Nathan Given laid to rest

Mourners with American flags lined several blocks and overpasses along the Gulf Freeway Saturday afternoon, as friends and family laid to rest Army Pfc. Nathaniel Allen Given of Dickinson.

Given, a 21-year-old lifelong resident of Dickinson, was killed Dec. 27 in a rural area near Baghdad, just two hours after he spoke to his parents on a satellite phone.

Given was killed by gunfire and an improvised explosive device while on routine patrol.

Given asked his parents to send candy "so that he could give it to the Iraqi children," said the Rev. Keith Broyles, in a eulogy at the soldier's funeral.

Broyles described Given as a Christian who loved his family, his parents, his girlfriend, "his car, his motorcycle and going fishing."

"He was a young man searching for his niche in life. That is why he went into the Army," Broyles said. "Nathan had honor and he had integrity. He was a man who wanted to make a difference in the world around him."

Given had considered reenlisting but also thought about becoming a police officer.

Given's flag-draped casket was surrounded by a military honor guard and dozens of bouquets of flowers, under a banner that showed his Army portrait and a photograph of him in full combat gear in Iraq. The banner included the Bible verse from John 15:13: "Greater love has no one but this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Given was a member of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division, based in Fort Drum, N.Y.

The celebration of Given's life, as Broyles described the funeral, included a video presentation about Given: a series of still photographs that started with the tow-headed "baby" of the family being cuddled by his older brother and sister; a studio portrait of a freckle-faced Given dressed as a cowboy, his high school football portrait, photographs of Given at a car show, joining his father at a Shriner's event for children, a mature young man happily hugging his girlfriend, and the military photographs.

The small chapel at Carnes Funeral Home in Texas City was filled with music that Given enjoyed, including the song I Miss You by Incubus.

The lyrics of that song include the chorus: "You know that I love you, I loved you all along. I missed you from far, far away."

During the funeral, military officers presented Given's family with a Bronze Star awarded posthumously by President Bush on Dec. 28, the Purple Heart awarded by the Army, and a Gold Star banner from the Blue Star Military Mothers.

Given was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

He is survived by his parents, Floyd and Donna Given of Dickinson; his brother, Emery Given of Dickinson; his sister, Amanda Given of San Leon; grandmothers Cathryn Rose Given of Hitchcock and Mary Laymance of Bacliff; grandfather Glynn Laymance of Texas City; and his girlfriend, Jessica Gallowayof Dickinson.

From the Houston Chronicle

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