BILOXI, MS (WLOX) -
Master Sergeant Coater Debose, a Mississippi Army Reserve Soldier and
Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, was buried with full military honors
Tuesday in Biloxi. His family would describe him as a small town man
with big dreams and an even bigger heart.
"We're all suffering a
great loss because of our brother," Jesse DeBose said. "We loved our
brother. He was one that stood out tall among all of us and let us know
his military strength. How proud he was of his country, and also his
family."
The Mississippi Army Reserve Soldier died last month
during security force assistance operation. It was only his second
deployment.
While he may be gone, friends say the impression he
left on the many lives he touched throughout his 55 years on this earth
will live on.
"He is one of those soldiers where you get one in
10 like him. I know all of our soldiers are great, don't get me wrong.
But Master Sergeant Coater Debose was a cut above the rest and I will
cherish my experience with him always. I will attempt for the rest of my
life to honor him through my service," 158th Infantry Brigade
Commander, Colonel Christopher Forbes said.
"This is someone who
made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our freedom. He went beyond the
final measure to ensure that families can enjoy themselves in this
country. It is our utmost responsibility, duty and honor to give him the
honor he so richly deserves," 1st Army Division East, Public Affairs
Officer, Amanda Glenn said.
Though his family will forever mourn
this loss, they find comfort in knowing he fought a good fight and died
protecting and serving his country.
"We should all leave a legacy
like that for someone to want to follow after us. It's great to know
that we have such a person from little old Stateline Mississippi, a
place that has only two four-way stop signs," Jesse said.
There
will be a military memorial service for Master Sergeant Debose Friday
at 2 PM. That ceremony will take place at Camp Shelby's Joint Forces
Training Center.
The funeral was originally set to take place last week, but was pushed back by Hurricane Isaac.
Copyright 2012 WLOX. All rights reserved.
Master Sgt. Coater Debose, a Mississippi Army Reserve Soldier and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, died August 19th in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan.
WLBT 3 - Fox 40
