Soldier remembered for enthusiasm, humor Posted On: Tuesday, Jul. 15 2008 04:42 AM By Amanda Kim Stairrett
Killeen Daily Herald

FORT HOOD – Sgt. Douglas J. Bull could put a smile on anyone's face, said his friend, Pfc. Henry Guaghan.

The private remembered a time when his noncommissioned officer and several other soldiers were pulling overnight detail at a Fort Hood range. Ranges on post are home not only to training but herds of cattle. Several of the animals approached the soldiers, and Bull decided he wanted to touch the bull that wandered in with the group.

He got close, stretched out his arm and the bull responded by licking his hand. The sergeant let out a yelp and ran for a nearby Humvee. The soldiers laughed hard at Bull's antics and that's just the type of guy he was, Guaghan said. He could always brighten someone's day, and motivated others with enthusiasm and a sense of humor, Guaghan added.

Bull was honored during a memorial service at Fort Hood on Monday. He died July 8 at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered in Chow Kay Valley, Afghanistan, when his vehicle encountered a roadside bomb during a mounted patrol, according to information from the Defense Department. He was 29.

He was a combat engineer team leader in Alpha Company, Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. He arrived at Fort Hood in November 2007 and deployed to Afghanistan in June.

Bull is survived by his wife, Tera; children, Arianna and Jaden; mother, Mary Rambus; and father, Christopher.

The Pennsylvania native was not only an outstanding noncommissioned officer, but a close friend, Guaghan said. He treated everyone as an equal and never looked down on anyone.

Bull put soldiers before himself and helped Guaghan through some hard times, he added.

The sergeant was a friend to all – both on and off duty, Maj. Gregory Stokes said. He set an example all should follow, the officer said, and Bull's leadership will continue to inspire his brothers in arms.

Contact Amanda Kim Stairrett at astair@kdhnews.com or call (254) 501-7547.

Funeral services

Funeral services with full military honors for Sgt. Douglas John Bull are scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen. Burial will follow at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.

Bull's remains are scheduled to arrive today at Robert Gray Army Airfield and he will be escorted to the funeral home by Patriot Guard riders.

Bull's wife, Tera, said the family is not allowing media "because everyone's memory of him is of his smile, how much he cared about his friends and family.

"I do not want everyone to have to remember him forever by the images that are shown on TV and in newspapers. I am very proud that he served his country."

– From staff reports