2010
Pfc. Gifford E. Hurt
Hometown: Yonkers, New York, U.S.
Age: 19 years old
Died: January 20, 2010 in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Unit: Army, 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, 214th Fires Brigade,
4th Infantry Division, Fort Sill, Okla.
Incident: Died in Mosul, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related
accident.
Pfc. Gifford E. Hurt
DOD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation
Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Gifford E. Hurt, 19, of Yonkers, N.Y., died Jan. 20, in Mosul, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a
non-combat related accident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, 214th Fires
Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Sill, Okla.
The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.
For more information the media may contact the Fort Sill Public Affairs Office at 580-917-2663 or
580-917-7960.
An Army carry team stands near a transfer case containing the remains of Pfc. Gifford Hurt Friday, Jan.
22, 2010 at Dover Air Force Base, Del. According to the Department of Defense, Hurt, of Yonkers, N.Y.,
died while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. (AP Photo/ Steve Ruark)
Yonkers soldier dies in Iraq; LoHud seeks to interview family or friends
JANUARY 22, 2010
Pfc. Gifford Hurt, of Yonkers, has died while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, officials said.
His body arrived Friday at Dover Air Force Base, Del.
Family members watched the transfer of his body from the aircraft, said Lt. Col. Les Carroll.
The Department of Defense has not released details of the death.
A military community Web log said Hurt was killed in a Humvee crash.
LoHud/The Journal News would like to interview family or friends of Pfc. Hurt for a story on
the soldier. Please call the newsroom at 914-694-5077 or e-mail tgrauel@lohud.com with
contact information. Thank you.
Oklahoma Briefs
Published: January 25, 2010
FORT SILL
New York soldier dies
A Yonkers, N.Y., soldier stationed at Fort Sill died Wednesday in Mosul, Iraq, the Department of Defense
reported. Fort Sill officials said Pfc. Gifford E. Hurt, 19, died in a vehicle accident. Hurt was assigned to the
1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, 214th Fires Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. He was a multiple
launch rocket system crewman, deployed as part of Task Force Leader, officials said. A memorial service is
being planned at Fort Sill. A funeral in North Carolina is set for Friday, the one-year anniversary of his
enlistment.
Gifford Ethan Hurt Jr.
RAEFORD - U.S. Army Pfc. Gifford Ethan Hurt Jr., 19, of 116 Hollow Lane, passed away Wednesday, Jan.
20, 2010, in Mosul, Iraq. This was his first deployment with his unit 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery
Regiment, 214 th Fires Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, based out of Fort Sill, Okla. He was born Oct. 10,
1990 in New York to Lisa and Gifford Hurt Sr. Upon his mother's remarriage, at the age of 2, he was raised
by her and his stepfather Reginald S. Thompson of Charlotte. G.J., as he was affectionately called, loved life.
He had a thirst for knowledge. His passion was boxing, basketball, and weight training. He joined the U.S.
Army right out of high school, as this was a dream of his. He died doing what he loved, defending his
country. His dream was to retire from the Army. He was a loving son, brother, grandson, nephew and friend.
G.J. leaves behind to cherish his memories his loving mother, Lisa; stepfather, Reginald Thompson of
Charlotte; his siblings, Ashley and husband Brandon and their child Briannah of Fort Stewart, Ga., Tarique,
Malik and Alyssa; his grandmothers, Yvonne McTurner and Lovella Thompson; and a host of aunts, uncles,
cousins and dear friends. The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 tonight, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2010, at
Wiseman Mortuary, 431 Cumberland St., Fayetteville. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home at
noon on Friday, Jan. 29, 2010. He will be laid to rest immediately following the service at Sandhills State
Veterans Cemetery, 400 Murchison Road, Spring Lake.
Published in Fayetteville Observer on January 28, 2010
Published: 07:02 AM, Wed Jan 27, 2010
Family recalls soldier who died in Iraq as a good person
By Drew Brooks
Staff writer
After Tarique Thompson dunked in his high school's basketball game Friday, he pointed to the sky. But the
basket was the last thing on his mind.
Instead, Thompson, a freshman on Fayetteville Christian's varsity basketball team, was thinking of his older
brother, Pfc. Gifford Hurt, a soldier stationed in Iraq who died just days before the game.
Hurt's and Thompson's mother, Lisa Davis, wanted to be at that game, but she couldn't go.
Instead, Davis was at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, waiting for her son's body.
"That was awful. It was awful," she said. "It was the most . I can't even describe it."
Hurt, 19, of Yonkers, N.Y., died on Jan. 20 in Mosul, Iraq. Davis, who has lived in Fayetteville for about a
year, said her son died when he and another soldier took an armored Humvee out on a food run and
crashed.
Hurt was in the passenger seat, she said, and was thrown from the vehicle during the wreck.
Davis said she was told her son felt no pain. It's a small solace to Davis, but she said her son died doing
what he loved - serving his country. The young soldier had joined the Army less than a year ago, enlisting
on Jan. 29, 2009.
Both Davis and Hurt's father served in the military throughout his childhood. Hurt wanted to be a career
soldier, Davis said.
He was stationed at Fort Sill, Okla., as a member to the 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, 214th
Fires Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. But he had plans to enter airborne school and eventually Ranger
school.
"He loved it," she said. "My son was going to be a great leader one day." Davis said her son wasn't
supposed to be in Iraq. He was originally assigned to a rear detachment but volunteered to go overseas
when an opening presented itself.
"He was so excited to go," Davis said. Admittedly, Hurt was bored in Iraq, Davis said. He wanted to see
action. He wanted to do his part. But the jovial and athletic soldier made an impression during his short time
in the country.
Nearly a week after she was told of his death, Davis said she's still receiving e-mails from friends and coworkers who looked up to him.
Close relationship
Mother and son were uncommonly close, Davis said. The two would Skype for hours on a nightly basis.
They would talk about his hopes and dreams and discuss life in general.
She said she was able to talk to him the day before he died. She said it was during that conversation that
she realized her baby was now a man.
Davis said the family took the news of Hurt's death pretty hard. Thompson took it particularly rough.
Friday's homage to his older brother was a nod of respect and admiration to the sibling that once sparred
with him in the same sport on a regular basis, Davis said.
"It was just a shock to everybody," she said. "We don't believe it. It's just surreal." In addition to his mother
and brother, Hurt is survived by a wife, Rontanza Ray, and stepson, Draquan Ray.
He also has two sisters, Ashley Trapp and Alyssa Thompson, and one other brother, Malik Thompson.
A funeral for Hurt will be held at Wiseman Mortuary Chapel in Fayetteville on Friday at noon, followed by a
burial at Sandhills Veterans Cemetery.
An e-mail sent to students at Fayetteville Christian said students will be allowed to attend the funeral if they
provide a note from home. A bus will be provided for those who wish to attend.
Staff writer Drew Brooks can be reached at brooksd@fayobserver.com or 486-3567.
YONKERS SOLDIER GIFFORD HURT, 19, DIES IN IRAQ AFTER VEHICLE FLIPS OVER
BY JOE KEMP
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER SUNDAY, JANUARY 24TH 2010, 4:00 AM
A soldier from Yonkers who planned on a career in the military died Wednesday in Iraq after he was thrown from an
out-of-control Humvee, authorities and family said.
Pfc. Gifford Hurt, 19, was killed in the early-morning wreck when the vehicle flipped off a road and threw him from a
passenger seat, his mother, Lisa Davis, told the Daily News Saturday night.
The soldier's funeral, which is tentatively scheduled for Friday in North Carolina, will tragically mark the one-year
anniversary of his enlistment in the Army, Davis said.
Hurt had planned his life around serving the country.
"He was going to do the max they would let him do," Davis said. "He would've been 65 years old, walking with a cane
before they would have to get rid of him."
Davis, 42, served in the Army for 22 years before retiring in November 2007, she said.
Hurt was the second oldest of her five children, all raised in Army bases around the world.
"He was an Army brat," she said. "All of our friends are in the military and that's all he knew."
While he was in Iraq, the two stayed in contact every day on the Internet.
"I would stay up every night until he Skyped with me," she said, adding that their conversations didn't usually start
until after 1 a.m.
Talking to him before bed made it easier for her to fall asleep. "At least I knew he was back inside," she said.
A ceremony for Hurt will be held on Tuesday when his body is flown into North Carolina's Pope Air Force base. He
will be buried with full military honors, his family said.
"He was a joy," said Davis. "He had many friends. He was well loved." jkemp@nydailynews.com
Lance Cpl. Zachary D. Smith
Hometown: Hornell, New York, U.S.
Age: 19 years old
Died: January 24, 2010 in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Unit: Marines, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II
Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Incident: Died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province,
Afghanistan.
http://news10now.com/cny-news-1013-content/top_stories/494215/hornell-mournsfallen-marine
Updated 01/26/2010 05:55 AM
Hornell mourns fallen Marine
By: Kaitlyn Lionti
The Hornell community was hit with tragedy this weekend, learning that 19-year-old Lance Corporal
Zachary Smith had been killed in Afghanistan. Our Kaitlyn Lionti spoke with family friends and tells us what
they'll miss most about their fallen hero.
HORNELL, N.Y. -- Flags in Hornell fly at half staff as the community mourns the loss of a beloved son.
Zachary Smith, 19, was killed while serving his country in Afghanistan this weekend.
"Always aspired to be a Marine. He was doing want he wanted to, what he loved," said Hornell Mayor
Shawn Hogan. The 2008 graduate of Hornell High School played football and golf and was supportive of his
classmates both on and off the field.
"He was great with younger students. If there was a student who maybe socially wasn't the best, Zach
would step up, he'd always say hi to that kid," said high school teacher Mark Labanoski.
Friends say Smith's caring personality also showed through during his time working at the local Wegmans.
"If you ran into Zach, you better have a little bit of time, because he was going to shake your hand, he was
going to ask you about your family, he was going to ask you about your kids and really meant it and then
you left always feeling better," said Gene Mastin, Hornell athletic director and football coach.
Although Smith's life was cut short, there is no shortage of memories those who knew him have of what a
special person he was and the lasting impact he had on the community.
"Whenever he would come home from the military, he always made it a point to stop in to a lot of the
teachers, say hello, see how we're doing. Always had a joke, always had a smile. Gonna miss that," said
Labanoski.
"You cannot say enough about this young man. He really, he always brought a smile to your face and a little
skip to your heart," Hogan said.
And their memories of Smith are what the community will hold on to, even after they say goodbye.
"Zach's going to be remembered for the way he treated people. If there were ever a manual on the right way
to treat people, Zach would have been the one that would have written it," Mastin said.
Smith leaves behind his wife of six months, his parents and a brother and sister. His body is expected to
arrive in the United States at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware Tuesday night.
http://news10now.com/tompkins-cortland-news-1045content/top_stories/494729/fallen-marine-returns-home/?ap=1&MP
Lance Cpl. Zachary D. Smith, 19, of Hornell, N.Y.
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
On the Web:
http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=13270
Public contact:
http://www.defense.gov/landing/comment.aspx
Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 070-10
January 26, 2010
DOD Identifies Marine Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three Marines who were supporting Operation
Enduring Freedom.
The following Marines died Jan. 24 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan:
Sgt. Daniel M. Angus, 28, of Thonotosassa, Fla.
Lance Cpl. Timothy J. Poole, 22, of Bowling Green, Ky.
Lance Cpl. Zachary D. Smith, 19, of Hornell, N.Y.
Angus and Smith were assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Poole was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force,
Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
For additional background information on Angus and Smith, news media representatives may contact the II
Marine Expeditionary Force public affairs office at910-451-7200.
For additional background information on Poole, news media representatives may contact Marine Corps Base
Hawaii public affairs office at 808-257-8838.
Hornell, N.Y. Lance Corporal Zachary D. “Zach” Smith, 19, died while serving his country with the United States Marine
Corps in Afghanistan. He was the husband of Anne (Deebs) Smith; son of Chris and Kim Smith; brother of
Nate and Grace Smith; grandson of Sid and Alice Smith and Darrell and Donna McDaniel.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St.,
Hornell.
Breaking News, Military, State News, Top News »
Marine from Upstate NY killed in Afghanistan
By Mike McAndrew / The Post-Standard
January 26, 2010, 4:28PM
Hornell, NY - A Marine from Hornell, in Steuben County, was one of three Marines killed
Sunday in Afghanistan, the Department of Defense announced today.
Lance Cpl. Zachary D. Smith, 19, died along with Sgt. Daniel M. Angus, 28, of Thonotosassa,
Fla., and Lance Cpl. Timothy J. Poole, 22, of Bowling Green, Ky., while supporting combat
operations in Helmand province, the Defense Department said. No further details were
released.
Smith was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
A community mourns
Hornell, N.Y. -
Lit candles were placed on doorsteps and sidewalks throughout the Maple City Monday night and flags are
still hung at half staff today, a tangible reminder of Hornell mourning its fallen hero, Lance Cpl. Zachary
Smith.
Smith, 19, a U.S. Marine and 2008 Hornell High School graduate, was one of two U.S. service members
killed by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan Saturday.
Smith is survived by his wife, Anne (Deebs) Smith, who he married last summer, his brother Nathaniel, 23,
his sister Grace, 10, his parents, Christopher Smith, an Amity-based state trooper who is the Canaseraga
Central School resource officer, and his wife Kim, his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mike and Andrea
Deebs of Hornell, and his grandparents, Alice and Sid Smith and Donna and Darrell McDaniel.
Family members are traveling to Dover, Del., to take part in ceremonies returning their loved one home.
For updates on this story, posts will be made at our Web site www.eveningtribune.com as information
becomes available to the newspaper.
The Hornell City School District held a Monday afternoon press conference where Athletic Director Gene
Mastin and Mark Labanoski, a HHS teacher and friend of the Smith family, spoke to the media.
