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PGR: In Memory of SFC Kenneth Pugh

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

SSgt. Kenneth I. Pugh, 39, of Houston Texas, died on July 17 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained when his M1A2 Abrams tank encountered enemy forces small arms fire. Pugh was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

On Friday, I rode with 67 Patriot Guard Riders to the funeral services of SSG Kenneth Pugh (39) of Houston, Tx.

According to his family, the military was his life:

He wore his uniform everywhere — even out to dinner while home for visits.

The ride from the Church to the cemetery required us to take Loop 610 from Southeast Houston for about 15 miles, up HWY 59 through Downtown. For those of you that know Houston, you know how congested and busy these roads are.

It was amazing to watch as an escort of Houston’s finest motorcycle cops, working together with PGR road guards were able to completely shut down every lane of traffic (5 lanes wide) and all on-ramps — the entire freeway was empty except for the long line of bikes, flags, and cars in the procession to the funeral.

For me personally, this funeral was especially important as it was the first time that my brother, a Sergeant First Class (SFC) in the US Army, was able to attend a Patriot Guard Riders mission with me. He and one of his other Soldiers, SSG Heinreich, showed up in full uniform. Afterwards, my brother went on-and-on about how impressed he was with the PGR and their outpouring of patriotism.

During the burial service, SSgt Pugh was promoted to SFC by General Ruthenstein.

More pictures from the services for SFC Pugh:

[mygal=sfc_pugh]

Posted by Robbie Cooper on Monday, July 31st, 2006 | Trackback |

13 Responses to “PGR: In Memory of SFC Kenneth Pugh”

It was an honor to ride in this Mission.

Left by Dwayne "Fenchie" Broussard on July 31st, 2006 at 9:31 am

That is truly awesome. Thanks for sharing this.

Left by kw on July 31st, 2006 at 11:19 am

hooah

Left by Jim Howard on July 31st, 2006 at 4:35 pm

It was great to ride for this Soldier, to stand in silent respect for him and his family. I have to say also that meeting your brother and his fellow Soldiers was a real honor. I wish them the best, to stay safe and to be able to die as old men surrounded by the families that love them. Until we ride together again, keep it safe.
Dan Creswell
Aransas Pass Texas

Left by Diverdan on July 31st, 2006 at 8:23 pm

Thank you for the post and for your service brother. I’m a PGR member on the other side of the country (Virginia) and have done missions in North Carolina and Virginia including one that ended up in Arlington National Cemetary (that one was a moving experience).

Last weekend I was privileged to honor Master Chief Carl Brashear (the subject of the movie “Men of Honor”) at his funeral. It was especially meaningful to me as a retired Navy Chief myself.

Keep up the good work and thanks to you and all of your compatriots for your service.

Left by Sailorcurt on July 31st, 2006 at 10:30 pm

I finally got to experience my first Patriot Guard Riders event in Fort Worth on July 29th for SSgt Eric Caban. You had mentioned that it is truly a moving scene and that was not an understatement.

I work as a freelance photographer in Fort Worth and was actually going to shoot another event there on the TCU campus. I decided to go to that late. I made a wise decision.

I shot a ton of photos that showed some of the Riders in action. When they brought out the flag-draped coffin, tears started flowing. As the son of a World War II and Korean War vet, I am always in awe of the military, but I really was not expecting to react the way I did.

If you get a chance, check out the photos and my account of the event. My blog is at http://www.uzzman.com

Thanks and keep up the great work!

Left by Uzz on August 3rd, 2006 at 12:59 am

He is a True Hero Soldier. My memories from the first rotation to Iraq were Good, and I always remember him Smiling and Happy, No matter what. He’s Siitng next to The Lord.

