay their final respects to Mutz. Many in the town of 591 filled the pews, many more stood outside listening to the service on loudspeakers. Dozens of law enforcement officers - from state, local and neighboring county and city agencies - were also out in force to honor Mutz, the son of former Karnes County Sheriff Bobby Mutz. Also in attendance and bearing 100 flags lining the entrance to the church, and later the entrance to the cemetery, were motorcyclists of the Patriot Guard Riders.

Inside the church and during a memorial on Friday, Mutz was remembered for being an avid fan of country music and the Texas A&M Aggies.

High school classmate Shannon Dubic said Mutz was "always really happy, and wanted to make you smile. He never had an enemy, that's for sure."

During Saturday's service the Rev. Kasmir Oleksy tried to console Mutz's family and friends.

"Whenever someone we love dies, we, too, die a little. We can never be exactly the same. The sound of his voice, his footsteps, and shared memories have suddenly disappeared, replaced with silence and they cannot be recreated," Oleksy said. "It is hurtful. The one we loved and still love has a place in our hearts and we can no longer find a place in his heart, a place where we loved to rest. Mixed with sadness there may be anger, the balance of lives have been so roughly upset. Our tears are right, proper and necessary. We pray for everyone who has been saddened by his death.

"Pay last respects to Mitchel Mutz, young brave soldier, son, brother, friend. He played a part in our lives and helped make some of us what we now are. Our love for him and his love for us has changed us. Mitchel was a gift to us in so many ways. We have been lifted by his enthusiasm, cheered by his smile, warmed by his friendship," added Oleksy.

Later, during a burial with military honors at Holy Trinity Cemetery, a blanket of layered clouds protected mourners from the mid-day sun.

Mutz was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Good Conduct Medal. Brig. Gen. P.K. Keen, commander, U.S. Army South, presented Mutz's parents, Bobby and Dixie, and brother Nathan, with American flags. A ceremonial honorary rifle volley was also fired. Mutz was buried near two other classmates who also died young, Kevin James Pollok and Jeffrey Swierc.

Robin Jurgajtis sat with her family on the tailgate of their pickup along the route from church to cemetery. Mutz was a grade above one of her daughters, and Jurgajtis remembers him as "a great guy" who "showed a lot of courage going back to Iraq."

Jurgajtis also said that on Friday evening the road from Floresville, where Vinyard Funeral home is located, to Falls City was lined with people holding up signs and waving flags in Mutz's honor as he was being transported home.

"I was told that they went by his house first because his dad wanted him to come home one more time," said Jurgajtis.

From the Victoria Advocate

Related Link:
Mitchel T. Mutz killed by I.E.D.