“Few young people in our community have been as universally loved as was Zach Smith. He was one of the
friendliest, happiest kids I’ve ever known. Regardless of how your day was going whenever you saw Zach he
made it a little better. Zach had a positive nature that was absolutely infectious,” said Mastin, who was one
of Smith’s football coaches and close with his family.
Mastin held back tears as he mentioned Monday was six months to the day after he married his high school
sweetheart, Anne Smith, and talked about the young gentleman that gave his life protecting the country.
“As a student, an athlete, and a person, Zach was more concerned with helping those around him than for
himself. He was always helping a younger person at the school, an older person in the community, or a
teammate on one of his teams. He was a giver with his ambition in life to be a United States Marine for as
long as anyone can remember. It seemed only natural to him that he would follow the calling to serve his
country.”
Even in the chambers of city government, the horror of this tragedy was felt by emotional officials,
prompting Mayor Shawn Hogan to address the issue at both the beginning and end of the Common Council’s
Monday evening meeting.
“The tragedy of this past weekend rocked the community to the very core and I just ask everyone to be
supportive and respectful of the family and maintain your faith. Don’t lose faith, in God and in one another
... Remember at a time like this you really shouldn’t sweat the small stuff,” said Hogan.
Brian Dyring, a HHS physical education teacher, spoke to the way the Hornell area knew Smith in a Monday
article in The Tribune.
“He was always smiling, always able to joke, always respectful and never a problem. He was your allAmerican kid. He was the type of kid that if you’re a parent and you had a son you’d want your son to grow
up and be just like him,” said Dyring, adding, “He was without a doubt the greatest kid to walk the hallways
at Hornell High School.”
The Smiths will be making funeral arrangements with the Dagon Funeral Home on Church Street, but plans
are incomplete at this time.
Lance Cpl. Zachary Smith dies in Afghanistan
By Justin Head Daily Reporter Mon Jan 25, 2010, 02:02 PM EST
Lance Cpl. Zachary Smith
HORNELL Lance Cpl. Zachary Smith, 19, a U.S. Marine from Hornell, was one of two U.S. service members killed by a roadside
bomb in southern Afghanistan Saturday. The popular Hornell High graduate, married just six months ago, was
remembered as a friendly young man with a bright future.
“He always wanted to be a Marine. It’s something he always wanted and looked forward to. He was taking after his
uncle Matt. That’s why he joined the Marines,” said his grandfather, Sid Smith of North Hornell.
“(Zachary) was always the life of the party. Excellent personality, always doing harmless devilish things. He was very
well liked for his personality.”
Smith’s grandmother, Alice Smith, spoke for all in the Hornell area who knew him.
“He was a great kid,” she said, adding, “Full of life and and love, always on the up. He had a lot of friends and was a
thoughtful boy.”
Smith is survived by his wife, Anne (Deebs) Smith, who he married last summer, his brother Nathaniel, 23, his sister
Grace, 10, and his parents, Christopher Smith, an Amity-based state trooper who is the Canaseraga Central School
resource officer, and his wife Kim, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mike and Andrea Deebs of Hornell.
Family members are traveling today to Dover, Del., to take part in ceremonies returning their son to the United States.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Mayor Shawn Hogan said the Smiths are his neighbors on Mays Avenue and he was deeply saddened by the news.
“He grew up across the street from me and he always brought a smile to my face and happiness to my heart because he
was such a warm personality ... It’s almost like a part of my family is gone. I just know this is a big loss for the
community. You often hear about these brave young men dying and it’s always somebody else’s brother or son. Now
this is something we have to cope with,” said Hogan.
Hogan ordered the city flags flown at half staff Sunday morning until Smith’s body is returned home.
“The brutality of war was dumped at our door step this morning and it’s ugly,” Hogan said. Zachary Smith played two
seasons of varsity football at Hornell High School, starting on the offensive line at the center position in 2007. He
graduated in 2008 and joined the Marines in July that year.
Known by those close to him for his sense of humor and athleticism, Smith touched the lives of many coaches at HHS.
Mickey Carretto retired from the HHS football program after the 2008 season. Carretto coached the Red Raiders
offensive line and linebackers from 1998 to 2008.
“I’ve known him since he was a baby,” Carretto said. “He was one of the most sincere, honest, nice kids that you’ll
ever meet up with. Always a smile on his face and he always had a great positive attitude. He always took the time
with the younger kids, he took them under his wing so to speak. In fact, he treated my little girls like gold. They’re as
devastated as anybody right now ... You can’t say enough good things about him. A blue-chip kid who will be missed
by everybody.”
Gene Mastin, HHS athletic director and head varsity football coach, spoke to the same degree of the soldier, neighbor,
friend and family member that remains on so many minds.
“They don’t come any better,” Mastin said. “If Hornell ever had a favorite son it was probably Zach Smith. He was
universally liked. Everything about him was good,” he said. “Devastating. You deal with so many great kids and Zach
was right at the top of the list. I can’t imagine ... he was just everything that was good about any kid growing up today.
He was just one of the best, most well-respected kids we’ve had in our school.”
Mastin said the pair formed a close bond over the years without effort. “I don’t know but we did,” Mastin said. “He
was just one of those kids that was so easy to like. And such a hard worker. He called me every week of every game,
throughout the playoffs and things like that ... You get close with people, and this was somebody I was going to be
close with for the rest of our lives. A great kid and a great family. One of those things that you really grapple to find
words for. Just devastating.”
The character of Zachary Smith, who would have been 20 on April 2, according to his grandparents, was even felt by
those who briefly knew him. Jerry McAneny, a BOCES physical education teacher, did not teach Smith, but has a son
who graduated in his class and spoke to Smith on several occasions.
“I knew him through school. He was just a great kid. He was a gentleman, a lot of fun to be around, and always
respectful,” he said. “When he came back after joining the Marines he came into school with his uniform and talked to
me. There was a fire drill and we went outside in the front lawn and he told me how he was doing and how proud he is
to be serving the country.” Others found great pleasure getting to know him better.
“He was always smiling, always able to joke, always respectful and never a problem. He was your all-American kid.
He was the type of kid that if you’re a parent and you had a son you’d want your son to grow up and be just like him,”
said Brian Dyring, a HHS physical education teacher who instructed Smith. “He was without a doubt the greatest kid
to walk the hallways at Hornell High School.”
Michael Brewer is a manager at the Hornell Wegmans and worked with Smith, who was a cashier and handled various
other responsibilities in the couple of years he worked there. “The best way to describe him was an all-around likeable
kid. He touched everyone with his humor ... He was a great kid. It was that simple. He was great to be around and he
always lifted everyone’s spirits,” said Brewer.
Sid Smith said his grandson was a proud Marine and was just beginning his patrols. Alice Smith noted that the
community has been respectful and there has been an “outpouring of love from our friends and family.”
Congressman Eric Massa, D-Corning, met with the family Sunday, and this morning issued the following statement:
“Like all members of this community, I am saddened by the sacrifice of Lance Corporal Zach Smith and my heart goes
out to his entire family. I will do everything in my power to help the entire Smith family through this terrible tragedy
and I ask everyone to keep the Smiths in their prayers.”
According to the Associated Press, the two deaths brought to at least 22 the number of American service members
killed so far this month — compared with only 14 for the whole of January last year. A mild winter has brought no
respite to the fighting, which traditionally drops off during the cold months.
The south of Afghanistan is the Taliban heartland and is expected to be a major focus of fighting as the U.S. and
NATO allies send 37,000 additional troops to turn the tide of the war. Afghanistan is one of the most heavily mined
countries in the world — a legacy from decades of Soviet occupation and subsequent civil wars. Tens of thousands of
mines and unexploded bombs still pepper the rugged country as violence has slowed efforts to clear them.
Includes reporting by Derrick Balinsky and The Associated Press.
4 Marines die in Helmand combat ops
Staff and wire report Posted : Tuesday Jan 26, 2010 20:00:27 EST
4 Marines die in H You have been s
http://w w w .marin
Four Marines died over the weekend during combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, the
Defense Department announced Tuesday.
Lance Cpl. Jeremy M. Kane, 22, of Towson, Md., died last Saturday. A reservist, he was assigned to the 4th
Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Sgt. Daniel M. Angus, 28, of Thonotosassa, Fla.; Lance Cpl. Timothy J. Poole, 22, of Bowling Green, Ky.;
and Lance Cpl. Zachary D. Smith, 19, of Hornell, N.Y. died Sunday.
Angus and Smith were assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Poole was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. He joined the Corps in June
2007 and reported to Kaneohe Bay in December 2007. He was deployed to Iraq in 2008 and 2009,
returning to Kaneohe in March.
More detailed information of the incidents was not immediately available.
Check www.marinecorpstimes.com for updates.
Many flags and more tears as Hornell's Zachary Smith carried home
By Andy Thompson
The Evening Tribune
Sat Jan 30, 2010, 07:47 PM EST
Hornell, N.Y. They stood, some for more than an hour, as the sun went down late Saturday afternoon.
Friends, classmates, teachers, former and present Marines and other U.S. service members fought back the
bone-chilling cold but not their tears as Lance Cpl. Zachary Smith was carried home. Many held flags, some
held candles, all carried sadness as the state police-escorted cortege slowly made its way to the outskirts of
Hornell and down Seneca Road, passing below the home of Anne Smith, the high school sweetheart he had
married just six months ago.
People, hundreds of people, lined the streets to pay respect to the first Hornell casualty of war since Vietnam.
A little after 5 p.m. the procession crossed the Seneca Street bridge to reach Mays Avenue, where the 2008
Hornell High School graduate called home before beginning service to his country.
It was a week ago the family first learned that Smith, 19, had been killed during one of the first days of his
patrol in southern Afghanistan. The news began a week of sorrow, and remembrance, and all awaited the
return of a young man widely admired for his friendly ways, courage and sense of humor.
Voices dropped to silence as the cortege passed Hornell High. Bright lights lit the field where Smith had
played football as a Red Raider. Standing in front were many of his classmates, and his coach, Gene Mastin.
Nearby, Marine veterans of all ages dipped flags as the hearse passed, a collection of men from as far away
as Corning and as near as the street where Smith grew up. Windows and doors were open at many Mays
Avenue homes, with watery-eyed faces peeking outside, watching the return of their fallen hero.
Just minutes before, routine weekend life was at a standstill as the procession headed toward Hornell.
Neighbors walked house to house, updating others on the location of the cortege. Several young children
appeared from houses and got out of cars, looking down the street awaiting a scene few had ever
encountered, nor could imagine.
It could be safely said that Hornell has never been more silent, collectively, despite so many people on the
streets, than during the minutes it took for the procession to move through the city.
Nearly two hours before, a military jet from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware had landed at Rochester
International Airport. It taxied into a hangar and inside, a Marine honor guard aided in the transfer of the
body for the ride south and home. All along the route signs of remembrance could be seen, as those watching
along I-390 to Dansville and then Arkport joined in the tribute.
Upon the cortege’s destination, the Dagon Funeral Home on Church Street, another Marine honor guard
transferred the body inside. Nearby, a crowd with dozens of crying bystanders packed together, some
shaking their heads, others with eyes closed, all with some form of evident emotion transfixed on the coffin
that carried a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, a friend, a Marine.
Services announced
- Public calling hours for Smith will be from 2-6 p.m. on both Monday and Tuesday at the Dagon Funeral
Home. The funeral will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Ann’s Church on Erie Avenue. The full
obituary appears on page 2A of today’s newspaper and also online at eveningtribune.com
- The Hornell City School District announced Friday that all schools will be closed on Wednesday.
- On Thursday, Gov. David Paterson ordered all flags on state government buildings to be flown at half staff.
Flags have been flown at half staff in the Maple City and surrounding area since word of the tragedy arrived.
Local Hero is Laid to Rest (VIDEO)
Kelsie Smith
February 3, 2010
HORNELL - The tolling of bells was the only sound throughout Hornell this morning, as the community
gathered to pay their last respects to a fallen hero.
“It's really tough getting through something like this,” said Steven Smith, Zach’s friend since childhood,
“especially something that hasn't happened to too much of us or too much of the community.”
Nineteen-year-old Lance Corporal Zachary Smith was killed on January 24th by a roadside bomb, just
39 days after being deployed to Afghanistan.
“We're all so blessed to be able to have spent 19 years with him,” said Eric Davis, Zach’s friend and
former teammate.
It was standing room only at St. Anne's Church today, New York State Police, Veterans, the Marine
Corps, Servicemen, friends, family and strangers braved the cold, waiting to say goodbye to Zach.
In the church his mother told of the son she loved for 19 years.
“Zach was a precious gift that God gave us,” said Kim Smith, Zach’s Mother.
Zach’s brother, Nate Smith, told the congregation how Zach touched every person he met, including
him.
“Zach made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Nate, “I will be forever indebted to him and now my brother in my
hero.” Lance Corporal Smith received the Purple Heart today from his fellow marines.
“We can all learn how to be better, more caring, loving and respectable people by reminiscing the
memories of Zach,” said his friend Adam Dwyer.
“He was a great kid,” said Davison, “and like someone said before, if you have a son you want him to be
like Zach.”
Lance Cororal Zachary Smith was laid to rest at St. Mary's Cemetery with full military honors.
http://www.weny.com/News-Local.asp?ARTICLE3864=9151143
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Zachary Smith laid to rest in Hornell
Sean Dobbin – Staff writer
Local News – February 4, 2010 - 5:00am
LYNN BRENAN The Evening Tribune
State Trooper Christopher Smith, second from left, puts his hand on his heart as his son’s coffin is placed in a hearse
before being transported from St. Ann’ Church in Hornell to St. Mary’s Cemetery in Fremont.
