LEBANON, PA, US
U.S. Army
SGT, 131ST TRANSPORTATION CO, 728TH CSS BN, 213TH AREA SUPPORT GROUP, WILLIAMSTOWN, PA
07/18/2011, HIGHWAY 1, AFGHANISTAN
Sergeant Edward William Koehler had served in the Marine Corps from 1982-88 and joined the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1997. SGT. Koehler was a bugler during his time in the Marine Corps and took enormous pride in honoring fallen service members by playing Taps at their funerals.
Sergeant Koehler went home to Georgia and was honored at his funeral surrounded by family, friends, local community members, the Patriot Guard Riders and Rolling Thunder riders. Sergeant Koehler’s Pastor Randy Harden from the Cowboy Church of LaFayette in Rock Spring, officiated at the ceremony.
One of the ministries of the church is to place a “field manual” (New Testament) in the hands of every soldier serving in the military. Pastor Harden explained that Sergeant Koehler referred to his field manual as his “cowboy Bible” and kept it with him at all times, using it frequently for guidance when making decisions. He even had it on him when he was killed.
“Ed made a lot of decisions,” said Pastor Harden. “Who he would marry. What branch of the military he went into. But, thank God, the best choice he ever made was what was in his field manual, where he’ll spend eternity.”
Warrant Officer Danielle Klinger, who served with Sergeant Koehler, shared his highly deserved list of military awards and offered some humorous stories of times in the unit with “Ed,” including her favorite memory of his familiar “bobbing, strolling walk.”
Sergeant Koehler’s family thanked well-wishers for their support. “Continue to pray for all of our troops and their safety,” the statement said. “Their daily sacrifices must not go unnoticed.”