Hometown Soldier Laid To Rest With Full Military Honors

Military personnel, family and friends laid to rest today a brother in arms, a son, a husband, a father.

Under partly cloudy skies and a warm afternoon breeze, was interred at Riverside National Cemetery with full military honors. More than 100 people turned out to pay their respects.

As is tradition, the service was officiated by a military chaplain, and representatives of each service branch were on hand. Guards of honor saluted, bagpipes played, and volley shots were fired. An American flag was ceremoniously folded and presented to the sergeant’s widow, Kristi, and Taps wafted peacefully across the perfectly manicured national cemetery.

Sgt. Korte was He was assigned to the 720th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade out of Fort Hood, according to a Department of Defense statement.

The formal cemetery was preceded by a public service at East Hills Community Church in Riverside that lasted approximately one hour and was officiated by Pastors Dean Murphy and Fred Rodriguez. Looking out from church windows, one could see Riverside National Cemetery in the distance.

As the stoic church service began, photos of Sgt. Korte with his young sons, his wife, his family, slowly rolled across two large overhead screens. The images depicted a handsome soldier with short-cropped dark blonde hair smiling with his youthful wife and babies. In some, soldier and child lay slumbering together.

U.S. Army Gen. McQueen addressed the church audience of nearly 200 on behalf of the Army Chief of Staff. He thanked Sgt. Korte’s family for their sacrifice, and noted the soldier’s eight years and seven months of military service. Sgt. Korte was on his fourth tour of duty in the Middle East, the general said. He had been deployed three times to Iraq before his final tour in Afghanistan in November, the general said.

“We are here to honor a true hero,” the general said, explaining that Sgt. Korte was on protection service detail as a team leader when he was killed.

Service members were on hand at the church to witness Gen. McQueen honor the sergeant posthumously with a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and a NATO medal. Military staff also recalled more than a dozen medals and honors bestowed upon Sgt. Korte during his military career.

Born May 10, 1982, Sgt. Korte was a local. He attended Cal Lutheran High School in Wildomar and called Lake Elsinore home.

Pastor Fred told the audience, “In defense of our lives, he gave his own. Brother Noah has finished his task.”

The attendees applauded when Pastor Dean thanked the military for their service, and he asked the audience to remember the two other servicemen killed during the attack on Sgt. Korte’s vehicle. At the church three candles burned, one each for Sgt. Korte, Spc. Kurt W. Kern, 24, of McAllen, Texas, and Pfc. Justin M. Whitmire, 20, of Easley, S.C.

“Our hearts go out to those families,” Pastor Dean said.

Reading excerpts from Sgt. Korte’s diary with permission from his parents, Pastor Dean brought forth images of a devoted soldier who understood what it meant to wear a uniform.

“When I put it on, I was so proud,” Sgt. Korte wrote in 2003. “This is the path I have chosen. I will mend and defend.”

In another 2003 excerpt, the young soldier wrote, “I did this for my country,” adding that, for his family, “I would do anything.”

NOTE: Speaking through officials at the service, the family of Sgt. Korte wished to thank all who have reached out to them during this time. They said the community has been very supportive, sending flowers, cards and well wishes.