The words came easily for some, less so for others, but each person who spoke was able to recount
some of their most vivid memories of the young man who had touched them so deeply.
Zach buying a Jeep on eBay. Zach playing lineman for the Hornell High football team against kids 100
pounds bigger. Zach paying for the groceries of an elderly woman who couldn’t find her credit card.
By the end of the ceremony, more than 500 people had gathered in St. Ann’s Church in Hornell,
Steuben County, to say goodbye to U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Zach Smith, who was killed in Afghanistan
on Jan. 24.
A 2008 graduate of Hornell High School, the 19-year old Smith was the community’s first casualty in
the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“He had a lasting impact on so many people,” said Hornell Mayor Shawn Hogan, who was also a
neighbor and family friend to the Smiths. “His caring, his humor … he was just one of God’s special
gifts, always looking to give.”
Smith is survived by his wife Anne, his parents Christopher and Kim, his older brother Nate, and his
younger sister Grace, all of whom were in attendance on Wednesday morning.
“Even though he would never admit to it, when we were younger, he looked up to me … I was his
hero,” said Nate Smith. “I believe my brother is now my hero.”
The ceremony’s most powerful moment came when Kim Smith stepped to the podium. Acknowledging
that it was unusual for a mother to speak at her son’s funeral, she called herself “truly blessed” to have
had a son like Zach.
Then, fighting through tears, she turned to her son’s young widow and said that she would be “our
daughter-in-law forever.”
“You are so loved by our entire family,” said Kim Smith. “You will always be a part of our family.”
Smith was one of three Marines killed in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He enlisted in the Marines
while still in high school and started training in the summer of 2008. He had been overseas for about
one month when he was killed.
A number of U.S. Marines were on hand at the funeral, as well as a handful of New York State
Troopers, who are colleagues of Christopher Smith. After the ceremony, families and friends gathered
at the Hornell Knights of Columbus to continue sharing their memories of the young man.
“Did you ever know someone who cared more about people than Zach Smith?” said Gene Mastin,
Smith’s high school football coach. “He didn’t even have to know you, he always wanted to help.”
Said Mastin: “On a cloudy winter day, when somehow, someplace out of nowhere, the sun comes out,
and instantly, things are brighter and warmer: that was Zach.”
SDOBBIN@DemocratandChronicle.com
Lance Cpl. Zachary D. ‘Zach’ Smith The Evening Tribune Sat Jan 30, 2010, 07:15 PM EST
Zachary Smith
Hornell, N.Y. -
Lance Cpl. Zachary D. “Zach” Smith, 19, of Hornell, died in combat Sunday (Jan. 24, 2010), while serving his country
with the United States Marine Corps in Afghanistan.
A native and life resident of Hornell, he was born April 2, 1990, and was the son of Chris and Kim (McDaniel) Smith.
Zach was a graduate of Hornell High School (Class of 2008) where he was a member of the football and golf teams.
Immediately following graduation, he followed his lifelong dream and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. On
Oct. 3, 2008, he graduated from Recruit Training in Parris Island, S.C. He completed the Marine Corps School of
Infantry and was then assigned to the 2nd Platoon C Company 1st Battalion 6th Marines, based out of Camp Lejeune,
N.C. On Dec. 17, 2009, he was deployed to Afghanistan.
He was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church. Zach was an avid golfer
and was a member of Twin Hickory Golf Club and also the Hornell Golf Club. He enjoyed watching sporting events
and especially liked to root for the New York Giants, New York Yankees and the Syracuse Orangemen.
Zach had a way of touching the lives of everyone that he met. He had a wonderful sense of humor; a contagious laugh
and the most genuine smile that God ever gave a human being. He was always ready with a good joke or a humorous
story. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends, the Hornell community and everyone that had the pleasure of
knowing him.
He was married on July 25, 2009 to the former Anne Deebs, who survives. Also surviving are his parents, Chris and
Kim Smith of Hornell; one brother, Nathaniel “Nate” Smith of Hornell; one sister, Grace Smith of Hornell; his
grandparents, Sid and Alice Smith of Hornell, and Darrell and Donna McDaniel of Hornell; his mother-in law and
father-in-law, Mike and Andrea Deebs of Hornell; his in-laws, Michael, Patrick, Mary, Brendan, Grace and Andrew
Deebs; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
The family of Lance Corporal Zachary D. “Zach” Smith will receive friends from 2-6 p.m. Monday and 2-6 p.m.
Tuesday at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m.
Wednesday at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery with full military honors.
Zach’s family graciously requests that instead of sending flowers, friends help to keep his memory alive by
contributing to the Zachary D. Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Regi Gambino, 17 Elmwood Place, Hornell, NY
14843. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.
Spec. Alan N. Dikcis
Hometown: Niagara Falls, New York, U.S.
Age: 21 years old
Died: March 5, 2010 in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Unit: Army, 630th Engineer Company (Clearance), 7th Engineer Battalion (Combat Effects),
20th Engineer Brigade (Combat) (Airborne), Fort Drum, N.Y.
Incident: Died in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his
vehicle with a makeshift bomb.
Spc. Alan N. Dikcis
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
On the Web:
Public contact:
http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=13359
http://www.defense.gov/landing/comment.aspx
Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 179-10
March 08, 2010
DOD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring
Freedom.
Spc. Alan N. Dikcis, 21, of Niagara Falls, N.Y., died March 5 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered
when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 630th Engineer
Company (Clearance), 7th Engineer Battalion (Combat Effects), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat) (Airborne), Fort
Drum, N.Y.
For more information media may contact the Fort Drum public affairs office at 315-772-7974.
Wheatfield soldier killed in Afghanistan
By Karen Robinson
NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Updated: March 07, 2010, 1:37 am /
Published: March 06, 2010, 8:55 pm
WHEATFIELD -- The Dikcis family is bearing the weight of a war.
Stanley R. Dikcis still suffers from the wounds and head trauma as the result of a roadside bomb that nearly
killed him in Afghanistan a year and a half ago.
And his younger brother, Army Spc. Alan N. Dikcis, was fatally wounded Thursday, also the casualty of a
roadside bomb in that same country.
A stepbrother, Thomas A. "Tommy" Cannuli, also in the Army, is serving in Iraq.
Stanley cried tears of despair Saturday afternoon, struggling to find the words to describe his 21-year-old
brother.
"My brother was so dedicated to the Army," said Stanley, 23, who served in the 101st Airborne Division.
"He was my best friend and he looked up to me so much. I'm still numb, trying to hold it all together. I've
seen a lot of death."
The Dikcis family, of Wheatfield, learned about the death of Alan, who was 21 and the father of a 3-year-old
daughter, on Friday afternoon. Alan had been scheduled to come home for a two-week leave in April, before
returning for a short time. His service was to end in July, though family members said he had just re-enlisted
for seven more years, planning to switch jobs to become a helicopter mechanic.
A 2006 graduate of Niagara Wheatfield High School, Alan is remembered as a loving father with a polite
disposition and "knockout" smile. He enjoyed riding his yellow and black motorcycle with friends. Everyone
knew of his endless devotion to the Army.
One of six boys in his family, Alan was based at Fort Drum, a member of the 630th Engineer Company in
the 10th Mountain Division.
Saturday, two American flags were displayed outside the family's cream-colored house on Walmore Road,
where a yellow ribbon was tied around a large tree in the front yard. Inside, relatives gathered around the
kitchen table to console one another. The family's refrigerator was covered with favorite photos of Alan, his
daughter, Sophia Brown of Niagara Falls, and his family.
"This is just going to be very, very hard," said his father, Robert S. Dikcis, in a telephone interview from
Dover, Del., while waiting for his son's body to be returned. "He will be very missed. I had a lot of plans for
us together to do things. This will be very hard. I'm kind of at a loss."
"He was a good son, and loyal to what he was doing," said his stepmother, Gricela "Gigi" Dikcis, wearing a
gray Army sweat shirt. "He was a good father to his daughter, and a good friend to all his friends, and his
father is very proud of him."
Robert said his son was looking forward to a different assignment within the Army. His job was among the
most risky -- fixing equipment that breaks down while being used to clear roadside bombs.
"He had one of the worst things to do there. It was like Russian roulette -- a mechanic and route clearance,"
the elder Dikcis said.
Stanley was forced into medical retirement after suffering numerous wounds from a roadside bomb.
The family is waiting to learn more details of Alan's death, but so far has been told that he was riding in a
vehicle near the Taliban stronghold of Marjah when it hit an improvised explosive device. He died en route
to the hospital.
Stanley suffered a traumatic brain injury and paralysis in his left leg -- requiring hospitalization and
rehabilitation for a year before returning home last July 7. Stanley had just two days to see his brother, Alan,
before Alan was deployed on July 9 to Afghanistan.
"He joined the Army because of me. He was so proud of me," said Stanley, wiping tears from his eyes,
sitting in the Gate Coffee Shop on Lockport Road with some of his brother's friends, just a short distance
from his family's home.
The last time the family heard from Alan was Thursday, when he communicated via Facebook with his
stepmother.
"He had been on his way to a mission and their equipment had been so badly damaged," Gigi Dikcis recalled
Saturday. "He was concerned they weren't ready. He knew someone would get hurt."
krobinson@buffnews.com
Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News
Spc. Alan N. Dikcis, 21, of Wheatfield, an Army mechanic, was fatally wounded by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on
Thursday.
Published: March 06, 2010 11:05 pm
AFGHANISTAN: Local soldier killed
BY NICK MATTERA
Alan N. Dikcis hoped to make a career out of the Army but the 21-year-old Wheatfield man
won’t get that chance.
The U.S. Army specialist was killed Thursday after being hit by a roadside bomb just outside
of Marjah, Afghanistan, leaving behind a 3-year-old daughter and large extended family.
Gricela Dikcis, Alan’s stepmother, said the 2006 Niagara-Wheatfield graduate was a good
friend to everyone and served our country with pride.
“Alan loved being in the Army. He was proud of his work,” Gricela said. “He made us proud,
he made his daughter proud, but you just hate to lose a son this way.”
Alan’s daughter, 3-year-old Sophia Brown, and father, Robert S. Dikcis, left Friday night for
Dover Air Force base to retrieve his body.
“Everything Alan did, he did to make Sophia proud,” Gricela said. “It is a tragedy he won’t be
here to watch her grow up.”
Alan was a specialist in the 630 Engineer Battalion and worked with machinery designed to
clear roadside bombs. He was stationed just outside of Kandahar.
Gricela said that sometime Thursday, Alan was struck by a roadside explosive and died shortly
after while being transported to a hospital in a medevac helicopter.
Alan’s hobbies included riding his motorcycle, four-wheeling, hiking and being with family and
friends.
His stepmother said he will be remembered for his knock-out smile, hard-working attitude and
service to our country. He was deployed in August 2009 for his second tour of duty and was
hoping to make a career in the armed forces.
“He wanted to make a career out of his service, that’s why he re-enlisted,” Gricela said.
Along with his father, stepmother and daughter, Alan is survived by two brothers, Robert S.
Dikcis Jr., and Stanley R. Dikcis, and three stepbrothers, Michael Cannuli, Thomas A. Cannuli
and Robert Alan Dikcis.
Pvt. 1st Class Thomas Cannuli is currently serving in Afghanistan, however, the Red Cross has
made arrangements to bring him home. Stanley Dikcis was injured last year while serving in
Iraq.
Funeral service will be provided at Colucci & Son funeral home on Military Road. Dates and
times have not been decided. Contact reporter Nick Mattera at 282-2311, ext. 2251.
James Neiss/staff photographer Wheatfield, NY - Honoring His Memory: Gricela Dikcis holds a photo of her stepson
U.S. Army Specialist Alan Nathan Dikcis, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Marjah, Afganistan on Thursday.
James Neiss/staff photographer Wheatfield, NY - Honoring His Memory: Gricela Dikcis holds a photo of her stepson U.S.
Army Specialist Alan Nathan Dikcis, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Marjah, Afganistan on Thursday. Specialist
Dikcis? friends tied ribbons around this tree outside his Wheatfield home to honor his memory.
LOCAL SOLDIER KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN
By WKBW Directors
Story Published: Mar 9, 2010 at 6:50 AM EST
Story Updated: Mar 9, 2010 at 7:00 AM EST
Wheatfield, NY ( WKBW ) "He was an amazing soldier. His sergeants loved him, anyone that worked with
him loved to work with him, he was funny but he got the job done," Gricela Dikcis told Eyewitness News
about her stepson Army Specialist Alan Nathan Dikcis.
The Fort Drum Office Of Public Affairs issued this release:
7th Engineer Battalion Soldier killed in Afghanistan
FORT DRUM, NY - A 7th Engineer Battalion Soldier was killed in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Friday, March 5,
when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle.The Fort Drum Soldier killed is Spc. Alan N. Dikcis,
21, of Niagara Falls, NY. Spc. Dikcis served as a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 630th Engineer
Company (Clearance), 7th Engineer Battalion (Combat Effects), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat)
(Airborne). He deployed in July 2009 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This was Dikcis' first
deployment.
Spc. Dikcis joined the Army in June 2007 and arrived to Fort Drum in January 2008.
Spc. Dikcis is survived by his daughter and father. Spc. Dikcis' awards and decorations include the Purple
Heart, Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and NATO
Medal.
21-year old Dikcis was killed in Afghanistan when the vehicle he was in was blown up by an improvised
explosive device. "They were out on a mission, Alan was in the vehicle, I don't know how many people were
with him, how many other soldiers were with him and it was blown up by an IED. He was pronounced dead
en route by Medivac on the way to the hospital," Dikcis said. Dikcis says her stepson loved his job so much
he decided to re-enlisted after serving three years. He had dreams of becoming a helicopter mechanic.
Dikcis says she was talked to Alan just before the mission. She says he expressed concern for their safety.
