A hero’s goodbye: Soldier killed in Fort Hood massacre is laid to rest

MOUNTAIN CITY, Tenn. – Spc. Fred Greene received a hero’s goodbye Wednesday, nearly two weeks after a gunman killed the U.S. Army soldier and 12 others at Fort Hood, Texas.
“What really made Fred special were the unique traits that rounded out his character,” said Capt. James Pence, who was Greene’s company commander at Fort Hood.
“He was compassionate, humble, loyal, merciful, selfless, optimistic and sincere,” Pence said while delivering Greene’s eulogy. “The Army did not build these traits; Fred’s values can be attributed to his upbringing from his loving family.”
More than 100 people, including National Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, attended the graveside service on a hillside in the cemetery beside Bakers Gap Baptist Church, where Greene once sang in the choir.
Gates sat behind Greene’s wife, Cristie, their two daughters, Haley and Allison, and Greene’s parents during the service.
Army chaplain Maj. David Oberdieck led the prayers at the service.
“We now commit the body of our brother Fred to the ground,” Oberdieck said. “Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.”
Greene, 29, enlisted in the Army in May 2008. He was a combat engineer. According to his family, when he was a young boy, his dream was to join the military. Before his death, the Army awarded Greene the national defense, global war on terrorism, and Army service medals.
“His passion for his family drove him to be the best he could be at anything and everything,” Pence said Wednesday. “He was a soldier you could rely on when difficult tasks were at hand.”
As part of Greene’s burial, the soldier received full military honors. A bagpiper played “Amazing Grace,” a lone bugler played taps, and soldiers from Fort Campbell, Ky.’s, 101st Airborne Division fired their guns in salute.
Before leaving the cemetery, Greene’s fellow soldiers folded the American flag that was draped over his casket and gave it to Greene’s wife. They then gave four additional flags to Greene’s mom, dad, and two daughters.
“Fred, thank you for touching our lives,” Pence said. “We will never forget you.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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