Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 5, 1991 TAG: 9103050461
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Gregory, 21, died last week after stepping on an Iraqi land mine in Kuwait.
A picture of Gregory in his Marine dress uniform was perched in front of the flag-draped coffin during the service at Moore Street Baptist Church. His mother, Peggy Green, and grandmother, Grace Moore, collapsed into sobs upon entering the church. A few Marines dabbed at their eyes.
One by one, the military men marched passed the coffin, offering a sharp salute.
"It's hard when you bury one of your own," said Marine Sgt. Claude C. Crane, one of Gregory's friends and a member of the Marine honor guard. "He was a good Marine."
A cadre of cadets from Fork Union Military Academy, where Gregory spent a year before attending Virginia Union University, sat silently throughout the 30-minute service. Many of them embraced when it ended.
"Remember the words of the Revelator," the Rev. G.G. Campbell told mourners. In heaven, "there shall be no more tears, no more sorrow, no more death."
"Yes, Troy's life was short, but it is the quality of life that counts, not the quantity," the church pastor said. "Troy made the supreme sacrifice for his country. We all owe him a debt of gratitude."
As the Marines lined up to carry Gregory's casket from the church, the choir sang the "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
A military honor guard gave a final salute when the casket was carried down the steps of the church to a waiting hearse.
Gregory was buried Monday afternoon with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington.
by CNB