"He was saying that he had to go because they just informed him that he was gonna be going out again and
he didn't understand why because they weren't prepared and he knew somebody was gonna get hurt," said
Dikcis. An Army official told her Alan had been killed.
Dikcis says Alan loved his family, friends, the beach and riding his motorcycle with his buddies. But most of
all he loved his three-year old daughter Sofia. "He had a little black car that he'd drive around in. He liked
taking his daughter to the park," said Dikcis.
Dikcis and her husband Robert have six children. Three of their son's joined in the military, including Alan's
step brothers Thomas and Randolph. With three sons in the military they always knew that something like
this was possible but they never thought it would happen to their family.
Now as the family prepares to bring Alan home, she tries to find solace in knowing he died doing what he
loved. "He died for his country he was very proud of what he was doing. He believed in what he was doing,
he was just the same as any other kid, father, son, daughter that's in the service. They're doing it for a
reason so we can be free," said Dikcis.
Dikcis says her husband is in Dover, Delaware to his son's body when it arrives late Saturday night. Army
Specialist Alan Nathan Dikcis' body will then be flown to Western New York. Dikcis was a 2006 graduate of
Niagara Wheatfield High School.
http://www.wkbw.com/news/local/86729137.html?video=YHI&t=a
Spc. Alan N. Dikcis, victim of Afghanistan roadside bomb
Updated: March 10, 2010, 6:58 am /
Published: March 10, 2010, 12:30 am
July 20, 1988—March 5, 2010
WHEATFIELD —A Mass of Christian Burial for Army Spc. Alan N. Dikcis, of Wheatfield, will be offered
at noon Saturday in St. Vincent de Paul Parish at St. Leo Catholic Church, 2748 Military Road, Niagara
Falls.
Spc. Dikcis, a vehicle mechanic with the 630th Engineer Company, 7th Engineer Battalion, died Friday in an
explosion of a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. He was 21.
Born in Amherst, he was a 2006 graduate of Niagara Wheatfield High School.
Spc. Dikcis was scheduled to come home for a two-week leave next month, and his service was to end in
July. But family members said he had just signed up for seven more years, with plans to become a helicopter
mechanic. He received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, working on cars and going to the beach.
Surviving are a daughter, Sophia Marieana Brown, and her mother, Nikki Brown; his father, Robert S. Sr.,
and stepmother, Gricela “Gigi”; three brothers, Robert S. Jr., Stanley R. and Robert A.; and two stepbrothers,
Army Pfc. Thomas A. Cannuli and Randolph M. Cannuli.
SPC Alan N. DIKCIS
DIKCIS - SPC Alan N. Age 21, of Wheatfield, NY; died while serving his Country on
March 5, 2010 in Marjah, Afghanistan. Son of Robert S. Dikcis, Sr. of Wheatfield, late
Linda Bryant; step-son of Gricela "Gigi" Dikcis of Wheatfield; father of Sophia
Marieana Brown; brother of Robert S. (Trisha) Dikcis Jr., Stanley R. Dikcis and Robert
A. Dikcis; step-brother of PFC Thomas A. Cannuli, USA and Randolph M. Cannuli;
also survived by Sophia's mother, Nikki Brown. Visitation will be on Thursday 6-8 PM
and Friday 3-5 and 7-9 PM at M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL
CHAPEL, 2730 Military Rd., Niagara Falls, NY. Funeral services will be at 12:00 Noon on Saturday at St.
Vincent De Paul Parish at St. Leo's Church, 2748 Military Rd., Niagara Falls, NY. EVERYONE
ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Private interment in White Chapel Memorial Park with full Military Honors.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations to the Sophia Brown Trust Fund at any branch of First Niagara
Bank. Please visit www.mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com
SPC Alan N. Dikcis, USA
(Died March 5, 2010)
SPC Alan N. Dikcis, USA, 21, of Wheatfield, NY, died while serving his
Country on Friday March 5, 2010 in Marjah, Afghanistan. Born July 20,
1988 in Amherst, NY, he was the son of Robert S. Dikcis, Sr. of Wheatfield, NY
and the late Linda Bryant, and step-son of Gricela “Gigi” Dikcis of Wheatfield,
NY.
Alan was raised in Wheatfield, NY and a 2006 graduate of Niagara Wheatfield
High School. He was currently serving in the United States Army in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom, as a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 630th
Engineer Company, 7th Engineer Battalion stationed in Afghanistan. Alan was a
devoted son, father, brother and friend. He lived his life to the fullest. He loved
spending time with his friends, riding his motorcycle, going to the beach and
working on cars. Above of all, Alan loved his daughter, Sophia, and worked
hard to make his father and family proud. Alan’s Military decorations include
the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal,
and NATO Medal.
In addition to his parents, Alan is survived by his daughter Sophia Marieana Brown, Sophia’s mother
Nikki Brown, three brothers, Robert S. (Trisha) Dikcis Jr., Stanley R. Dikcis and Robert A. Dikcis, two
step-brothers, PFC Thomas A. Cannuli, USA and Randolph M. Cannuli.
Friends may call on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. and Friday from 3 – 5 and 7 – 9 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI
& SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY. Family and friends are
invited to attend funeral services at 12:00 Noon on Saturday March 13th at St. Vincent De Paul Parish
at St. Leo’s Church, 2748 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Robert Hughson officiating.
EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Private interment will be held in White Chapel Memorial
Park, Amherst, NY with full Military Honors. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations in memory of
Alan may be made to the Sophia Brown Trust Fund at any branch of First Niagara Bank.
(Died March 5, 2010)
SPC Alan N. Dikcis, USA
U.S. Veteran SPC Alan N. Dikcis, USA, 21, of Wheatfield, NY, died while serving his Country on Friday
March 5, 2010 in Marjah, Afghanistan. Born July 20, 1988 in Amherst, NY, he was the son of the Robert S.
Dikcis, Sr. of Wheatfield, NY and the late Linda Bryant, and step-son of Gricela “Gigi” Dikcis of
Wheatfield, NY.
Alan was raised in Wheatfield, NY and 2006 graduate of Niagara Wheatfield High School. He was currently
serving in the United States Army in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, as a wheeled vehicle
mechanic with the 630th Engineer Company, 7th Engineer Battalion stationed in Afghanistan. Alan was a
devoted son, father, brother and friend. He lived his life to the fullest. He loved spending time with his
friends, riding his motorcycle, going to the beach and working on cars. Above of all, Alan loved his
daughter, Sophia, and worked hard to make his father and family proud. Alan’s Military decorations include
the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and
NATO Medal.
In addition to his parents, Alan is survived by his daughter Sophia Marieana Brown, Sophia’s mother Nikki
Brown, three brothers, Robert S. (Trisha) Dikcis Jr., Stanley R. Dikcis and Robert A. Dikcis, two stepbrothers, PFC Thomas A. Cannuli, USA and Randolph M. Cannuli.
Friends may call on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. and Friday from 3 – 5 and 7 – 9 p.m. at the M.J. COLUCCI &
SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY. Family and
friends are invited to attend funeral services at 12:00 Noon on Saturday March 13th at St. Vincent De Paul
Parish at St. Leo’s Church, 2748 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Robert Hughson officiating.
Private interment will be held in White Chapel Memorial Park, Amherst, NY with full Military Honors.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations in memory of Alan may be made to the Sophia Brown Trust Fund
at any branch of First Niagara Bank.
Pfc. Jason M. Kropat
Hometown: White Lake, New York, U.S.
Age: 25 years old
Died: March 9, 2010 in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Unit: Army, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team,
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Incident: Died in Khowst province, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when
insurgents attacked their unit using small-arms, indirect and rocket-propelled
grenade fires.
Pfc. Jason M. Kropat, 25, of White Lake, N.Y.
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
On the Web:
Public contact:
http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=13369
http://www.defense.gov/landing/comment.aspx
Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 195-10
March 11, 2010
DOD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation
Enduring Freedom. They died March 9 in Khowst province, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when insurgents
attacked their unit using small-arms, indirect and rocket-propelled grenade fires. They were assigned to the 1st
Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell,
Ky.
Killed were:
Sgt. Jonathan J. Richardson, 24, of Bald Knob, Ark.
Pfc. Jason M. Kropat, 25, of White Lake, N.Y.
For more information media may contact the Fort Campbell public affairs office at 270- 798-3025 or at
http://www.campbell.army.mil/eaglehonors/Pages/EagleHonorsHome.aspx.
Two 101st Airborne Soldiers killed in Khowst Province Afghanistan
March 11, 2010 |
Fort Campbell, KY – Two 101st Airborne Division Soldiers died Tuesday from wounds
suffered when their unit came under small arms, rocket and indirect fire in Khowst Province, Afghanistan.
Killed were: Sgt. Jonathan J. Richardson, 24, of Bald Knob, Ark.; and Pfc. Jason M. Kropat, 25, of White
Lake, N.Y. Both were assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat
Team.
Sgt. Jonathan J. Richardson
Sgt. Jonathan J. Richardson
Richardson was a fire support specialist who joined the Army in June 2006 and arrived at Fort Campbell in
January 2007. His awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; Army Good Conduct
Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal;
Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Ribbon; and
Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.
Richardson is survived by his wife, Rachel Richardson, of Clarksville, Tenn.; mother Sharon Dunigan, of
Bridgeport, W.V.; and father, Jeffery Richardson, of Germany.
Pfc. Jason M. Kropat
Pfc. Jason M. Kropat
Kropat was an infantryman who joined the Army in November 2008 and arrived at Fort Campbell in March
2009. His awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal;
National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal;
Army Service Ribbon; and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.
Kropat is survived by his parents, Kathleen and Glenn Kropat, of Fredericksburg, Texas.
A memorial service for the fallen Soldiers will be held in Afghanistan.
2 Campbell soldiers killed in Afghanistan
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Mar 11, 2010 17:48:35 EST
2 Campbell soldie
You have been s
http://w w w .army
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — Two Fort Campbell soldiers were killed during an attack in eastern Afghanistan
on Tuesday, according to the military.
The Department of Defense said in a news release Thursday that Sgt. Jonathan J. Richardson, 24, of Bald
Knob, Ark., and Pfc. Jason M. Kropat, 25, of White Lake, N.Y., were killed Tuesday. They are both assigned
to C Company, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing inside the U.S.-Afghan base in Khost that
killed two and wounded a number of others.
Richardson was a fire support specialist who joined the Army in June 2006 and came to Fort Campbell in
January 2007. He is survived by his wife, Rachel Richardson, of Clarksville, Tenn.; mother, Sharon
Dunigan, of Bridgeport, W.V.; and father, Jeffery Richardson, of Germany.
Kropat was an infantryman who joined the Army in November 2008 and arrived at Fort Campbell in March
2009. Kropat is survived by his parents, Kathleen and Glenn Kropat of Fredericksburg, Texas.
His girlfriend, Shannon Kinne of White Lake, said Kropat was “the all-American Boy Scout.” She told the
Middletown Times Herald-Record that Kropat joined the Army to make a stable life for the couple as well as
to prove to himself he could do it.
Kropat grew up in Sullivan County with his three sisters. His sister, Kristina, said he loved the outdoors and
was an avid fisherman
Jason Michael Kropat
Smallwood, NY
Our Son, Brother, and Protector, PFC, Jason Michael Kropat died in Afghanistan on March 9, 2010, serving
his country, he was 25.
Born on April 10, 1984, he touched many lives and had many friends. We thank God for giving him to us,
even if it was for a short time. Jason was born and raised in Sullivan County. He attended the Monticello
High School, was very active in our community. Jason made the decision to protect our nation and
enlisted in the United States Army in November of 2008 and completed basic training at Fort Benning in
Georgia on March 6, 2009. He will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts and minds.
Jason was the loving son of Glenn and Kathleen Kropat of Fredericksburg, TX; loving brother to Kristina of
Cochecton, Kimberley of Monticello, and Courtney also of Cochecton; loving uncle to Evin John, RJ, &
Kyle; the grandson of Janet Kropat and the late Hans (Gary) Kropat and the late Eugene and Jeanne
Baier; and beloved boyfriend of Shannon Kinne. He is also survived by his 17 aunts and uncles, as well as
18 cousins.
Jason's family will receive friends on Thursday, March 18, from 2-9 p.m. at the VanInwegen-Kenny
Funeral Home, 401 Broadway, Monticello, NY 12701. The funeral for our fallen hero will be held on
Friday, March 19, at 12 p.m. at the Reformed Presbyterian Church on State Route 17B in White Lake,
with Reverend David Coon officiating. Burial will follow with military honors in the Evergreen Cemetery in
Bethel.
A scholarship in Jason's name will be established in the very near future, in the interim, donations or
correspondence for such may be made to PO Box 464, Smallwood, NY 12778.
Arrangements by VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home of Monticello; www.kennyfuneralhome.com or 845794-4141.
Friday, March 26, 2010
R.I.P. Pfc. Jason M. Kropat
Army Pfc. Jason M. Kropat
Died March 09, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
25, of White Lake, N.Y.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team,
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died March 9 in Khowst province, Afghanistan,
from wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small-arms, indirect and rocket-propelled
grenade fires. Also killed was Sgt. Jonathan J. Richardson.
(The following was taken from www.recordonline.com of March 20, 2010) BETHEL — Army Pfc. Jason M.
Kropat was buried on Friday in Sullivan County. A military honor guard and his family followed on foot
behind the hearse carrying his flag-draped coffin.
The procession passed White Lake, where Kropat loved to fish as a boy.
The tapping of a military guard's shoes and the jingling of the medals on their breasts could be heard clearly
as it passed.
The procession moved along Route 17B for nearly two miles, stopping only briefly before a giant American
flag draped from two ladder trucks.
Kropat's parents and the rest of his family got out of a stretch limousine and walked the rest of the way to his
gravesite.
