San Antonio Express News:
This is partial story in the newspaper about Lt. Col. Rivas
Retired Army Reserve Lt. Col. Raymond Rivas 53,
of New Braunfels was buried six days after his
death outside of the Brook Army Medical Center's
Emergency Room and nearly three years after a mortar
blast in Iraq.
Rivas had trouble with speech, balance, and memory
after a mortar exploded about 25 feet from him on
October 12, 2006. The injury was a profound blow to an
Engineer and Veteran Soldier who had served in Bosnia, Kosovo, Africa, Afghanistan and Iraq. It forced his retirement.
But he was a fighter. A 2007 San Antonio
Express-News story profiling the battle Rivas and
others were making to recover from traumatic brain
injury noted that his wife Colleen, thought
someone else would call if he was badly injured.
Rivas himself did that despite stuttering, repeating himself and complaining of headaches. He later endured intensive therapy and was known at Brooks Army Medical Center as a good patient.
Lt. Col. Raymond Trejo Rivas (USAR Ret.)
He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
Passed away unexpectedly on July 15, 2009.
Lt. Col. Rivas was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico
on April 17, 1956.
Following graduation from Las Cruces High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. following which he received a Bachelor of Science Degree and Masters of Science Degree in Engineering Technology from the University of Houston.
Ray lived a full life and did more than most people ever dreamed of doing.
Military operations in which he participated
included Africa, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and
Iraq. He attended Army Special Operations School,
Army Command, General Staff College and Army Advanced Engineering School. He was the Lead Engineer for
Army North.
Lt. Col. Rivas received numerous military awards
including the Legion of Merit and the Purple Heart.
The latter for injuries received in combat at
DaRaWoo, Afghanistan. After recovery Ray deployed
to Iraq where he sustained several serious
injuries during an attack while attached to the
Army Special Operations Command. These injuries
resulted in treatment at Brooks Army Medical
Center at San Antonio, Texas for almost two
years, and forced his retirement from the
calling which he loved second only to his wife and family.
Ray is survived by his devoted wife of 23 years:
Colleen O'Brien Rivas
Son: Brian Michael Rivas & wife Rocio
Daughters:
Blaire Anne and Erin Renee
Grandson: Donovan
Parents:
Daniel Trejo and Emilie Schmelzer Rivas
four brothers and one sister
Ray's love of life and God exemplified all that is good in people. He enjoyed being with groups of people and will be missed by everyone from his extended family to all others on a daily routines he encountered between deployments.
Visitation will be held Monday July 20, 2009 from 4:00pm-8:00pm with the family present to greet guests from 5:00pm-8:00pm at Doeppenschimidt Funeral Home in New Braunfels, Tx.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church on Tuesday July 21, 2009 at 9:15am with burial to follow at Ft. Sam Houston.
Although flowers are appreciated, memorials may be sent to:
The Warrior and Family Support Center
2010 Stanley Road
Suite 95
Ft. Sam Houston, Texas 78234
FOOTNOTE- Lt. Col. Rivas many friends were there for him on this warm sunny day. A line of soldiers, including Sgt. Maj. Dan Thompson of the Army Special Operations Command, stood next to the shelter as a horse-drawn caisson rolled toward them, led by a bagpiper playing a mournful tune.
The pallbearers, all soldiers in Army dress uniforms, placed Rivas' Flag-draped casket on a bier in front of his family. An Honor Guard of Comal County Deputies that had stood at attention in the sun then fired three volleys as two of the soldiers, wearing white gloves, held the Flag over the casket. The bagpiper sounded taps.
A soldier folded the Flag, carefully working to ensure it was tightly creased, as the other GI's stood still. The Flag's red and white stripes slowly disappeared into a field of blue and white stars. The NCO in charge of the detail inserted three shell casings into the American Flag.
"Duty" a soldier said.
"Honor," "Country"
This is partial story in the newspaper about Lt. Col. Rivas
Retired Army Reserve Lt. Col. Raymond Rivas 53,
of New Braunfels was buried six days after his
death outside of the Brook Army Medical Center's
Emergency Room and nearly three years after a mortar
blast in Iraq.
Rivas had trouble with speech, balance, and memory
after a mortar exploded about 25 feet from him on
October 12, 2006. The injury was a profound blow to an
Engineer and Veteran Soldier who had served in Bosnia, Kosovo, Africa, Afghanistan and Iraq. It forced his retirement.
But he was a fighter. A 2007 San Antonio
Express-News story profiling the battle Rivas and
others were making to recover from traumatic brain
injury noted that his wife Colleen, thought
someone else would call if he was badly injured.
Rivas himself did that despite stuttering, repeating himself and complaining of headaches. He later endured intensive therapy and was known at Brooks Army Medical Center as a good patient.
Lt. Col. Raymond Trejo Rivas (USAR Ret.)
He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
Passed away unexpectedly on July 15, 2009.
Lt. Col. Rivas was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico
on April 17, 1956.
Following graduation from Las Cruces High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. following which he received a Bachelor of Science Degree and Masters of Science Degree in Engineering Technology from the University of Houston.
Ray lived a full life and did more than most people ever dreamed of doing.
