Fallen soldier's song sounds prophetic at emotional funeral
(Published Monday, May 7, 2007 10:52:50 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
Associated Press
SHIOCTON, Wis. - Months before Army Pfc. Nicholas E. Riehl died in Iraq, he wrote and recorded a song called, "Standing at the Black Gate."
At his funeral Saturday, more than 900 mourners heard his voice one more time as he sang, "They stole my life now. I've lost what's real."
The prophetic song seemed to tell the story of his death, said his brother, Evan Riehl.
"I figured the people would want to hear Nic's words," he said.
With Nic Riehl's flag-draped coffin directly under a green-trimmed basketball hoop where he led Shiocton High School to the 2004 Central Wisconsin Conference championship, family members offered tear-filled tributes to the fallen soldier.
His sister Roselynn Riehl said she'll miss Nic's playful punches to her arm and his lifelong support and guidance.
Riehl, 21, and two other soldiers were killed April 27 in Fallujah, Iraq when a roadside bomb exploded near them.
Riehl, a scout with the 3rd Infantry Division, had successfully defused seven other bombs before being killed by an eighth, according to Rev. Michael Isbill, who presided over the funeral.
An estimated 2,000 people welcomed Riehl home on Thursday when a procession carrying his body passed through his home town. That large turnout didn't surprise John Carpenter, commander of Shiocton American Legion Post 512.
"My family and Nic's family have lived in Shiocton for generations and generations. It's a very tight community," Carpenter said. "We're here to honor our hometown hero that chose to honor his country by fighting on foreign soil to help others."
Riehl was buried with full military honors in a cemetery not far from this community of 959, about 20 miles northwest of Appleton.
Carl Abendroth of Greenville was one of more than 75 military veterans to attend the funeral. He returned in 2006 from a yearlong tour of duty in Iraq with the Wisconsin Army National Guard and said he came to the funeral "to honor another veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country."
"He patrolled the streets of Fallujah hoping to create some peace and order in the town, so they could eventually know the freedoms that our veterans before have provided for us," Abendroth said.
Riehl was assigned to the 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, out of Fort Stewart, Ga.