At his funeral beforehand, which was broadcast from loudspeakers outside the Reformed Presbyterian
Church, Kropat was described as mischievous, funny, quiet and brave.
The military has released few details of his death.
Kropat, 25, was a machine gunner with the 101st Airborne Division who was killed on March 9 by small
arms fire, the first soldier from Sullivan County to be killed in Afghanistan.
Brig. Gen. Warren Phipps Jr. presented the family with Kropat's Bronze Star, a Purple Heart and several
other commendations for valor.
Kropat was described as a regular Sullivan County kid who fished, hunted and roared around on fourwheelers before he left White Lake. He hung out at the lake and sneaked cigarettes.
After graduating from Monticello High School, he worked a little as a carpenter and roofer.
Kropat got into a bit of trouble as a young man.
In 2008, he decided that he wanted to join up, and this changed him, his father, Glenn Kropat, said in
church.
He went from being the kid who burned down an apple tree, ran around all hours of the night, never did
anything easy in life, to "the battle buddy that everyone wanted," as one of his fellow soldiers described him
during tributes.
"I don't have words to describe how happy I am to call him my son," the father said, choking up as he said, "I
love you" for the last time to his son. The family held a second, private service in Evergreen Cemetery. Brian
Bunce, a contractor who hired Jason Kropat before he left for the Army, came to the funeral with his trained
falcon. Kropat would stop by his house and always ask to see the bird.
Kropat's nickname was "Nighthawk." Bunce was asked to release the bird over his grave. The family was
sure that Jason would like that.
Pfc. Jason M. Kropat
f4dedfbf5e85e3d
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25, of White Lake, N.Y. He died March 9 in Khowst province, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when
insurgents attacked their unit. "He loved life," his mother said. "He loved his family. He loved his country."
"He really believed in what he was fighting for," his sister said. "He will be missed. He will be sorely
missed."
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Army Pfc. Jason M. Kropat
Remember Our Heroes
Army Pfc. Jason M. Kropat, 25, of White Lake, N.Y.
Pfc. Kropat was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st
Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died March 9, 2010 in Khowst province, Afghanistan,
from wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small-arms, indirect and rocket-propelled
grenade fires. Also killed was Sgt. Jonathan J. Richardson.
A soldier from Sullivan County died in Afghanistan on Tuesday after serving there for about two months,
according to reports given to family members by Army officials.
Kropat's mother, Kathleen Kropat, was told in a telephone call to her home in Fredericksburg, Texas,
shortly before 6 a.m. Wednesday that her son was killed. His father, Glenn Kropat, was also notified. His
parents are separated, but live in the same Texas town. Jason had just visited them at Christmas.
"He loved life," Kathleen Kropat said. "He loved his family. He loved his country."
"He was the all-American Boy Scout," said his girlfriend of four years, Shannon Kinne of White Lake.
Kinne, 20, said one of his favorite pastimes was to gaze at the stars through a telescope.
Kinne and Kropat had talked extensively about his decision to join the Army. "He told people it was for
me, so that we'd have a stable life," Kinne said. But later, Kinne said, Kropat told her he wanted to prove
to himself that he could do it. "He was very homesick (in Afghanistan)," she said. Kropat joined the Army
in October 2008 and deployed to Afghanistan on Jan. 3, friends say.
Kropat lived most of his life in Smallwood with his three sisters — Kristina, 28, Kimberly, 23, and
Courtney, 19. He grew up in Sullivan County and attended Monticello High School.
He loved the outdoors, Kristina Kropat said. Her brother loved to fish and there is a picture of him in the
Times Herald-Record from 2008, when he caught a 22-inch trout.
"He really believed in what he was fighting for," Kimberly Kropat said. "He will be missed. He will be
sorely missed." Kimberly Kropat said she will be making the funeral arrangements. She plans to have the
service in Bethel. And she said she's looking into starting a scholarship in her brother's name.
Kinne had sent Kropat a birthday package only days ago. She wanted it to arrive in Afghanistan before
what would have been his 26th birthday — April 10.
First Lt. John Limauro, the company’s executive officer, said Kropat was “an excellent soldier in every
capacity,” and was the first to cheer up his fellow soldiers. “Jason was always quick with a joke when
everyone was down and the situation was undesirable,” Limauro said.
Limauro said Kropat, who came to Fort Campbell in March 2009, was also proactive in his efforts to
spread the cheer. “Jason was the battle buddy that everyone wanted,” Limauro said. “His ability to see
his comrades down without words would allow him to cheer anyone up no matter the time of day.”
His awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; National
Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army
Service Ribbon; and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.
Army Pfc. Jason M. Kropat was killed in action on 3/9/10.
Frank Rizzo | Democrat
Jason Kropat’s coffin begins its final
journey to Bethel’s Evergreen Cemetery as
his funeral ends on Friday.
Pfc. Jason Kropat laid to rest
By Frank Rizzo
WHITE LAKE — March 23, 2010 — Tears and yes, even laughter were in no short supply as the latest Sullivan
County soldier to fall in battle was laid to rest. A powerful “Service of Witness to the Resurrection of Jason Michael
Kropat” gave family and friends a chance to hail the 101st Airborne private first class, killed March 9 in Afghanistan.
The service was held Friday at the Reformed Presbyterian Church of White Lake, presided over by the Rev. David
Coon.
Fittingly, it took place across the road from the body of water beloved to Kropat, 25. Speakers told of a mischievous
boy with a proclivity for getting into trouble, of someone who had found “a brotherhood” in the Army, and of the
“horrible knock on the door” on a Wednesday morning that changed their lives profoundly – and forever. Glenn
Kropat said he saw a transformation in his son after Jason joined the services back in October, 2008.
“I know he would have wanted to come home in a different way… but he made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,”
the elder Kropat noted. ‘“I’m so proud of the United States Army and the cause he gave his life for.”
“I’m so proud of you, Jason… I love you, son,” Kropat said. Sheriff Office Detective Sgt. Don Starner, whose son
Joseph is in his fourth tour of duty in Iraq, had Kropat as a DARE student at nearby Duggan Elementary School. “I
was one of those guys who had to chase him around,” Starner said to chuckles.
The last time he saw Kropat, the younger man gave thought to joining the armed services, and Starner was
encouraging. “I’m honored to be asked to speak here,” Starner said. “Jason, I salute you.”
“Good night, sweetheart, catch some trout for us up there,” cried special friend Shannon Kinne, alluding to his love of
fishing. “Every day this past week has been a test of strength from God… they have been difficult days for all of us,”
said Kinne. “As Jason would always say, ‘Be strong.’ Baby, you’re the strongest person I know.”
Kimberley Kropat of Monticello echoed her father’s gratitude at the number of friends Jason had, and “the love and
support you’ve given us.” “On March 9, 2010, a real genuine heart of gold stopped beating,” Kimberly said, and added
that ‘This isn’t a ‘goodbye’ to Jason, but a ‘See you later.’”
After poring through “hundreds of poems” to come up with commensurate sentiments, she chose “I Want You To
Know” by Jonathan Tiong:
…
I know that you miss me,
but please dry your eyes.
I will always be watching and loving you
from my home in the sky.
A cool breeze on your face,
a touch of light rain,
I will send as a reminder
that we will be reunited again.
Life on earth is but one
brief moment in time,
I am finally home,
Eternity is mine.
Brigadier General Warren E. Phipps Jr. presented the medals and awards to Kropat’s family and relayed sentiments
from Jason’s fellow soldiers. “He lived every word of the soldier’s creed.”
“Always quick with a joke. The battle buddy that everybody wanted.” “Literally did everything for everyone else.”
“Always realized that Kropat had my back… and I miss him.” “Amazing Grace” was sung, the “Soldier’s Creed” was
recited and Kropat’s flag-draped coffin was carried out of the church to the waiting hearse. The two-mile journey to
Bethel Evergreen Cemetery ensued, and burial with military honors, as Pfc. Kropat finally went home.
Suicide Bomber Claims Local Residents’ Son
Mar 17, 2010 - 15:16:56 CDT.
Two Fredericksburg parents are mourning the loss this week of their son who
was killed March 9 by enemy fire in Afghanistan.
U.S. Army PFC Jason Kropat, 25, died while trying to protect his sergeant and
friend, Sgt. Jonathan J. Richardson, 24, from an insurgent suicide bomber,
according to his mother, Kathleen Kropat.
“Jay sacrificed his life to save his sergeant -- and the best friend he made in the
Army -- from a suicide bomber. He died a hero,” she said yesterday, adding
that, unfortunately, both perished in the attack in Afghanistan’s Khost province.
He lived by the Army motto of not accepting failure and he died doing
something that he completely believed in, Ms. Kropat said by phone from New
York where she and her ex-husband, Glenn, have joined their three daughters
to make funeral arrangements. (See related story.)
Kropat was born April 10, 1984, in Uniondale, NY, and, aside from his military
service, lived in Smallwood, NY, near his three sisters: Kristina Kropat and
Courtney Kropat both of Cochecton and Kimberley Kropat of Monticello.
Although he went to Monticello High School in New York, he attended
Fredericksburg Middle School for a half-year in 1999, his father said.
PFC Jason Michael
Kropat
As an adult, he visited his parents here several times, most recently in December.
“He absolutely loved it there,” Kropat said, adding that his son was looking forward to coming back to
Gillespie County for a longer visit.
Pfc. Jason M. Kropat
March 11th, 2010
Born April 10, 1984 in Sullivan Co. NY
Died March 9, 2010 in Afghanistan
Jason Kropat grew up in Smallwood, New York, and was an active outdoorsman. He loved to hunt and fish, one time
catching a 22″ trout, which earned him a photograph in the local paper. Spending a lot of his time outdoors with his
friends, Jason was an avid ATV rider. When he first rode a new one he bought, it flipped. The first words out of his
mouth were, “Aw geez that sucks.” He built a trailer to haul the ATV and camping equipment a couple of miles into
the woods. The first trip he made, the trailer broke apart less than halfway to his destination. Jason was a prankster
from an early age, from the time he and a friend were jumping into puddles to break the ice on top, only to find he
broke through an uncapped septic tank in the final try, to sneaking cigarettes, burning down trees and getting into
other assorted mishaps. After high school, Jason gave roofing and carpentry a try until November 2008 when he
enlisted in the Army, because besides his family and friends, his country meant the world to him. He was assigned to
Fort Campbell in March of 2009 and in January of 2010 he deployed as an infantryman with the 1st Battalion, 187th
Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
He had made time before he left to visit his parent’s homes in Texas. Jason was killed along with Sgt. Jonathan J.
Richardson on March 9 when insurgents attacked their unit using small arms, indirect and rocket-propelled grenade
fires. His awards and decorations include: the Army Commendation Medal; an Army Good Conduct Medal; National
Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon;
and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Jason is
survived by his parents, Glenn and Kathleen of Texas and three sisters. Jason went from being a kid who never did
anything easy in life, running around until all hours of the night into a soldier that other soldiers wanted for their
battle buddy. Loyal to his friends, they were loyal back to him.
Burial: Evergreen Cemetery in Bethel, New York
Sgt. Frank J. A. World
Hometown:Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Age:25 years old
Died:April 1, 2010 in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Unit:Marines, 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine
Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Incident: Died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province,
Afghanistan.
DOD Identifies Marine Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting
Operation Enduring Freedom.
The following Marines died April 1 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province,
Afghanistan:
Lance Cpl. Tyler O. Griffin, 19, of Voluntown, Conn.
Sgt. Frank J. World, 25, of Buffalo, N.Y.
Griffin was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
World was assigned to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Lejeune Marines killed in Afghanistan
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
CAMP LEJEUNE (WTVD) -- Military officials announced Tuesday that two Camp Lejeune Marines have
been killed fighting in Afghanistan.
Lance Cpl. Tyler O. Griffin, 19, of Voluntown, Conn., and Sgt. Frank J. World, 25, of Buffalo, N.Y., died
April 1.
Griffin was a rifleman assigned to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 7, Marine
Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan. He joined the Marine Corps in August 2008 and was promoted to the
rank of lance corporal on October 1, 2009.
World was a scout team leader assigned to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine
Division and was temporarily serving with 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine
Division. He joined the Marine Corps in December 2003 and was promoted to the rank of sergeant on June
1, 2009.
He is survived by his wife and son.
Marine Sgt. Frank J.A. World joined the Marines in 2003 soon after graduating from Riverside Institute of Technology.
Marine from Buffalo killed by explosive in Afghanistan
By Lou Michel
News Staff Reporter
The 2-month-old daughter of Marine Sgt. Frank J.A. World was born on Jan. 6 — barely two weeks after he
deployed to Afghanistan.
When Lilly is old enough, her mother, Beth, plans to tell her that it was her father who came up with her
nickname, "Lilly-Bear," while he was in Afghanistan, where he was killed Thursday by an improvised
explosive device.
"I never got the chance to ask him how he came up with the name. I just said, "Oh, that's so cute.' The last
time we spoke on St. Patrick's Day, he told me that when he came home, he was going to give Lilly a big
kiss and that he already had a nickname for her, Lilly-Bear," said Beth World, 24, who says her 25-year-old
husband died doing what he loved — serving his country as a Marine.
World, a Riverside resident who was raised on the West Side, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2003 after
graduating from Riverside Institute of Technology.
From early boyhood, he seemed destined to become a Marine, according to his mother, Susan WorldMissana.
"His father was a Marine, his uncle was a Marine, and he just had it in his head since he was little that when
he grew up, he was going to go into the Marines," said World-Missana, who noted her son also was deployed
to Iraq in 2004 and 2008.
While he had not been physically wounded in Iraq, his wife said, the war had left him mentally scarred.
