Hundreds Gather For Lansing-Area Soldier's Funeral
Army Ranger Spc. Bradley Rappuhn was selfless and "lived his life for others,'' his commander told about 500 people gathered Thursday to mourn the Michigan soldier who was killed in Afghanistan.
Many soldiers spoke of Rappuhn's integrity during a funeral at Grand Ledge High School, from which he graduated in 2004. The 24-year-old Army Ranger and another member of his unit died Aug. 8 after insurgents attacked them with an improvised explosive in Zhari Kandahar, according to the military.
"Bradley's service and life embodied the Ranger creed, 'Never shall I fail my comrades,''' said Lt. Col. Mark O'Donnell, Rappuhn's battalion commander. "Army Ranger Spc. Bradley David Rappuhn lived his life for others.''
Veterans filed onto the stage of the school's auditorium and saluted his flag-draped casket before the morning service, the Lansing State Journal reported. Afterward, a motorcade of about 200 vehicles escorted Rappuhn's casket to Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta for burial.
Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm also ordered U.S. flags statewide lowered in Rappuhn's honor Thursday.
Rappuhn enlisted in January 2009, and served as an anti-armor specialist. He was part of the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, based at Fort Benning, Ga.
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Information from: Lansing State Journal, http://www.lansingstatejournal.com
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
