potomac falls graduates don’t stop believing for fallen soldier and friend | loudountimes

8/4/2019 Potomac Falls graduates don’t stop believing for fallen soldier and friend | LoudounTimes

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/potomac-falls-graduates-dont-stop-believing-for-fallen-soldier-and-friend 1/4

Mobile Website | Login | Register Staff Directory | Advertise | Subscribe | Abou

Advanced Sea

SEARC

20

Monday, Sep. 5 by Laura Peters | 6 comments | Email this story

U.S. Army Spc. Doug Green wrote home a couple weeks ago, explaining his final wishes if anything were to happen to him while he was serving in Afghanistan. Green made a list of songsthat were to played at his wake. But, for any family member, those final wishes aren’t somethingthey want to have to go through with.

On Aug. 28, Green was killed by an an improvised explosive device and small arms fire in theKandahar province of Afghanistan, he was 23 years old.

Potomac Falls High School in Sterling, where Green graduated in 2006, opened its doors onSept. 3 to more than 300 people who paid their respects to Green and his family. The memorialservice held friends, family, teachers and members of the Army who spoke about the impact

Green had on their lives.

Each song Green chose played after each speaker spoke along with a collection of photographsthat spanned his 23-year life. Within minutes of the ceremony starting, emotions ran high in thehigh school gym. Oasis, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Coldplay echoed through the room.

“He grew up to be a handsome, strong and wonderful man. He never gave me one day of heartache or trouble ... never,” Suni Erlanger, Green’s mother said at the ceremony. “WhenDougie was a boy he was a fun, loving child and he grew up to be adored by his friends andfamily. He was especially close to his sisters, Krissy and Paige. He was always there for them. Hisstrength and his bravery will remain an inspiration to everyone.”

His family held strong through the ceremony, grasping each other’s hands, embracing oneanother and lending a shoulder to cry on.

“I just want to tell him how much I loved him and how I adored him more than anything in this world,” his sister, Krissy Green, said. “He was my best friend and I tried to talk to him as much

Stay

Connected

Follow Us

on Twitter

News | Sports

Most Popular in News

Friday, Sep. 2 | 7962 views

Burglar strikes Cooley Gallery

Monday, Sep. 5 | 4788 views

Potomac Falls graduates don’t stop believing for fallen soldier and friend

Sunday, Sep. 4 | 2982 views

Clinic rules could push Virginia to thforefront of abortion debate

Monday, Sep. 5 | 2882 views

UPDATE: Leesburg boy sings at USOpen

Saturday, Sep. 3 | 2827 views

High School Football: Broad Run shuout Briar Woods

News Opinions Sports Entertainment/Life Blogs Video Classifieds Advertise Real Estate Loudoun Business

Potomac Falls graduates don’t stop believing for fallen soldier andfriend



as I could while he was over there. He was my hero.”

Green’s sisters were accompanied by their mother and stepfather Don Erlanger, Green’s fatherDoug Green and stepmother Donna Green.

The crowd wore shirts that said, “Our hero, our friend” with a silhouette of Green on the back with the dates 1988 to 2011 and angel wings that spanned the back. Others were also wearingthe color green in honor of Green’s last name.

Green’s girlfriend Alicia Swamstrom knew him in high school because she was friends with hissister, Krissy. She said that she was never really interested in him in high school and always saw him as “Krissy’s little brother.”

“When I finally saw him last December, there was something different about him. He had grownup, he was a man and despite all that he had seen [in] the Army he had still held on to all those wonderful qualities. He wasn’t Krissy’s little brother anymore. And with that smile of his … I wasdone for,” Swamstrom said.

“The connection I had with Doug was unlike any other I would ever experience. I felt like wehad been together for a lifetime already and that’s what was so great about him.” Swamstromcontinued. “He was warm, safe and comfortable because he was so accepting and never judgedanyone. I knew life with him the only way life could go was up. He showed me what true love isand life can be good. No one can or ever will replace Doug because he truly was one of a kind.”

Green’s squad leader, Staff Sgt. Bryan Eulle of the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 1stStryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division in Fort Wainwright, Alaska, told stories of how Green’s personality was so uplifting to the other soldiers. Green would quote Hans Solo andmake up songs and routines for the next big musical he would produce, Eulle said.

But Green wasn’t always the jokester, those who knew him said. He took his job seriously and would often volunteer himself to lead his squadron on missions.

“He accepts the most danger and responsibility than anybody, because what’s on the other sideof that door is unknown,” Eulle said. “It showed his kind of courageous character.”

Eulle even told a story about when they were stationed in Iraq, Green said how much he wantedto be drinking daiquiris with everyone. So, Green’s mother sent over daiquiri mix and a blender.

“All of sudden Cinco de Mayo was an official Iraqi holiday,” Eulle said. “That small gesture, itsnapped everybody out of this trance, this auto pilot they were on.”

A group of Green’s high school friends reminisced about the crazy stunts they did growing up.One story was about how they all crowded into a car with a bunch of cartons of eggs. Thearrived at a house, piled out of the car and egged the home. Not only did Green propose theidea, but the house they chose to egg was his own.