"He didn't like to talk about it, but when he did, I basically listened to whatever he had to get off his chest. I
know he had post-traumatic stress. He said he would have nightmares of being out there, what they had to do
to survive," Beth World said.
Despite that, she and other family members said he displayed no hesitation or lack of enthusiasm when it
came to fulfilling his military missions.
On his final mission Thursday morning, World was traveling in a light armored vehicle in Marjah, the site of
a major offensive more than a month ago by Marines seeking to wrench the region from Taliban control.
"We were informed by a couple of Marine Corps officers during the dinner hour Thursday that during a
combat mission in Marjah his light armored vehicle was hit with an IED," said Larry World, his older
brother and a Buffalo firefighter, who added that it was not disclosed whether other Marines were harmed in
the attack.
A member of LAR Alpha Company, 2nd Marine Division, the sergeant served as an infantryman on all three
of his deployments and was in the sixth year of an eight-year commitment to the Corps.
When he returned home from his first eight-month tour in Iraq, he met his wife to be, the former Beth
Zielinski of South Buffalo, at a party and, she said, they immediately knew they were meant for each other.
By 2006, they married and had their first child, Jacob, 3. They lived in base housing at Camp Lejeune, N.C.,
but decided that she and Jacob should return home to Buffalo to be close to family with the impending birth
of their second child while he was in Afghanistan.
And even though he was thousands of miles away from the daughter he would never meet, Beth World said
she made it her business to introduce their baby girl to her father every single day.
One of the most recent photographs of her and her husband hangs in the living room of her South Buffalo
apartment.
"It's a big picture of Frank and me from when I was eight months pregnant and we went to the Marine Corps
ball. He was wearing his dress blues and I had a beautiful blue dress on. Every day I walk up to it with Lilly
and she stares at it.
"It's really strange, but I think she knows that's her daddy. There are other pictures in the house, but that's the
only one she stares at," Beth World said.
She says she can feel her husband's spirit protecting her and the children.
Her brother-in-law says he, too, is certain of that.
"My brother was solid in his faith and firm in his beliefs, so there is no doubt that he is our angel up above
watching down on us," Larry World said.
For now, though, Beth World is left with the memory of her final phone call with her husband on March 17.
"We talked about how he couldn't wait to come home and meet his daughter," she said.
Today, she and other family members will fly to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to escort Sgt. World's
remains back to Buffalo.
But Beth World says she knows that she will again see her beloved husband, beyond mortal bounds.
And that the reunion will be a happy one.
And when it comes, she says she plans to ask him how he came up with the nickname "Lilly- Bear."
lmichel@buffnews.com
http://video.buffalonews.com/player/?id=844
Sgt. Frank J. A. World, Marine who was killed in Afghanistan
Updated: April 09, 2010, 6:45 am /
Published: April 09, 2010, 12:30 am
April 13, 1984—April 1, 2010
When the remains of Marine Sgt. Frank J. A. World return home today, it will be with full honors.
The plane bearing Sgt. World, who was killed a week ago in Afghanistan, is scheduled to land at noon at
Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, and then his flag-draped coffin will be escorted by state police and a
Buffalo Fire Department truck to Amigone Funeral Home, 2600 Sheridan Drive, Town of Tonawanda.
His older brother, Larry, is a Buffalo firefighter.
An honor guard will be on hand at the funeral home, where a wake is set from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p. m.
Saturday and Sunday.
Services will be at 10 a. m. Monday in the funeral home, followed by a procession to Forest Lawn, where the
25-year-old serviceman will be laid to rest.
“I’m happy that my hero is finally going to be home. The support from everybody has been unbelievable,
and I’m glad my husband is getting the recognition he deserves,” Beth World said.
Sgt. World was killed last week by an improvised explosive device while he was traveling in a light-armored
vehicle in Marjah, the site of a major offensive by Marines against the Taliban more than a month ago.
In addition to being a member of the Marine Corps, which he joined after graduating from Riverside Institute
of Technology in 2003, he had achieved a black belt in tae kwon do, learned how to play the guitar on his
own and enjoyed rock climbing, writing poetry and songs, and pencil drawing.
In the Marines, he was awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the National Defense
Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Surviving, in addition to Sgt. World’s wife, the former Beth Zielinski, and brother, are a 3- year-old son,
Jacob; a 3-month-old daughter, Lilly; his mother, Susan World-Missana; and a sister, Candy Rodriguez.
—Lou Michel
Sgt. Frank J.A. World
WORLD - SGT. Frank J.A. April 1, 2010, age 25. Tragically lost his life serving
overseas in Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom. Beloved husband of Beth M.
(nee Zielinski) World; loving father of Jacob J.C. and Lilly M.J. World; adored son of
Susan (nee Brown) World-Missana and the late Cruz World; caring brother of Larry J.
(Gina) World and Candy C. (Eric) Rodriguez; cherished grandson of Frances (nee
Garcia) and the late Frank Thomas; dear uncle of Kaila, Cecily, Adria, Francisco and
Alero; special son-in-law of David A. and Theresa (nee Markoff) Zielinski; dear
brother-in-law of Sarah A. Zielinski; also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friend of many. The
family will be present on Saturday and Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the (Tonawanda Chapel) AMIGONE
FUNERAL HOME INC., 2600 Sheridan Drive (corner of Parker Blvd) where Funeral Services will be held
on Monday at 10 AM. Pastor Rick English officiating. Friends invited. In lieu of flowers, donations may be
made to the Beth M. World, "Daddy's Little Angels Fund," C/O Bank of America, 3588 Delaware Avenue,
Kenmore, NY 14217. Military Honors will take place at Forest Lawn Cemetery following the Funeral
Service. Share your condolences at www.AMIGONE.com.
April 09, 2010
To My Angel Frank. It was so good to see you today! Thank you baby for giving me the
courage and strength that I needed! Thanks for telling me about the stach... (hehe) u knew I would get mad
if you told me you were growing one. I am so glad I got to give you a final kiss baby. I will make sure that
our babies always know about their daddy and what he did for this country. I Love you Frank and will always
love you. You were'nt suppose to go like this....remember we were suppose to go together holding
eachothers hands. That's all I know is that God must have really needed some major help up there and
knew that you were the guy to get the job done. I LOVE YOU MY HERO.
LOVE YOUR WIFE
BETH M WORLD
PROUD MARINE WIFE <3
Beth WORLD,
Bufffalo, New York
April 9, 2010
Fallen marine's body arrives in Western New York
The casket carrying the remains of Marine Sgt. Frank J.A. World is moved from the plane after
reaching the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. (Harry Scull Jr. / Buffalo News)
TOWN OF NIAGARA -- Family, friends and fellow soldiers greeted the body of Sgt. Frank J. A. World
when it arrived by a private charter jet at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station today.
Led by a police escort, the hearse carrying World's body is on its way to Amigone Funeral Home on
Sheridan Drive in the Town of Tonawanda.
World was killed April 1 in Afghanistan when the light-armored vehicle he was traveling in struck an
improvised explosive device. World, who was 25, was raised on Buffalo's West Side.
7:30 p.m.: Watch video of the jet arriving and interviews with people present:
http://celebrifi.com/gossip/Marine-from-Buffalo-killed-by-explosive-in-Afghanistan2102835.html
12:50 p.m.: Members of the Patriot Guard Riders of New York were also on hand to lead the
procession to the funeral parlor.
12:41 p.m.: Here's World's full obituary. Here's Staff Reporter Lou Michel's report on World's death.
Beth World, second from left, is escorted by family as the body of her husband arrived at the Niagara
Falls Air Reserve Station. (Harry Scull Jr. / Buffalo News)
--Aaron Besecker
HONORING A HOMETOWN HERO
By WKBW Programming
Story Published: Apr 9, 2010 at 12:00 PM EDT
Story Updated: Apr 9, 2010 at 5:27 PM EDT
By WKBW Programming
Story Published: Apr 9, 2010 at 12:00 PM EDT
Story Updated: Apr 9, 2010 at 5:27 PM EDT
NIAGARA FALLS, NY (WKBW) -- The body of Marine Sgt. Frank J.A. World arrived at the Niagara
Falls Airbase Friday. World's casket was met by his wife, children, family, friends and veterans before
being taken to Amigone Funeral Home , 2600 Sheridan Drive in the Town of Tonawanda.
An honor guard will stand by World's casket during the wake set for this weekend. Calling hours are 24 and 7-9p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Services will be at 10a.m. Monday at Amigone, followed by a ceremony at Forest Lawn.
Sgt. Frank World was killed when an improvised explosive device exploded in Afghanistan
last week.
The serviceman leaves behind his wife Beth, 3 year old son Jacob, 3 month old daughter Lilly, mother
Susan World-Missana, a sister Candy Rodriguez, and brother Larry.
Eyewitness News will respectfully cover the services following the wishes of the family.
http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=75763&catid=13
Buffalo Marine Sgt. Frank World Killed in Afghanistan
NIAGARA FALLS, NY - As family looked on, a military honor guard accepted the body of U.S. Marine Corps
Sgt. Frank World at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station on Friday.
World, of Buffalo, was killed April 1st in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. The 25-year-old Marine Sergeant
was on his third tour of duty overseas, according to his brother.
Calling hours are Saturday, April 10 and Sunday April 11 from 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm at the Amigone
Funeral Home at 2600 Sheridan Drive in the Town of Tonawanda.
Sgt. World will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo on Monday, April 12 following a 10am
service at the funeral home.
World's family says his armored vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb around 5 a.m. Afghanistan time
while he was on patrol for drug traffickers. His wife tells 2 On Your Side her husband was a member of the
2nd Marine Division LAR (light armored reconnaissance) Alpha Company based out of Camp Lejeune in
North Carolina
World left for Afghanistan back in December. He previously served two tours in Iraq. He had served in the
Marines for six years and was scheduled to come home in May.
World was a graduate of Riverside Institute of Technology. He leaves behind a wife, three year old son and
a two month old daughter who he was never able to meet.
A fund has been set up for the family. Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at any Bank of
America branch c/o Beth World: Daddies Little Angels.
If you would like to send a message of condolence to the World family, send us an e-mail and we will pass
the message along.
WGRZ
Mourners pay tribute to fallen Marine
By Lou Michel
News Staff Reporter
Updated: April 12, 2010, 12:16 pm
Published: April 12, 2010, 12:16 pm
More than 200 mourners gathered this morning to pay their final respects to Marine Corps
Sgt. Frank J.A. World.
The hourlong service was held in the Amigone Funeral Home, on Sheridan Drive in the Town
of Tonawanda.
"Frank is not dead. Frank is more alive than he's ever been," said the Rev. Rich English,
pastor of Riverside Baptist Church, where World had worshipped while growing up in Buffalo.
George E. Brown, a cousin of World, was supposed to deliver the eulogy but was too broken
up to speak. Instead, English invited mourners to come up and stand beside the flaggeddraped coffin and share memories of the fallen soldier.
There was no shortage of volunteers.
"I'm his Aunt Rose and Frank always told me I was a softie. I can hear him now saying, 'Suck
it up, be tough,'" Rose Grasso said. "It gives me a lot of joy and peace to know he is together
with his father and others in the family."
Another aunt, Lupe Navarro, looked out on the mourners and the many young Marines in
dress uniform and said, "This was my nephew and I loved him so much. I see all these
Marines out there and you're all my nephews."
Buffalo Firefighter Larry World, the sergeant's brother, said, "Frank would be deeply touched
by the strong showing of the community in this tribute. This is wonderful. So many people are
paying their respects."
Following the service, a lengthy motorcade headed by police and members of the Patriot
Guard escorted the mourners to World's final resting place at Forest Lawn in Buffalo.
Sgt. Jason A. Santora
Hometown: Farmingville, New York, U.S.
Age: 25 years old
Died: April 23, 2010 in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Unit: Army, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
Incident: Died in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained while
conducting combat operations.
Sgt. Jason A. Santora
DOD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of two soldiers who were supporting Operation
Enduring Freedom. They died April 23 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained while conducting combat
operations. Both soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
Killed were:
Sgt. Ronald A. Kubik, 21, of Brielle, N.J., and .
Sgt. Jason A. Santora, 25, of Farmingville, N.Y.
Sgt Jason Anthony Santora
April 25th, 2010 Died: April 23, 2010 in Afghanistan
Sgt Jason A. Santora of Farmingville, New York enlisted in the United States Army in March of
2006. He served as a mortar platoon ammunition bearer in Headquarters and Headquarters
Company and as a rifle team leader with Company D. Jason is survived by his father Gary
Santora, his mother Theresa Santora, his sister, Gina and his uncle Ralph Fico. He died at age
25 in Logar province, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained while conducting combat operations.
Army
3rd Battalion
75th Ranger Regiment
Fort Benning, Georgia
RELEASE NUMBER: 100425-01A
DATE POSTED: APRIL 25, 2010
PRESS RELEASE: Two U.S. Army Rangers killed in combat
U.S. Army Special Operations Command Public Affairs
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, April 25, 2010)—Two U.S. Army
Rangers were killed in action April 23 during combat operations in support of Operation
Enduring Freedom while assigned to Company D, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
Sgt. Ronald Alan Kubik, 22, a native of Brielle, N.J. and Sgt. Jason Anthony Santora,
25, a native of Massapequa Park, N.Y were both seriously wounded in a engagement
with an enemy force in Logar Province, Afghanistan.
Both Rangers were treated immediately by unit medical personnel and evacuated to the
nearest treatment facility. They later succumbed to their wounds.
Sgt. Ronald Alan Kubik
Sgt. Kubik, enlisted in the U.S. Army in Philadelphia, Pa., in March 2007. He served in
3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment for more than two years as an assistant machine
gunner and as a rifle team leader with Company D.
Sgt. Santora, 25, a native of Massapequa Park, N.Y., enlisted in the U.S. Army in Fort Hamilton, N.Y. in March 2006.
