Maj. Gen. Edward Greer, trailblazing Army leader, laid to rest at Fort Bliss cemetery
Retired Maj. Gen. Edward Greer, who enlisted in the segregated military during World War II and became one of the first Black generals in the U.S. Army, was laid to rest.
The services, held Friday, Feb. 21, at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery at 5200 Fred Willson Ave., were complete with full military honors. His family and those in attendance witnessed the ceremonial firing of canons befitting his rank, a 21-gun salute and a eulogy from a military chaplain.
He was born on March 8, 1924.
The native of Gary, West Virginia, made his home in El Paso in 1976. He was 100 years old and a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Greer is survived by his son Michael Edward Greer, MD (husband Steve Bryant; former wife Pamela Greer-Walker, MD), grandchildren Lisa Cobb, Alissa Maru (Anteneh), Vaun Greer (Cynthia) and Tia Greer, and great-grandchildren Melia, Morgan, Maya, Zinzi, Clarke, Jude and AK.
His wife, Jewell, passed away in 2021 and was also laid to rest at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.
His son, Michael, spoke of a man who was a kind example of leadership, recalling how he became a pillar of the community through his charitable work. He also underscored how his father advocated for other black troops experiencing the hardships he faced.
"When he turned 100, he issued his final order. He said 'one day, you'll pass through this turn' and he said he loved us all," Michael said.
His son also noted that his father loved the El Paso community, which was most evident when he was offered a chance to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Greer declined, saying he wanted to be buried in El Paso at the same location as his wife and one of his children.
"We didn't know all the hardships he went through, but he persevered," Michael said.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Maj. Gen. Edward Greer laid to rest at Fort Bliss National Cemetery
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