“We immediately became best friends. There’s so many great stories about Dougie it’s almostimpossible to pick out just one great memory. Growing up we always found a way to have fun orget into trouble. I saw my first rated ‘R’ movie at Dougie’s house and his sister Krissy was one of the first girls I asked to be my valentine,” Green’s friend, Ben Spear said. “The word empty doesnot even begin to describe the hole that has be left by the loss of Dougie. I feel honored and blessed that he was a part of my life for so long and I’m sorry for the people who did not get toknow him.”

The ceremony closed out with Green’s best friend Micheala Ottenberg telling of the days they had sleepovers and how Green always protected her.

“I have known Doug Green for 18 years. I don’t remember my life before him. A lot of people say things like that, but I mean it in the most literal sense. I actually do not remember a time in my life that Doug Green is not a part of,” Ottenberg said.

When Ottenberg learned that Green had enlisted she said she wasn’t surprised. She said she was

proud that he could do such a selfless thing, but that’s just what Green did.

“Losing great people isn’t fair, especially when they are so young. We cannot think of the times we have lost with him, but cherish the times we were so incredibly blessed to have,” Ottenbergsaid. “Most people will go their whole life never meeting, never knowing, never loving someonelike Doug Green. But what’s even worse is that most people will never get to be loved by someoneso amazing.

“He wasn’t just my best friend, he was yours too, he was ours.”

As her words faded, the last song played. The piano sounded out through the PA system and it was Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” and everyone stood up and sang.

Spc. Douglas Jay Green’s funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 14 at Arlington Cemetery.

Krissy Green, left, andSuni Erlanger, sister andmother of U.S. Army Spc.

Like Us

on FacebookNews & Sports

Subscribe

via RSS

News | Sports

Join Our

Email List

Sign up forweekly updates

The Loudoun Times-Mirror

is an interactive, digital replicaof the printed newspaper.

Open the e-edition now.

View our other print publications available online.

WeeklyHomes Guide

2011 Guideto Loudoun

Tasteof Loudoun

Healthand Beauty

BridalGuide

Historic FrederMaryland

SummerCamps

Homeand Garden

Historic DowntoLeesburg

HealthResolutions

FutureLeaders

ComingSoon



20

Doug Green, who waskilled in Afghanistan,console each other duringa memorial service atPotomac Falls High SchoolSept. 3, while Green'sstepfather Don Er langerlooks on. Times-MirrorStaff Photo/Beverly Denny

U.S. Army Spc. Doug

Green's former highschool teacher JeannieJens reads a letter fromGreen written just weeksbefore he was killed inAfghanistan addressinghis loved ones in case of his death. Some of theapproximately threehundred attending hismemorial service atPotomac Falls High Schoolwipe away tears as theylisten to his last wishes.Times-Mirror Staff Photo/Beverly Denny

Comments

Wed, Sep 07 at 01:49 PM by Jeff Ottenberg | Report this comment

Sometimes in death, people get put on a pedestal, and tributes are overblown.This is NOT the case with Doug Green. His “Celebration of Life” at Potomac FallsHigh School Saturday evening was filled with love and admiration for a “a True American Hero.” If you ever met Doug, you knew you were in the presence of aunique individual, that would never say anything negative about anybody. Forhim to pay the ultimate sacrifice for his beliefs is a true measure of a man. He will be sorely missed by everybody.

Wed, Sep 07 at 12:49 PM by I love America | Report this comment

Thank You for what you have done!!!!

Wed, Sep 07 at 09:55 AM by Cathy L. Cox | Report this comment



Doug, you are a hero who put his life on the line to save others. You will forever be alive in your family and friends hearts. You will walk beside them and protectthem just as you had intended. Thank you Doug, for dedicating yourself to keepus safe. May God Bless you and keep you in his ever-loving arms. Rest in peaceour dear hero.

Wed, Sep 07 at 07:36 AM by Bless Doug | Report this comment

No parent should ever have to bury their child. What unimagineable grief. Ihope the family can find comfort in the fact that Doug was a true hero. Notmany men & women are brave enough to step forward to protect their Country,

and for his unselfishness, I thank you Doug. Rest in peace and know that youmade a difference and your passing was not in vain. My prayers and thoughtsare with the family during this very difficult time.

Tue, Sep 06 at 03:00 PM by a friend | Report this comment

May you rest in peace Doug and your family will go on in your memory - uponhearing all the wonderful memories - you truly were one of the great ones -thank you for your service. You gave the ultimate sacrifice - I feel honored tohave been able to meet you.

Tue, Sep 06 at 08:50 AM by Western Loudouner | Report this comment

Rest Peacefully Soldier.

Comments express only the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of this website or any associatedperson or entity. Any user who believes a message is objectionable can contact us at [email protected] .

Post a comment

Anyone can post a comment. Registration is not required.By submitting a comment, you agree to our Terms of Service.

Name (required):

E-mail (required):

Remember my personal i nformation

Please enter the word you see in the image below:

Submit

By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Service.

News | Opinions | Sports | Entertainment | Blogs | Video | Classifieds | Contact Us | Work for Us | Virginia Newspapers |

Copyright © 2010 Loudoun Times-Mirror, a Times Community News newspaper.

potomac falls graduates don’t stop believing for fallen soldier and friend | loudountimes

Documents