A homeless Vietnam veteran is remembered for what he did for his country.
66-year old CW2 Stephen Doughy died at a local hospital on August 12.
He didn't have family in the area, but Tuesday The Patriot Guard was his family, as they paid tribute to him at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.
"Our brother is home. Our brother is not alone, because he has us," said Ralph Jensen with the Patriot Guard as he officiated the funeral.
Stephen may not have had a place to call home, but the Patriot Guard made certain that today he had someone to call brother.
"Even though he was homeless here, he is not homeless, he's going to have a house in heaven," said Jensen.
Those who called Stephen friend find comfort their support.
"I'm a veteran of WWII and Korea myself, and it hurts," Frankie Barao said through tears.
Frankie and Stephen were friends for 30 years.
He was one of only a few at the funeral who had known him, so Patriot Guard Ride Captain David Dunn received a flag on behalf of the family.
"I'm sorry that there's no family here to receive it for him, but then again, I'm honored to do it in their place," said David.
It's all to make sure this hero gets every respect he deserves, and veterans like Barry Richard were determined to show it.
Barry said, "The service members who give their time and sometimes their lives for this country deserve that."
As the flag at the cemetery flies at half staff for his dear friend, Frankie hopes one day, it will fly for him also.
"Because I've got a lot of friends here, and hopefully someday maybe I'll be here myself and everybody comes to see me," said Frankie.
Stephen Received several medals during his career.
They include the Army Air Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.
Reporter: Sophia Stamas sstamas@kcentv.com
Photographer: Chris Buford cbuford@kcentv.com
