Nathaniel Aguirre laid to rest

When Army Spc. Nathaniel Aguirre learned that he was going to be sent to Iraq, he knew there was a possibility that he would not come home alive.

Aguirre, 21, who had joined the Army reserves in high school and the U.S. Army after graduation, was killed on Oct. 22 by while working as a combat medic in Baghdad.

The 2003 graduate of Creekview High School in Carrollton did not know that his sacrifice for his country would be recognized by thousands who lined the streets of Carrollton and other cities as a motorcade and hearse carrying his body passed by.

The large St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church on Peters Colony Drive in Carrollton was almost filled to capacity Thursday morning as priests offered words of comfort to the family and as a relative eulogized the fallen soldier.

Outside the church, soldiers, members of the Patriot Honor Guard and Christian Motorcycle Association stood at attention on the flag-filled lawn as the flag-draped casket was brought out of the church and loaded into the waiting hearse.

With members of the Carrollton Police Department in front, the honor guard and other motorcycle riders led the hearse and motorcade past Blalack Middle School which is across the street from the church, over to Creekview High School, then back down Standridge Street to Frankford Street.

Students at Blalack, Creekview and Rainwater Elementary School had been allowed to leave their classrooms and align the streets as the motorcade and hearse passed by.

Not a word was spoken. The only sounds that were heard were those of the motorcycles and an occasional brief blast from a siren.

Students, faculty members, residents and employees of businesses along the route stood solemnly and silently as the motorcade and hearse passed by. Many standing by the streets held U.S. flags of various sizes at an angle. Many saluted and others held a hand over their heart.

A security guard for the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District commented, “This is quite a civics lesson for these students.”

Aguirre had been a Boy Scout. Scouts in uniform were seen along the route. Some were holding flags. All were saluting.

Some businesses on Frankford had lowered their huge flags outside to half staff.

Carrollton police, firefighters with fire trucks and other city employees assisted in traffic control as the motorcade and hearse headed west on Frankford and then south on I-35 toward South Texas.

The motorcade and hearse then continued its journey of almost 300 miles south on U.S. 67 and then south on U.S. 281 toward Spring Branch, just north of San Antonio. Guard changes were made in Hamilton and Burnet.

Another funeral service for Aguirre was held Friday morning at the St. Joseph Church Honey Creek in Spring Branch, near the burial site.

Aguirre is survived by his parents, Louis and Mary Aguirre, and a sister, Melissa.

Sparkman Dickey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

A member of the Aguirre family said, “The Aguirre family wishes to express their appreciation to everyone for their prayers, sympathy and support. Keep our soldiers, their families and our leaders in your prayers.”

From the Courier Gazette

Related Link:
Nathaniel A. Aguirre killed in combat