Travis Krege laid to rest

Pfc. Travis C. Krege was born two months early and died much too soon.

Just 24, the Cheektowaga native was killed 10 days ago with four other members of his Army unit by a roadside bomb while on patrol in Iraq.

On Saturday, Krege was honored at a deeply moving funeral service as a soldier dedicated to his country, his comrades in arms and his family.

"Travis did his duty in Iraq, and it cost him his life. But he did his duty," the Rev. Ivan Crossno, pastor of Cheektowaga Baptist Church, said during the service in the Amigone Funeral Home in Depew.

As scores of family members, friends and fellow soldiers grieved, speakers remembered Krege's bright smile and an outer toughness that masked his underlying kindheartedness.

"He was truly our hero before he became an American hero," said Mark Vogel, a longtime friend of Krege's.

Krege is the 26th soldier known to have roots in this area to die in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan since 2002.

Krege and four other soldiers were killed Dec. 6 when an improvised explosive device destroyed their military vehicle in Hawijah, near the Iraqi city of Kirkuk, the Defense Department confirmed last week.

His unit was part of the 25th Infantry Division, headquartered in Hawaii, which is responsible for training Iraqi troops.

More than one speaker referred to Krege simply as "an American soldier" who was proud to volunteer for service in the Army and to serve in war in Iraq.

Crossno said he had watched Krege grow up.

"A little undersized, great smile, glasses, and not at all afraid of a fight with someone bigger than he was," Crossno said.

Vogel said Krege, who was born two months prematurely, was devoted to his mother, Sandra; his father, Michael; and his younger sister, Shauna.

He never failed to give a hug and kiss when saying hello or goodbye to loved ones.

And Krege truly enjoyed eating chicken wings, reading history books and playing basketball.

A 2000 graduate of Maryvale High School, Krege's easygoing spirit sometimes got him into modest trouble, Vogel said, and he joined the Army to try to smooth off his rough edges.

"We'll remember him as a carefree, loving jokester," Vogel said.

As Krege served with distinction overseas, his family supported him as best they could.

His father, who was a medic in Vietnam, knew better than most what his son and his fellow soldiers were enduring, Crossno said. And his mother woke up at 4 a.m. each day - at a time when it was afternoon in Iraq - so she could communicate online with her son.

On Saturday, representatives from the Army thanked the Krege family for their son's service.

As his flag-draped coffin sat at the head of the room, Army Brig. General Jesse R. Cross said Krege had been awarded a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and other military decorations.

"His lasting gift to us is our freedom, and we honor him by always remembering that sacrifice," Cross said.

Cross then handed Krege's mother, sister and father each a set of his Army dog tags.

At the family's request, the service included a touching recording of "Amazing Grace" and a moving rendition of the song "Lord, Protect My Child."

Crossno picked up the theme of sacrifice when he said he struggles with the unfairness of a war that asks so much from so few, like Krege, while so many aren't asked to give up anything.

"While most of us are worried about [holiday] presents, these men have to worry about staying alive," Crossno said. But he said Krege and his fellow soldiers never complained about the burden they bear.

Following the service, soldiers in dress blues carried the casket to a waiting hearse as an honor guard watched at attention under bright blue skies.

Krege was buried in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cheektowaga, with military honors.

From the Buffalo News

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