Army Sgt. 1st Class Edward C. Kramer

Died June 29, 2009 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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39, of Wilmington, N.C.; assigned to the 120th Combined Arms Battalion, North Carolina National Guard, Wilmington, N.C.; died from wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle June 29 in Baghdad. Also killed were Sgt. Roger L. Adams Jr., Sgt. Juan C. Baldeosingh and Spc. Robert L. Bittiker.

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Funerals scheduled for 2 guardsmen killed in Iraq

The Associated Press

WILMINGTON, N.C. — Funeral arrangements are set for two of the four North Carolina National Guard soldiers killed in the unit's largest single combat loss since World War II.

A funeral will be held for Spc. Robert Bittiker on Wednesday at the Jones Funeral Home in Jacksonville. He will be buried at the Coastal State Veterans Cemetery. Mourners are invited to line the roads from the funeral home to the cemetery.

Sgt. 1st Class Edward Kramer's memorial service will be held Thursday at St. Mark Catholic Church in Wilmington. Mourners are also invited to line the roads from the church to the Wilmington National Cemetery.

Kramer's family requested donations be made to Step Up for Soldiers and St. Mark Catholic School instead of flowers.