Left by Eduardo Salehroa on September 2nd, 2006 at 11:39 pm

[...] SC — I know you’ve closed comments on the previous post, but as a member of the PGR, I just wanted to say thanks for taking time to attend that fallen Marine’s funeral.I’ve attended 12 such funerals this year alone, and despite the ache of losing another brother or sister, my heart is swelled by the patriotism displayed by the members of the PGR.Don’t feel bashful about letting other’s know that you are active duty — unless you are uncomfortable with having heartfelt thanks and genuine handshakes bestowed upon you by complete strangers.My little brother (formely a Station Commander, but who just completed the Guidance Counsler course in South Carolina, and now has his V7 designator for his 79R, and is now works at the Batallion level) went on a PGR mission with me in Houston a few months back…he wore his uniform to the funeral, and was graciously welcomed into the folds of the PGR.There’s a few pics of my brother and I at the funeral in the above link.Anyway…just wanted to let you know that I understand your sentiments on the PGR piece. Thanks again. [...]

Left by Blogger: Post a Comment on November 9th, 2006 at 3:04 pm

[...] SC — I know you’ve closed comments on the previous post, but as a member of the PGR, I just wanted to say thanks for taking time to attend that fallen Marine’s funeral.I’ve attended 12 such funerals this year alone, and despite the ache of losing another brother or sister, my heart is swelled by the patriotism displayed by the members of the PGR.Don’t feel bashful about letting other’s know that you are active duty — unless you are uncomfortable with having heartfelt thanks and genuine handshakes bestowed upon you by complete strangers.My little brother (formely a Station Commander, but who just completed the Guidance Counsler course in South Carolina, and now has his V7 designator for his 79R, and is now works at the Batallion level) went on a PGR mission with me in Houston a few months back…he wore his uniform to the funeral, and was graciously welcomed into the folds of the PGR.There’s a few pics of my brother and I at the funeral in the above link.Anyway…just wanted to let you know that I understand your sentiments on the PGR piece. Thanks again. [...]

Left by Recruiting Tirade: Who Are You? on November 9th, 2006 at 7:11 pm

ssgt pugh was the best sgt you could ever have that was the hardest day for me in the 4 years i served in the army he will never be forgotten remember he payed the price so we can be free he was a dad to everyone in the unit thanks alot to the pg riders that means alot to everyone in the unit and tankers lead the way

Left by spc day on March 9th, 2007 at 10:15 pm

If anyone has pictures from this PGR mission, could you please e-mail them to me at haileyjett@gmail.com. I know this has been a while ago now, but would really appreciate pictures if anyone has them.

[Editor --- I didn't take many on this mission, but you are welcome to the ones I did take. You can find them here.]

Left by Hailey Jett on March 18th, 2008 at 12:21 pm

Thanks Fellas,

I appreceiate what you do us in honoring our fallen heros. My eyes are a little more than moist, if you know what I mean. Kenneth was my loader when I was a mere buck Sergeant, he was the best (for real). He was the only reason we achieved a perfect score of 1000 points on Tank Table VIII in front of TCETT and everyone. That is a perfect Tank Crew Qualification score, graded by the toughest dudes in the land (the 7th ATC Tank Crew Evauation and Training Team). If anyone claims they scored a 1000 points on Tank Table VIII… ask’em where! If you did not shoot it on Range 117 in Grafenwhoer Germany under the watchfull eye of the 7th ATC TCETT Team, well… then you simply have never shot a grand!

Left by CSM Richard Capps on May 16th, 2008 at 10:30 pm

I served with SFC Pugh at Ft. Lewis, WA back in the ‘94-’97 timeframe. At that time, he was SGT Pugh and I was PFC Strother. I was saddened to hear of his passing. I remember the soldier that he was back then, but even more so, I remember the man behind the uniform. He not only helped me learn how to be a better tanker, he set the standard on how to be a great leader. His sense of humor was uplifting during many tough times. It didn’t matter what was going on, he always managed to have a smile on his face, and in turn, put a smile on everyone else’s face. I applied much of what I learned from observing him to how I conducted my own self. It was men like SFC Pugh and CSM Capps that set the example for me and guided me down my own path of becoming an NCO. I have since separated from the Army and have begun a career in the Department of Transportation, but I will always remember the men like SFC Pugh (along with CSM Capps and SPC Day, also from Ft. Lewis), who I feel privileged to have served with… and honored to have known.

Left by SGT Mark Strother on August 31st, 2008 at 1:28 am

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