Kingston Soldier Goodbye

More than 300 people gathered Tuesday to remember the military Kingston, considerable courage was matched only by his brilliant sense of humor.

Family and friends honored PFC. Cordo Douglas at a ceremony at the Old Dutch Church in Kingston. Dozens of people were also lining the streets and saw the body Cordo was delivered to his final resting place in the cemetery of Saint-Remy.

Many viewers do not know Cordo, but remained with respect to sidewalks and waved American flags in honor of their fallen neighbor.

The 20-year-old was killed August 19 when an improvised explosive device destroyed his vehicle transport in Afghanistan. He had fought there with a battalion of U.S. Army Infantry since April.

Cordo was buried Tuesday with full military honors. An army general gave him a neatly folded flag to her mother, and guns fired 21 times to greet the young soldier.

Friends say Cordo, a famous prankster, would have preferred a less formal farewell. He once told his best friends he wanted a funeral in a bar with lots of pretty girls.

It 'been a "Dougie Fresh", as many friends called him. It 'was loose and fun and always ready to make people smile, they said. His friends came back for Tuesday to share their favorite stories Gordo and filling the church with a laugh.

Some remembered the time he accidentally put his mother's porch on fire. Others liked the tattoo on his arm that made fun of "Thug Life". It's called "Doug's life."

Who would not be forced to laugh Cordo for Shamrock Run in Kingston last year? He jogged on Broadway in a pair of underwear and a green cape.

His friend Dave Sember story began the way many of Gordo's stories began.

"Dude, check this out ..."

Semb was dating a girl in high school who started flirting with Cordo. It offered a free haircut Cordo and pizza. Cordo Semb asked permission and then agreed to visit the young woman in her home.

The haircut was fine, but when the pizza and the girl went to wash in the bathroom, Cordo fled with food and took the house Semberas. No girl would come between best friends.

"It was just a stupid kid always had a smile on their faces," said Sember.

Dozens of people could have used a touch of humor Cordo Tuesday. Many wept and wrapped their arms around each other as a military chaplain made a last prayer.

Gordo's mother, Tracy Karson, atop a red roses on his coffin and gently kissed the wood. Dog Tags child waved her neck clanged together, and near his heart.