He served in 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment for more than three years as a mortar platoon ammunition bearer in
Headquarters and Headquarters Company and as a rifle team leader with Company D.
“Sergeant Kubik and Sergeant Santora were Warriors, true Patriots and absolute
Heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our Nation,” said Col. Michael E.
Kurilla, commander, 75th Ranger Regiment. “They were the epitome of the Ranger Fire
Team Leader – fearless, leading from the front, and always concerned for their men.
Winston Churchill said it best, “Never was so much owed by so many to so few.”
Sgt. Kubik was on his third deployment in support of the War on Terror with one
previous deployment to Iraq and one to Afghanistan.
Sgt. Jason Anthony Santora
Sgt. Santora was on his fourth deployment in support of the War on Terror with one
previous deployment to Afghanistan and two deployments to Iraq.
“Sergerants Kubik and Santora were Ranger leaders of the highest caliber and brothers-in-arms who died fighting
together,” said Col. Dan Walrath, commander of 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. “Their actions exemplify the
fighting spirit of the Army Rangers and we will be eternally grateful for the examples they gave us in life.”
Sgt. Kubik is survived by his father Ronald A. Kubik of Hazlet, N.J., his mother Eileen M. Kubik of Pleasant, N.J., and
his sister Amy L. Kubik of Brielle, N.J.
Sgt. Santora is survived by his father Gary Santora of Medford, N.Y., his mother Theresa Santora of Massapequa,
N.Y., his sister, Gina Santora of Medford, N.Y., and his uncle Ralph Fico of Massapequa Park, N.Y.
75 RANGER REGIMENT B
S
TH
IOGRAPHICAL KETCH U.S.
ARMY SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE FORT BRAGG, NC 28310 / (910) 4326005 / http://news.soc.mil
Sergeant Jason Anthony Santora
Died on April 23, 2010
Operation Enduring Freedom
Sergeant Jason Anthony Santora, 25, was a team leader assigned to 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort
Benning, Ga. He was born on March 11, 1985 in Bethpage, N.Y. Sgt. Santora was seriously wounded in an
engagement with an enemy force in Logar Province, Afghanistan. He later succumbed to his wounds.
He was on his fourth deployment in support of the War on Terror with one previous deployment to Afghanistan
and two deployments to Iraq.
After graduating from high school, Sgt. Santora enlisted in the U.S. Army from his hometown of Massapequa
Park, N.Y. in March 2006. He completed Infantry One Station Unit Training, the Basic Airborne Course and the
Ranger Indoctrination Program at Fort Benning, Ga.
After graduating from the Ranger Indoctrination Program he was then assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters
Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in September 2006 where he served as a mortarman. In June
2008 he was assigned to Company D as a rifle team leader.
His military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Indoctrination Program, and the U.S. Army
Ranger Course.
His awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and Parachutist Badge. He
has also been awarded the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Achievement Medal with
one oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal
with combat star, Iraq Campaign Medal with two combat stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the
Army Service Ribbon.
He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal.
He is survived by his father Gary Santora of Medford, N.Y., his mother Theresa Santora of Massapequa, N.Y.,
his sister, Gina Santora of Medford, N.Y., and his uncle Ralph Fico, of Massapequa Park, N.Y.
As a Ranger, Sgt. Jason Santora selflessly lived his life for others and distinguished himself as a member of the
Army’s premier light-infantry unit, continuously deployed in support of the Global War on Terror, and fought
valiantly as he served his fellow Rangers and our great Nation.
- RANGERS LEAD THE WAY! -
Army Ranger from Farmingville killed in Afghanistan
Originally published: April 25, 2010 12:56 PM
By LAURA RIVERA laura.rivera@newsday.com
QUICK SUMMARY
A 25-year-old U.S. Army Ranger from Farmingville died Friday after a gunfight with insurgents in eastern
Afghanistan, officials said.
Photo credit: Handout | U.S. Army Ranger Jason Anthony Santora, 25, of Farmingville, died Friday after a gunfight with
insurgents in eastern Afghanistan, officials said.
A 25-year-old U.S. Army Ranger from Farmingville died Friday after a gunfight with insurgents in
eastern Afghanistan, officials said.
Sgt. Jason A. Santora was one of two U.S. Army soldiers killed in an overnight gun battle in the volatile
Logar province south of the capital, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Santora, whose hometown was Massapequa Park, joined the Army in March 2006 after graduating high
school. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga.
PHOTOS: Sgt. Jason A. Santora | LI troops in Afghanistan | The war in Afghanistan
After his death, Santora was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal, military
officials said.
Logar, which has access to routes in to Kabul, has seen more activity by insurgents in the past year as they
seek to gain a foothold in and around the capital, according to published reports.
Five insurgents - including a Taliban commander - were killed in an overnight firefight on Friday in Logar,
according to published reports.
An Army spokesman could not confirm Sunday whether Santora was wounded in the same incident.
- With wire reports
Sunday, April 25, 2010 From The Unknown Soldier
http://topics.npr.org/article/0dCr8fl1in79C?q=Afghanistan
By Tom Sileo We will always remember
Image courtesy: Staff Sgt. Tabitha Kuykendall
As many of us enjoy a beautiful Sunday afternoon, military families from Massachusetts to Iowa are mourning
devastating news. Military messengers recently knocked on their doors to solemnly inform them that a loved one has
died in one of America's post-9/11 conflicts.
Whenever I receive a casualty notice from the Department of Defense, whether sitting at home on my computer or
checking e-mail on my phone, I lower my head for a moment. The announcements are not just press releases listing
names. They represent sacrifices we can never repay, and families that will never be the same.
The following fallen troops, all serving with the U.S. Army, were identified by the Pentagon since April 21. As funeral
processions move through their hometowns and their bravery is remembered, The Unknown Soldiers intends to
write more about each of these heroes in the days and weeks ahead. In the meantime, this site and its readers send
our sincere condolences to all six families.
Staff Sgt. James Patton, 23, Fort Benning, GA (Tikrit, Iraq)
Sgt. Robert Barrett, 20, Fall River, MA (Kabul, Afghanistan)
Command Sgt. Maj. John Laborde, 53, Waterloo, IA (Kandahar, Afghanistan)
Staff Sgt. Christopher Worrell, 35, Virginia Beach, VA (Baghdad, Iraq)
Sgt. Ronald Kubik, 21, Brielle, NJ (Logar province, Afghanistan)
Sgt. Jason Santora, 25, Farmingville, NY (Logar province, Afghanistan)
An Army carry team carries the transfer case containing the remains of Army Sgt. Jason Anthony
Santora, of Farmingville, N.Y., upon arrival at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Sunday, April 25, 2010. The
Department of Defense announced the death of Army Sgt. Jason Anthony Santora who was supporting
Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
An Army carry team carries the transfer case containing the remains of Army Sgt. Jason Anthony
Santora, of Farmingville, N.Y., upon arrival at Dover Air Force Base, Del. on Sunday, April 25, 2010.
The Department of Defense announced the death of Army Sgt. Jason Anthony Santora who was
supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Sachem Alum, Farmingville Native Sgt. Jason Santora Killed in
Afghanistan
U.S. Army Ranger died fighting for his country.
By Chris R. Vaccaro | Email the author | April 25, 2010
A Sachem alum and Farmingville native was killed Friday in a firefight in eastern Afghanistan.
U.S. Army Ranger Sgt. Jason Anthony Santora, 25, a member of the 3 rd Battalion, 75th Ranger
Regiment based in Fort Benning, Ga., died in Logar province.
In a statement Friday, NATO said five insurgents were killed in a battle and that the casualties
came during a joint military operation with Afghan forces at a compound in the Puli Alam district.
Santora, who graduated from Sachem in 2003 and enlisted in March 2006, was on his fourth
deployment, with one previously in Afghanistan and two in Iraq. For more than three years, he was
a mortar platoon ammunition bearer and a rifle team leader. He was posthumously awarded the
Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal. His remains arrived at Dover Air Force
Base, Del. on Sunday.
Sgt. Ronald Alan Kubik, 22, of Brielle, N.J, also died in the attack.
"Sergeant Kubik and Sergeant Santora were warriors, true patriots and absolute heroes who made
the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation," said Col. Michael E. Kurilla, commander, 75th
Ranger Regiment, in a Special Operations Command (SOCOM) release. "They were the epitome
of the Ranger Fire Team Leader – fearless, leading from the front, and always concerned for their
men."
His awards and decorations include the Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman's Badge, and
Parachutist Badge. He has also been awarded the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf
cluster, Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, National
Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with combat star, Iraq Campaign Medal with
two combat stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon,
according to his biography on the SOCOM website.
"Sergerants Kubik and Santora were Ranger leaders of the highest caliber and brothers-in-arms
who died fighting together," said Col. Dan Walrath, commander of 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger
Regiment. "Their actions exemplify the fighting spirit of the Army Rangers and we will be eternally
grateful for the examples they gave us in life."
Added Sachem Superintendent James Nolan, "I truly cannot think of anything worse than the tragic
loss of a young life. It's just not supposed to be that way. I know that I can speak for the entire
Sachem family when I say that Jason and his family are certainly in our thoughts and prayers.
Jason is a true hero because he gave his life to help make the lives of others better."
Sgt. Santora is survived by his father Gary Santora of Medford, his mother Theresa Santora of
Massapequa, his sister, Gina Santora of Medford, and his uncle Ralph Fico of Massapequa Park.
Army Ranger from Farmingville killed in Afghanistan
Originally published: April 25, 2010 1:35 PM
Updated: April 25, 2010 11:00 PM
By LAURA RIVERA laura.rivera@newsday.com
QUICK SUMMARY
A 25-year-old U.S. Army Ranger from Farmingville died Friday after a gunfight with insurgents in eastern Afghanistan,
officials said.
Jason Santora and his little sister Gina had always been tight. When Gina turned 16 and their
parents couldn't throw her a party due to personal problems, Jason, then 20, stepped up to plan the event.
With his modest wages from a job with a pool company, he sprung for the cost of her birthday bash.
"I danced with my brother," Gina Santora, 21, of Medford, said Sunday, just hours after seeing his flagdraped coffin reach Dover Air Force Base. "I always said that every girl should have a big brother like him."
Sgt. Jason Santora, 25, a U.S. Army Ranger who grew up in Farmingville, was killed in action Friday in a
restive Afghan province south of the capital.
Santora, who enlisted in 2006 and had deployed several times to Iraq and Afghanistan, was two months
into his tour of duty as a team leader in Logar Province when he was "seriously wounded in an engagement
with an enemy force" Friday, according to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.
According to NATO's International Security Assistance Force, two American service members were gravely
wounded and later died in a gunfight with five insurgents, including a "suicide attack commander," in Logar
Province.
A Special Operations Command spokesman could not confirm Sunday whether Santora was one of those
two. But Santora's relatives said military officials told them that he was engaged in that battle. Sgt. Ronald
Kubik, 21, of New Jersey, also was killed.
Santora graduated from Sachem North High School in 2003. Family members said he had good grades and
liked to play football and soccer.
His father, Gary Santora, 52, of Medford, said he was watching the news on TV early Friday when he saw a
ticker item on the deaths of two troops and five militants in Afghanistan. "I didn't think twice of it," he said.
"As long as I don't have any knocks at the door, I know he's OK. And that morning, I got that knock.
"They start off with, 'We regret to inform you,' " he said of the visit by the uniformed military. "Once they said
that, I knew that he wasn't just hurt. They don't come to the door if your son's hurt."
Santora's family said he was so committed to his comrades in arms that he declined to return to Long Island
this month after his grandmother died.
"He said, 'If I leave now, it's going to be difficult for my team, and I can't leave them,' " his mother, Theresa
Santora, 49, of Massapequa Park, said. "I knew he made up his mind to be an Army Ranger. I wasn't happy
about it. If I could've talked him out of it, I would have, but he loved what he did."
Santora was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning, Ga. His relatives said
he'd been deployed six times, four in Iraq and two in Afghanistan.
In the past year, Logar Province, which has access routes to Kabul, has seen an uptick in insurgent activity
as the enemy seeks to gain a foothold in and around the capital, according to published reports.
Sunday, NATO-led forces captured a Taliban subcommander and killed several insurgents in Logar,
Western military officials said. Hours later, hundreds of people blocked a main road in the province and
protested what they said were civilian deaths in NATO operations, according to The Associated Press.
"Things really need to change in this world," Santora's mother said. "It's really sad that our young men have
to go over there and be killed and come home in a casket. It's my baby."
Funeral arrangements were incomplete Sunday.
Family mourns fallen LI soldier
The father, mother and sister of U.S. Army Ranger Sgt. Jason Santora of Farmingville talk about his service to his country
and what his loss means to them.
Long Island Army Ranger Jason Santora killed near Kabul; U.S.
death toll in Afghanistan at 1,050
Gina Santora
BY STEPHANIE GASKELL
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Monday, April 26th 2010, 10:00 AM
Magana/AP At Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Del., soldiers carry the coffin of Sgt. Jason Santora off the plane from
Afghanistan.
An Army Ranger from Long Island on his fourth deployment was killed in Afghanistan, bringing the U.S.
death toll there to 1,050 troops.
Sgt. Jason Santora, 25, of Farmingville died Friday after a firefight with insurgents in Logar province, just
south of Kabul.
"He was a wonderful boy," said his grandmother Marie Santora. "He was a great kid, never got in trouble."
Santora is survived by his parents, Gary and Theresa, and his older sister Gina.
"His sister is a mess. They were very, very close," his grandmother said.
Santora enlisted in the Army in 2006. He deployed twice in Iraq and once to Afghanistan before shipping out
again about two months ago.
Sgt. Ronald Kubik, a 21-year-old Army Ranger from Brielle, N.J., was also killed in the battle. Kubik was on
his third deployment.