Military operations in which he participated
included Africa, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and
Iraq. He attended Army Special Operations School,
Army Command, General Staff College and Army Advanced Engineering School. He was the Lead Engineer for
Army North.
Lt. Col. Rivas received numerous military awards
including the Legion of Merit and the Purple Heart.
The latter for injuries received in combat at
DaRaWoo, Afghanistan. After recovery Ray deployed
to Iraq where he sustained several serious
injuries during an attack while attached to the
Army Special Operations Command. These injuries
resulted in treatment at Brooks Army Medical
Center at San Antonio, Texas for almost two
years, and forced his retirement from the
calling which he loved second only to his wife and family.
Ray is survived by his devoted wife of 23 years:
Colleen O'Brien Rivas
Son: Brian Michael Rivas & wife Rocio
Daughters:
Blaire Anne and Erin Renee
Grandson: Donovan
Parents:
Daniel Trejo and Emilie Schmelzer Rivas
four brothers and one sister
Ray's love of life and God exemplified all that is good in people. He enjoyed being with groups of people and will be missed by everyone from his extended family to all others on a daily routines he encountered between deployments.
Visitation will be held Monday July 20, 2009 from 4:00pm-8:00pm with the family present to greet guests from 5:00pm-8:00pm at Doeppenschimidt Funeral Home in New Braunfels, Tx.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church on Tuesday July 21, 2009 at 9:15am with burial to follow at Ft. Sam Houston.
Although flowers are appreciated, memorials may be sent to:
The Warrior and Family Support Center
2010 Stanley Road
Suite 95
Ft. Sam Houston, Texas 78234
FOOTNOTE- Lt. Col. Rivas many friends were there for him on this warm sunny day. A line of soldiers, including Sgt. Maj. Dan Thompson of the Army Special Operations Command, stood next to the shelter as a horse-drawn caisson rolled toward them, led by a bagpiper playing a mournful tune.
The pallbearers, all soldiers in Army dress uniforms, placed Rivas' Flag-draped casket on a bier in front of his family. An Honor Guard of Comal County Deputies that had stood at attention in the sun then fired three volleys as two of the soldiers, wearing white gloves, held the Flag over the casket. The bagpiper sounded taps.
A soldier folded the Flag, carefully working to ensure it was tightly creased, as the other GI's stood still. The Flag's red and white stripes slowly disappeared into a field of blue and white stars. The NCO in charge of the detail inserted three shell casings into the American Flag.
"Duty" a soldier said.
"Honor," "Country"
San Antonio Express News:
This is partial story in the newspaper about Lt. Col. Rivas
Retired Army Reserve Lt. Col. Raymond Rivas 53,
of New Braunfels was buried six days after his
death outside of the Brook Army Medical Center's
Emergency Room and nearly three years after a mortar
blast in Iraq.
Rivas had trouble with speech, balance, and memory
after a mortar exploded about 25 feet from him on
October 12, 2006. The injury was a profound blow to an
Engineer and Veteran Soldier who had served in Bosnia, Kosovo, Africa, Afghanistan and Iraq. It forced his retirement.
But he was a fighter. A 2007 San Antonio
Express-News story profiling the battle Rivas and
others were making to recover from traumatic brain
injury noted that his wife Colleen, thought
someone else would call if he was badly injured.
Rivas himself did that despite stuttering, repeating himself and complaining of headaches. He later endured intensive therapy and was known at Brooks Army Medical Center as a good patient.
Lt. Col. Raymond Trejo Rivas (USAR Ret.)
He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
Passed away unexpectedly on July 15, 2009.
Lt. Col. Rivas was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico
on April 17, 1956.
Following graduation from Las Cruces High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. following which he received a Bachelor of Science Degree and Masters of Science Degree in Engineering Technology from the University of Houston.
Ray lived a full life and did more than most people ever dreamed of doing.
Military operations in which he participated
included Africa, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and
Iraq. He attended Army Special Operations School,
Army Command, General Staff College and Army Advanced Engineering School. He was the Lead Engineer for
Army North.
Lt. Col. Rivas received numerous military awards
including the Legion of Merit and the Purple Heart.
The latter for injuries received in combat at
DaRaWoo, Afghanistan. After recovery Ray deployed
to Iraq where he sustained several serious
injuries during an attack while attached to the
Army Special Operations Command. These injuries
resulted in treatment at Brooks Army Medical
Center at San Antonio, Texas for almost two
years, and forced his retirement from the
calling which he loved second only to his wife and family.
Ray is survived by his devoted wife of 23 years:
Colleen O'Brien Rivas
Son: Brian Michael Rivas & wife Rocio
Daughters:
Blaire Anne and Erin Renee
Grandson: Donovan
Parents:
Daniel Trejo and Emilie Schmelzer Rivas
four brothers and one sister
Ray's love of life and God exemplified all that is good in people. He enjoyed being with groups of people and will be missed by everyone from his extended family to all others on a daily routines he encountered between deployments.
