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Young soldier had 'purpose'
Pfc. Lucas Bregg laid to rest after services Saturday
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| Bill Barrett photo -- Military personnel carry Pfc. Lucas M. Bregg's flag-draped casket after services Saturday at Baue Funeral and Memorial Center in St. Charles. | ||
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One week before her planned wedding to Army Pfc. Lucas M. Bregg, Courtney Broyles found herself in a more somber ceremony, saying goodbye to her fiancee in a funeral home chapel.
"In both our eyes, we were already married. We will forever be together," she said, standing in front of Bregg's flag-draped casket.
More than 75 people - civilians and uniformed military personnel - sat in the pews Saturday at Baue Funeral and Memorial Center in St. Charles. One of Bregg's favorite songs, "Letters from Home," played while mourners hugged each other and wiped tears.
A squad of Patriot Guard Riders waited outside with their motorcycles to lead the procession to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in south St. Louis County.
Bregg, 19, of Wright City, died July 8 while serving in Baghdad, Iraq. As of Journal deadline Monday, the U.S. Department of Defense had not released a cause of death, reporting only that Bregg suffered injuries from a "non-combat related incident."
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Bregg was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, stationed out of Fort Hood, Texas. He had been serving in Iraq for five months.
Broyles on Saturday said Bregg saw himself as "a man's man, a protector, a leader."
"He wanted his family to be proud of him, and he wanted to be a role model to his brothers and sister," she said.
Broyles said that when she met Bregg, "It was love at first sight, with no doubt. He had the most beautiful blue eyes I'd ever seen. They went straight to my heard and captured me."
Bregg would call from Iraq and excitedly check on the wedding plans, she said.
"He couldn't wait to spend the rest of his life with me," Broyles said.
Bregg's father, Michael Bregg, read his son's letters from basic training. Lucas Bregg wrote about how the experience was teaching him discipline. Michael Bregg said the Army changed his son.
"I watched him grow from a couch potato to a man in about a year and a half," Michael Bregg said. "A young man with focus, vision and a definite purpose in life. I'm very proud of him."
Lucas Bregg had a tattoo on his back that read, "All gave some. Some gave all." A large banner bearing that slogan hung from a vehicle outside the funeral home.
Bregg's body arrived at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport on Thursday, then was taken to Wright City for a public procession before doubling back to Baue in St. Charles.
Despite barely a day's notice before the procession, a crowd gathered along the route. People saluted and covered their hearts as police cars, fire trucks and Patriot Guard Riders passed, followed by a trike motorcycle pulling a black, Harley hearse containing Bregg's flag-draped casket.
John Ellyson and his daughter sat on a blanket near Diekroeger Park to watch the procession.
"We've got to show respect for our fallen brothers," Ellyson said. "He died for our freedom."
John White, a scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 835 in Wright City, brought several Scouts.
"It's what these boys need to learn about," said White, who has a son in the Air Force and lost a cousin in Iraq in 2006.
Ken Brauch brought his 7-year-old son, Zach. "My dad just passed away and he was a Vietnam vet," Brauch said. "He used to come to all these processions. It's what he would have done."
Gov. Jay Nixon ordered U.S. and Missouri flags on all state buildings in Warren County to be flown at half-staff through July 24.
Bregg attended Francis Howell North High School in St. Peters for 2½ years before moving in with his father in Foristell and transferring to Wright City High School, where he graduated in 2008.
Bregg volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. He liked country music, roofing, autobody work and wanted a career in collision repair.
Bregg is survived by his parents, Michael Bregg and Tracie Green; his fiancee, Courtney Broyles; two brothers, Zachary and Colton Bregg; one sister, Taylor Bregg; and grandparents Joseph and Kathleen Green and Alice Bregg.
Bregg entered the Army on July 16, 2008. His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Weapons Qualification Badge (Expert) and Overseas Service Bar. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and Army Good Conduct Medal posthumously.
Journal staff writer Joe Scott contributed information for this story.
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