I'M FREE
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God has chosen for me.
I took His hand when I heard him call;
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I've now found peace at the end of day.
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joys.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;
Oh yes, these things, I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
Look for the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much;
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.
Perhaps my time seems all too brief;
Don't lengthen your pain with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and peace to thee,
God wanted me now-He set me free.
Eulalio “Ely” Arzaga, Sr. passed away on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 surrounded by his loving family. Eulalio was born on January 10, 1917 in San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, Philippines.
Eulalio was raised in Ilocos Norte and educated at the Ilocos Norte Trade School. While living in Manila, he attended the Philippine School of Arts and Trade, earning an Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
After graduating College, Eulalio joined the Philippine Scouts of the US Army and was assigned to HQ and Service Troop, 26 CAV Regiment, Ft. Stotsenburg, Pampanga, PI. During his Military career, Arzaga served in both WW II – surviving the Bataan Death March - and the Korean War. After WW II, he was assigned to the 1st AD, the 4th AD, the 2nd AD and ASCOM Depot, Supply HQs in Taegu, Korea.
CPT (Ret.) Eulalio Arzaga’s Military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Services Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award), the Good Conduct Medal w/5 Silver Clasps, the President Unit Emblem, the American Defense Service Medal , the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the National Defense Medal, the WW II Medal, the WW II Occupation Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal, the Philippines Defense Medal, the Philippines Liberation Medal, the Philippine Independence Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, and the United Nations Service Medal.
He was a founding member of the EX-POW Centex Chapter #1 and of the Fil-American Association of Central Texas. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus #1532 and #4724, DAV #147, VFW #3892, American Legion Post #223, American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, Philippine Heritage Society, The Bob Gilmore Center, American Red Cross, Assn. of United States Army, EX-POW National HQ-Arlington and EX-POW State of Texas.
He was a faithful, life-time member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. He served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years.
He is preceded in death by his parents Lorenzo Arzaga and Severa Cabel Arzaga, 3 brothers, 2 sisters, his son USAF Cpt. Eulalio Arzaga Jr., his daughter Evelyn Sergent and his first wife of 58 years, Constancia Leonardo Arzaga.
Eulalio is survived by his wife of 12 years, Anna Valdez Arzaga of Killeen TX, six daughters ; Tessie Crosby of Corpus Christi TX, Victoria Chapman of Rancho Cucamonga CA, Dorothy Saccullo of Port Charlotte FL, Constance Lilly Kittredge of Killeen TX, Shirley Riddle of Killeen TX and Carol Milloy of Sierra Vista AZ, and by 20 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. He will also be missed by 5 Step-children, 8 Step-grandchildren and 1 Step-great-grandson.
The Arzaga family will receive guests for a time of visitation on Monday, December 17, 2012 from 6 -8 PM in the chapel of Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home of Killeen with a Rosary being recited at 7:00 PM. Mass of a Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 beginning at 12:00 PM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Fr. Vincent Romuald, SRC as celebrant. Burial with full military honors and the K of C Assembly #1532 as honor guard will follow the Mass in Killeen Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service at the Temple Veterans Administration or to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordbowersfuneralhome.com
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