Fallen Army captain laid to rest

COLUMBUS -- More than 500 attended Monday funeral services for Capt. Robert J. Yllescas, 31, of Killeen, Texas, at the Osceola Downtown Auditorium in Osceola.

Pastor Robert Perry officiated.

One hundred Patriot Guard Riders and American Legion Riders lined the entrance to the auditorium and the perimeter of the building, each holding an American flag to honor the memory of the fallen soldier.

“Our presence at these funerals is never about politics,” said Nebraska State Capt. Scott Knudsen of the Patriot Guard Riders. “All these men and women have come here today for the same reason �” to honor this fallen warrior.”

The silence outside the auditorium was broken only by the mournful tolling of the bell, which rang out every 10 seconds.

“The reason I ring the bell is to honor the memory and the service of the soldier who has sacrificed so much,” Dr. J.E. Kaufmann, of David City, said.

Yllescas was the son of Otto Roberto and Barbara Louise (Schott) Yllescas of Guatemala City, Guatemala.

He graduated from Inter-American School in Quezaltenango, Guatemala, in 1996 and received his bachelor of science degree in agronomy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2001.

Yllescas was married to Aldena Faye Gissler at the United Methodist Church in Osceola in July 2000. The couple’s daughters are Julia Faye, 7, and Eva Grace, 10 months.

By the time the service began, journalists from across the region had gathered to record the solemn, military service.

“We are gathered here today to celebrate the life of Robert Yllescas and to acknowledge our grief at his loss,” Perry said. “There are no words that can comfort us in the time of loss. Rob will forever be a part of your community and your lives and your stories.”

Nebraska Lt. Gov. Rich Sheehy told the family that while last month was a time of thanksgiving and remembering the blessings we all receive, Christmas time is a season when we remember the gifts we have received from one another in celebration of the season.

“The gift that Robert has left to us is the gift of our freedom,” Sheehy said.

Yllescas was commissioned into the United States Army in May 2001. He was deployed to Iraq in 2003-04 and again in 2005-06.

He took command of Bravo Troop 6-4 CAV 3rd Brigade 1st Infantry Division in May. The unit was deployed to Afghanistan in July and Yllescas was injured by the IED (Improvised Explosive Device) Oct. 28.

On Oct. 31, he was transferred to Landstuhl, Germany, for medical treatment and then on to Bethesda Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., where he remained until his death Dec. 1.

President George W. Bush donned a surgical mask and awarded Yllescas the Purple Heart in person Monday, Nov. 10, while Yllescas was being treated at Bethesda Naval Medical Center.

More than 100 attended the interment held at the Osceola Cemetery with military rites by the Nebraska National Guard Military Funeral Honors Team.

The interment services were closed with the flag folding ceremony, presentation of the flags, a 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps.

Law enforcement personnel from seven agencies were present to assist with traffic control and parking. Those present included the Nebraska State Patrol, Merrick County Sheriff, Butler County Sheriff, Platte County Sheriff; Central City, York and Columbus police departments and several Osceola firefighters.

Military branches represented included the United States Army, Nebraska National Guard, United States Navy and military reservists.

Yllescas’ survivors include his wife, Aldena of Killeen, Texas; two daughters, Julia and Eva of Killeen, Texas; his father, Otto Yllescas of Quezaltenango, Guatemala; his mother, Barbara Yllescas of Lincoln; a brother, Christopher (Ana Lucia) of Columbia, Mo.; two sisters, Jennifer (Shane) Winterbauer of Lincoln and Natalie (Daniel) Yllescas of Guatemala City; grandparents, Raymond and Esther Schott of Lincoln; in-laws, Alan and Bev Gissler of Osceola; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jose and Eva Yllescas.