Visitation will be held Monday July 20, 2009 from 4:00pm-8:00pm with the family present to greet guests from 5:00pm-8:00pm at Doeppenschimidt Funeral Home in New Braunfels, Tx.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church on Tuesday July 21, 2009 at 9:15am with burial to follow at Ft. Sam Houston.
Although flowers are appreciated, memorials may be sent to:
The Warrior and Family Support Center
2010 Stanley Road
Suite 95
Ft. Sam Houston, Texas 78234
FOOTNOTE- Lt. Col. Rivas many friends were there for him on this warm sunny day. A line of soldiers, including Sgt. Maj. Dan Thompson of the Army Special Operations Command, stood next to the shelter as a horse-drawn caisson rolled toward them, led by a bagpiper playing a mournful tune.
The pallbearers, all soldiers in Army dress uniforms, placed Rivas' Flag-draped casket on a bier in front of his family. An Honor Guard of Comal County Deputies that had stood at attention in the sun then fired three volleys as two of the soldiers, wearing white gloves, held the Flag over the casket. The bagpiper sounded taps.
A soldier folded the Flag, carefully working to ensure it was tightly creased, as the other GI's stood still. The Flag's red and white stripes slowly disappeared into a field of blue and white stars. The NCO in charge of the detail inserted three shell casings into the American Flag.
"Duty" a soldier said.
"Honor," "Country"
This is partial story in the newspaper about Lt. Col. Rivas
Retired Army Reserve Lt. Col. Raymond Rivas 53,
of New Braunfels was buried six days after his
death outside of the Brook Army Medical Center's
Emergency Room and nearly three years after a mortar
blast in Iraq.
Rivas had trouble with speech, balance, and memory
after a mortar exploded about 25 feet from him on
October 12, 2006. The injury was a profound blow to an
Engineer and Veteran Soldier who had served in Bosnia, Kosovo, Africa, Afghanistan and Iraq. It forced his retirement.
But he was a fighter. A 2007 San Antonio
Express-News story profiling the battle Rivas and
others were making to recover from traumatic brain
injury noted that his wife Colleen, thought
someone else would call if he was badly injured.
Rivas himself did that despite stuttering, repeating himself and complaining of headaches. He later endured intensive therapy and was known at Brooks Army Medical Center as a good patient.
Lt. Col. Raymond Trejo Rivas (USAR Ret.)
He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
Passed away unexpectedly on July 15, 2009.
Lt. Col. Rivas was born in Las Cruces, New Mexico
on April 17, 1956.
Following graduation from Las Cruces High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. following which he received a Bachelor of Science Degree and Masters of Science Degree in Engineering Technology from the University of Houston.
Ray lived a full life and did more than most people ever dreamed of doing.
Military operations in which he participated
included Africa, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and
Iraq. He attended Army Special Operations School,
Army Command, General Staff College and Army Advanced Engineering School. He was the Lead Engineer for
Army North.
Lt. Col. Rivas received numerous military awards
including the Legion of Merit and the Purple Heart.
The latter for injuries received in combat at
DaRaWoo, Afghanistan. After recovery Ray deployed
to Iraq where he sustained several serious
injuries during an attack while attached to the
Army Special Operations Command. These injuries
resulted in treatment at Brooks Army Medical
Center at San Antonio, Texas for almost two
years, and forced his retirement from the
calling which he loved second only to his wife and family.
Ray is survived by his devoted wife of 23 years:
Colleen O'Brien Rivas
Son: Brian Michael Rivas & wife Rocio
Daughters:
Blaire Anne and Erin Renee
Grandson: Donovan
Parents:
Daniel Trejo and Emilie Schmelzer Rivas
four brothers and one sister
Ray's love of life and God exemplified all that is good in people. He enjoyed being with groups of people and will be missed by everyone from his extended family to all others on a daily routines he encountered between deployments.
Visitation will be held Monday July 20, 2009 from 4:00pm-8:00pm with the family present to greet guests from 5:00pm-8:00pm at Doeppenschimidt Funeral Home in New Braunfels, Tx.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church on Tuesday July 21, 2009 at 9:15am with burial to follow at Ft. Sam Houston.
Although flowers are appreciated, memorials may be sent to:
The Warrior and Family Support Center
2010 Stanley Road
Suite 95
Ft. Sam Houston, Texas 78234
FOOTNOTE- Lt. Col. Rivas many friends were there for him on this warm sunny day. A line of soldiers, including Sgt. Maj. Dan Thompson of the Army Special Operations Command, stood next to the shelter as a horse-drawn caisson rolled toward them, led by a bagpiper playing a mournful tune.
The pallbearers, all soldiers in Army dress uniforms, placed Rivas' Flag-draped casket on a bier in front of his family. An Honor Guard of Comal County Deputies that had stood at attention in the sun then fired three volleys as two of the soldiers, wearing white gloves, held the Flag over the casket. The bagpiper sounded taps.
A soldier folded the Flag, carefully working to ensure it was tightly creased, as the other GI's stood still. The Flag's red and white stripes slowly disappeared into a field of blue and white stars. The NCO in charge of the detail inserted three shell casings into the American Flag.
"Duty" a soldier said.
"Honor," "Country"
Gravesite Details
LT COL US Army, Afghanistan, Iraq
