1,000 honor star's short life
Newport athlete shot on the street
By John C. K. Fisher, Post staff reporter
In life, Anthony ''Pete'' Greene could bring people together because of his skills as a basketball player at Newport High School.
In death, Greene, who graduated from Newport High School in May, brought people together again.
But it wasn't Greene's basketball prowess that drew all the praise. Instead, Greene was eulogized for the way he respected everyone and the kindness he showed.
On Tuesday night, more than one thousand of Greene's family and friends celebrated his life in song and in scripture during an hour-long service in the high school gym where the 18-year-old gained a reputation as a clutch player.
''The Newport community will truly miss a rising young star,'' said Anthony Griffin, a member of the Taylor Mill congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses who gave the key remarks.
''He was well-respected by the young and the old. Pete Greene cared about people. And we need to think of our fellow man and not live our lives in a selfish way.''
Greene was shot to death on Isabella Street in Newport July 21 after stepping in to break up an argument between a friend and another teen-ager.
A 17-year-old Newport youth has been charged with murder and is awaiting a court hearing to determine whether he will be tried as an adult.
Greene was a member of The Kentucky Post All-Star team, an all-region player and earned honorable mention on the all-state team. During the 1998-99 season, he led Newport High School to its first 20-victory season in six years.
Greene's casket was placed in the center of the basketball court, where he had thrived in life. The stands in the gym were filled with a diverse crowd of blacks and whites, young and old, well-to-do and low-income people.
The floor of the gym was filled with Greene's friends and family. Members of his basketball team were there, as were a color guard and a dozen floral arrangements.
Several Campbell County and Newport city officials were there.
In the gym lobby, Campbell County Commissioner and former Newport Mayor Roland Vories took a deep breath.
''When will it end?'' he asked of the violence that claimed Greene's life.
Griffin said sometimes there are no good explanations why someone like Greene could be cut down before he has had a chance to live his life to the fullest.
However, Griffin cautioned the mourners not to seek vengeance.
''Return evil for evil to no one,'' Griffin said. ''Conquer the evil with the good.''
http://www.kypost.com/news/1999/greene072899.html
Yakki Da
Kent
I need more BOE letters, KMs and other material. Those who can send it to me - please do! The new section will be interesting!!
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