Both soldiers were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, based at Fort Benning, Ga. "Sgt.
Kubik and Sgt. Santora were warriors, true patriots and absolute heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in
defense of our nation," said their commander, Col. Michael Kurilla.
"Winston Churchill said it best: 'Never was so much owed by so many to so few,'" Kurilla said.
sgaskell@nydailynews.com
http://videos.nj.com/starledger/2010/04/fallen_army_sgt_ronald_a_kubik.html
The body of US Army Sgt. Ronald A. Kubik returns to the United States on Sun., April 25,
2010. According to the Department of Defense, Sgt. Kubik, 21, of Brielle, and Sgt. Jason A.
Santora, 25, of Farmingville, NY were assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at
Fort Benning, Ga. They both died from wounds suffered in combat operations Friday in Logar
province, Afghanistan. The remains arrived at Dover Air Force Base aboard an Air Force C-17
transport at about 6:45 am. Many family members of both soldiers were on hand for the
solemn dignified transfer process from the aircraft to a waiting mortuary vehicle.
3rd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment, Ft. Benning, Sgt. Jason Santora
2003 Sachem North Grad Killed in Afghanistan
In Uncategorized on April 25, 2010 at 11:51 pm
Jason A. Santora, of Massapequa Park, killed in a firefight in Afghanistan.
An Army Ranger from Long Island became the latest U.S. fatality in the war in Afghanistan Friday, according to the
Department of Defense.
Sgt. Jason A. Santora, 25, of Massapequa Park, was killed April 23 from combat wounds sustained in Afghanistan’s
Logar Province, a mountainous tribal region just south of Kabul that the U.S. has hoped to stabilize by building
schools, health clinics, roads and other infrastructure.
Also killed in the incident was Sgt. Ronald Alan Kubik, 22, of Brielle, N.J.,
Santora, who served with the Army’s 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment based at Fort Benning, Ga., grew in
Farmingville and was a 2003 graduate of Sachem North High School.
His father, Gary Santora, 52, of Medford, told Newsday’s Laura Rivera that he was watching the news on TV early
Friday when he saw a ticker item on the deaths of two troops and five militants in Afghanistan. “I didn’t think twice of
it,” he said. “As long as I don’t have any knocks at the door, I know he’s OK. And that morning, I got that knock.
“They start off with, ‘We regret to inform you,’ ” he said of the visit by the uniformed military. “Once they said that, I
knew that he wasn’t just hurt. They don’t come to the door if your son’s hurt.”
He was on his fourth tour of duty since he joined the Army in March 2006, according to the Columbus, Ga. LedgerInquirer. Santora had served as a mortar platoon ammunition bearer and as a rifle team leader during his time in the
military.
Santora’s family said he was so committed to his comrades in arms that he declined to return to Long Island this month
after his grandmother died.
“He said, ‘If I leave now, it’s going to be difficult for my team, and I can’t leave them,’ ” his mother, Theresa Santora,
49, of Massapequa Park, said. “I knew he made up his mind to be an Army Ranger. I wasn’t happy about it. If I
could’ve talked him out of it, I would have, but he loved what he did.”
The wake for Sgt. Santora is from 2-4 and 7-9pm on Sunday at the Wantagh Abbey Funeral
Home and the funeral is at 10am, Monday at Calverton. The funeral home is located at 3374
Park Avenue, Wantagh, NY 11793.
Heroes in a forgotten war: Two local soldiers give their lives in
Afghan mission
EDITORIALS
Wednesday, April 28th 2010, 4:00 AM
Nearly six months after President Obama announced the start of a bold strategy to send in more American
troops to free Afghanistan from the clutches of the Taliban, brave young soldiers continue to give their lives
in service of that vital cause.
Young men like Sgt. Jason Santora (photo left) and Sgt. Ronald Kubik (right). Their willingness to serve
made them soldiers; their abilities made them Army Rangers; their characters made them leaders even
among the elite of our nation's forces.
The two sergeants each led a rifle team facing off against fanatical Taliban fighters in Afghanistan's Logar
Province. It was the type of mission that has become a textbook part of this counterinsurgency push: root
out the radicals, stabilize the area, return it over time to the elected government.
The formula makes sense, but it couldn't be more complex.
Santora, 25, of Farmingville, L.I., was serving his fourth combat deployment in recent years; in addition to a
previous tour in Afghanistan, he had served twice in Iraq. Kubik, 21, of Brielle, N.J., was on his third tour. He
had served earlier in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Their commanding officer called them "the epitome of the Ranger Fire Team Leader - fearless, leading from
the front and always concerned for their men."
The country must honor their determination and match it with a fierce national resolve.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
New York state of mind
Image courtesy: Facebook
When friends and fellow troops visited Sgt. Jason Santora's Facebook page, they'd see a biography section pop up
that revealed a lot in just a few short sentences. "I'm currently in the Army living in Georgia, but I'm a New Yorker at
heart," it begins.
Sgt. Santora never lost his New York roots while training at Georgia's Fort Benning or deploying to Afghanistan and
Iraq twice. He grew up in Farmingville, a popular Long Island suburb with a heavy Italian-American presence. While
he didn't enjoy the winters ("I hate the cold," he wrote on his profile), Santora could often be seen jogging or lifting
weights, as physical fitness was an important part of his life.
According to the Pentagon, Santora, 25, was killed in combat on Friday in Afghanistan's Logar province, alongside Sgt.
Ronald Kubik, 21. The Unknown Soldiers will write more about Sgt. Kubik's life on Friday. Both soldiers were part of
the Army's elite raid force, the 75th Ranger Regiment, which conducts dangerous special operations missions.
The Sachem Patch, which relays community news and tracks alumni of the local school district, obtained a quote
from Sachem Superintendent James Nolan about Santora, who was already regarded as a hometown hero.
"I truly cannot think of anything worse than the tragic loss of a young life. It's just not supposed to be that way. I
know that I can speak for the entire Sachem family when I say that Jason and his family are certainly in our thoughts
and prayers. Jason is a true hero because he gave his life to help make the lives of others better."
Chris Vaccaro's article said the highly decorated Ranger was a mortar platoon ammunition bearer and rifle team
leader. He is survived by his dad, mom, sister, and uncle, who all live at various spots on Long Island. Several family
members traveled to Dover, Delaware, to see their loved one's flag-draped casket return home on Sunday.
Sgt. Jason Santora's Facebook biography ended with a polite offer.
"Anything else you want to know, just ask."
We wish we could. Rest in peace, brave soldier.
U.S. Army
Sgt. Ronald Kubik loved music. He played the electric guitar and was an enthusiastic member of a New Jersey metal
band. He was also an American soldier making sure freedom's symphony was heard overseas.
Ever since childhood, Sgt. Kubik wanted to be involved in life's many activities. In addition to his musical talents, he
played football, wrote, wrestled, acted, and skydived. After high school and a few months of college, he decided to
become a highly skilled rifleman. Before he could legally buy a beer at home, Kubik deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan
as an elite warrior with the 75th Ranger Regiment.
Kubik's third deployment in the war on terror ended in tragedy one week ago in Afghanistan's Logar province. Next
to his brother in arms, Sgt. Jason Santora, the 21-year-old Ranger was killed supporting combat operations. Kubik
hailed from the Jersey Shore community of Brielle, while Santora grew up in the Long Island suburb of Farmingville.
The Asbury Park Press spoke with several members of Kubik's grieving, yet very proud family.
"He was adventurous and very creative," Amy Kubik said. "In the short time God gave him to us, he made a difference
and impacted so many lives."
The soldier's 25-year-old sister continued:
"His ranger battalion is so amazing," Amy Kubik said. "They stayed with us all day, walking us through the procedure.
They sat with us for hours. We are all just like a giant family right now."
One week after the loss of an American hero, the communities of Brielle, Point Pleasant, and Farmingdale, where
many of Kubik's relatives live, are filled with sadness and grief, but also pride and patriotism. Jim McConville's article
shows us that family members, friends, former teachers, and fellow soldiers are all sharing fond memories of this
fallen warrior, who always excelled whether holding a guitar, rifle, or football in his hands.
While many in our younger generation immediately think of MTV 'reality' characters when the Jersey Shore is
mentioned, I think the region should be known because of people like Sgt. Ronald Kubik. He was a highly skilled
young man who knew he could succeed in many fields at home, but believed there was a greater need for his talents
on the battlefields of the 21st century.
Facebook
When friends and fellow troops visited Sgt. Jason Santora's Facebook page, they'd see a biography section pop up
that revealed a lot in just a few short sentences. "I'm currently in the Army living in Georgia, but I'm a New Yorker at
heart," it begins.
Sgt. Santora never lost his New York roots while training at Georgia's Fort Benning or deploying to Afghanistan and
Iraq twice. He grew up in Farmingville, a popular Long Island suburb with a heavy Italian-American presence. While
he didn't enjoy the winters ("I hate the cold," he wrote on his profile), Santora could often be seen jogging or lifting
weights, as physical fitness was an important part of his life.
According to the Pentagon, Santora, 25, was killed in combat on Friday in Afghanistan's Logar province, alongside Sgt.
Ronald Kubik, 21. The Unknown Soldiers will write more about Sgt. Kubik's life on Friday. Both soldiers were part of
the Army's elite raid force, the 75th Ranger Regiment, which conducts dangerous special operations missions.
The Sachem Patch, which relays community news and tracks alumni of the local school district, obtained a quote
from Sachem Superintendent James Nolan about Santora, who was already regarded as a hometown hero.
"I truly cannot think of anything worse than the tragic loss of a young life. It's just not supposed to be that way. I
know that I can speak for the entire Sachem family when I say that Jason and his family are certainly in our thoughts
and prayers. Jason is a true hero because he gave his life to help make the lives of others better."
Chris Vaccaro's article said the highly decorated Ranger was a mortar platoon ammunition bearer and rifle team
leader. He is survived by his dad, mom, sister, and uncle, who all live at various spots on Long Island. Several family
members traveled to Dover, Delaware, to see their loved one's flag-draped casket return home on Sunday.
Sgt. Jason Santora's Facebook biography ended with a polite offer.
"Anything else you want to know, just ask."
We wish we could. Rest in peace, brave soldier.
Brookhaven, NY -George Demos, Conservative Republican candidate for Congress in the First
Congressional District of New York expressed his deepest condolences to the family of our local fallen hero,
U.S. Army Ranger Sergeant Jason Santora.
George Demos, said:
“Last Friday, Jason Santora of Farmingville, Long Island made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation he loved
so dearly and in so doing has reminded us all how precious the freedoms we all cherish truly are. Jason was
an U.S. Army Ranger Sergeant who was taken from us in an intense firefight with Taliban insurgents in the
Logar province of Afghanistan. Jason, 25, was a 2003 Sachem High School alum who enlisted in the Army
in 2006, and was deployed to Iraq twice and was just on his second deployment to Afghanistan. The Army
has posthumously awarded him the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service Medal. Jason
was fighting for our freedoms and it is heroes like Jason, and his comrade Ronald Kubik, to whom we all
owe an enormous debt of gratitude. No words can adequately comfort Jason’s family in their unspeakable
grief, but let us all honor Jason by recommitting ourselves to always honoring our armed forces and veterans
who bravely defend the blessings of freedom for our beloved nation. I ask for all to pray that Almighty
God’s infinite mercy be on Jason and his family. May his memory be eternal.”
There will be a wake for the Ranger, Sgt. Jason Santora, 25, on Sunday at Wantagh Abbey, 3374 Park Ave.
in Wantagh, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
The funeral will be on Monday at 10 a.m., also at Wantagh Abbey, followed by burial at Calverton National
Cemetery, 210 Princeton Blvd.
AAR: PGR Mission – Sgt. Jason A. Santora
May 3, 2010
We were proud to stand with our Patriot Guard Riders family in memory of Army Ranger Sgt. Jason
A. Santora last night.
Sgt. Santora and Sgt. Ronald A. Kubik, of New Jersey, were both killed in action in Afghanistan. Sgt.
Santora was on his fourth deployment in support of the War on Terror. ShadowSpear has more.
The Patriot Guard Riders have been involved in every phase of this memorial, from escorting the remains of
Sgt. Santora from Dover, Delaware, to Long Island, to standing in his honor during memorial services, to
escorting him to his final resting place at Calverton National Cemetery.
Among the many memorable moments during this mission were the personal thanks given to each PGR
member by Sgt. Santora’s mother, Theresa Santora, and spontaneous expressions of grief by passersby:
Mrs. Santora thanked us and we are merely returning the sentiment.
God Bless the brave men and women of our armed forces.
Theresa Santora, left, breaks down during her son's burial ceremony as she sits with her daughter, Gina, and
husband, Gary, Monday, May 3, 2010, at the Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton, N.Y. U.S. Army
Sgt. Jason Santora died during a firefight with five insurgents in the Logar Province in Afghanistan. Santora
was stationed at Fort Benning, Ga. , and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
Gina Santora, seated second from left, sister of slain U.S. Army Sgt. Jason Santora, sits with her mother,
Theresa, seated left, and father, Gary, seated right, as he is presented with a flag during Sgt. Santora's burial
ceremony, Monday, May 3, 2010, at the Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton, N.Y. Sgt. Santora died
during a firefight with five insurgents in the Logar Province in Afghanistan. Santora was stationed at Fort
Benning, Ga. , and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
Gina Santora, center, sister of slain U.S. Army Sgt. Jason Santora, sits with mother, Theresa, seated left, and
father, Gary, during Sgt. Santora's burial, Monday, May 3, 2010, at the Calverton National Cemetery in
Calverton, N.Y. Sgt. Santora died during a firefight with five insurgents in the Logar Province in
Afghanistan. Santora was stationed at Fort Benning, