A candle lights a photo near the coffin of Army Staff Sgt. George Edward Buggs. The Barnwell, S.C., resident, who was killed by Iraqi troops, was buried Saturday in Barnwell. LOU KRASKY/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Soldier who died in Iraq given praise at funeral

BARNWELL, S.C. - Guy Quentin Buggs was given two American flags Saturday - one from atop his father's casket and another from Gov. Mark Sanford expressing thanks from the people of South Carolina.

It was the latter flag that Guy, 12, placed between his knee and his elbow. He leaned on it for support throughout an afternoon memorial service for his father, Staff Sgt. George Edward Buggs, 31, the first South Carolinian killed in the war with Iraq.

Hundreds of people packed the gymnasium at Guinyard-Butler Middle School, where Guy attends and where his father went decades before him. Friends, relatives and people who never knew the noncommissioned officer - promoted to staff sergeant posthumously - thanked the fallen soldier during a two-hour ceremony tinged with patriotism.

Sgt. Buggs' body was found April 5 after he was reported missing near Nasiriyah, Iraq. His convoy, part of the 3rd Forward Support Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division based at Fort Stewart, Ga., was ambushed. Also in his convoy was Pfc. Jessica Lynch, who was rescued during the mission in which Sgt. Buggs' body was discovered.

Sgt. Buggs, who was described as a quiet family man, was proud to defend America and the values it stands for, friends and relatives said.

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Lifelong friend Ondrew F. Bellinger told the crowd how he and George Buggs used to ride bikes together and build forts as children. He said he was saddened at losing his friend but comforted by knowing that Sgt. Buggs died doing what he believed in.

Gov. Mark Sanford speaks at the funeral. Mr. Sanford later gave Staff Sgt. Buggs' son, Guy Quentin Buggs, a flag to express the thanks of the people of South Carolina. LOU KRASKY/ASSOCIATED PRESS

"All the memories I have overshadow this," he said of his friend's death.

After the ceremony, Staff Sgt. Buggs was buried at Hope Memorial Park with military honors, which included the firing of a salute. A bugler played taps. Then Staff Sgt. Buggs' body was lowered into the American ground he died serving.

"I don't think he could have gone a better way," friend Michael Odom said after the burial. "It was real honorable."

Reach Josh Gelinas at (803)279-6895 or josh.gelinas@augustachronicle.com.

--From the Sunday, April 13, 2003 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle