Cathedral City soldier laid to rest

Family, friends, and the community filled the chapel at Forest Lawn to honor U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Suresh Krause.

His casket was draped with an American flag and the Army awarded him the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Action Badge for his service.

Loved ones remembered the soldier who called Cathedral city home as a hero who died a loyal patriot.

“Great job, Suresh. The light of the Lord is shining through you and impacted all who have known and loved you,” said Lewis Russo, Krause’s pastor.

“It’s this love and support that helped him achieve his dreams. To never accept defeat and to ultimately become the hero he is today,” said Krause’s girlfriend Ashley Radke.

“The entire community of Cathedral City — we thank you for sharing him with us and allowing him to do what was so important to him,” said Cathedral City Mayor Kathy De Rosa.

After the memorial, an honor guard loaded the casket onto a horse-drawn carriage that was escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders down the road to Desert Memorial Park for a service with full military honors, including a 21-gun salute and a Black Hawk flyover.

“This was done right. He was honored exactly how a hero should be honored. And we’re thankful for that,” said Brody Schmidt, Krause’s uncle.