At Michael Lehmiller's funeral, his father tells of his son's "love for life at 1,000 mph."
By KEVIN GRAHAM
Published September 1, 2005
TAMPA - Michael Lehmiller's funeral instructions captured a bit of his sense of humor, tinged with the grim bravado that comes with life in a combat zone. They'd laughed about it, his father said, this joking last request that if he died they should bury him with a bottle of Crown Royal whiskey. More than one person showed up at the 23-year-old Army sergeant's funeral Wednesday morning, prepared to honor his wish.
Lehmiller was among four soldiers killed while on patrol in Afghanistan when a bomb exploded under a wooden bridge Aug. 21 as a convoy of armored Humvees crossed.
"Michael died the way he lived: full speed ahead," his father, Robert Lehmiller, said during a 30-minute funeral service. "He did not want to die. But if dying was what it took to achieve his mission, he would gladly do it."
Michael Lehmiller served near Baylough, Afghanistan, with the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, which is based in Vicenza, Italy. Since his fellow troops could not attend the service, Lehmiller's Army commander sent a letter to be read that expressed their grief.
At Gonzalez Funeral Home on N Dale Mabry Highway, where a proclamation signed by Mayor Pam Iorio was read, the American flag outside hung at half-staff. Moments before the service began, an Army officer walked up to the open casket and placed a beret on Lehmiller's head. He lay in the coffin, dressed in full military uniform. A black and gold rosary wrapped its way around Lehmiller's folded hands.
Inside the coffin, a seal of the U.S. Army. Behind the coffin, an arch of red and white carnations and blue ribbon with a banner that read, "Airborne Forever."
"Few times in our lives do we get the privilege of meeting extraordinary people," the senior Lehmiller said, fighting back tears. "Michael was one of them."
He recalled the time his son was 10, learning to snow ski in Utah. After an hour's lesson, the elder Lehmiller said he stumbled down the mountain. Not his son.
"He was speeding down," he said.
"Michael saw and did some wonderful things, sometimes I wondered if he'd get bored by the time he was 30."
A few places Michael Lehmiller had visited during his short life included Mount Hood, Mount Saint Helen's, Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans, France, Italy, Spain and Germany.
"His love for life at 1,000 mph showed in every aspect of his life," Robert Lehmiller said.
After the benediction, the more than 150 people attending stood to repeat Psalm 23 together.
Then one by one, they formed a line to Michael Lehmiller's coffin. One by one, they said goodbye.
After the service, the funeral procession went to Dade City, where Lehmiller was to be buried in Floral Memorial Garden.
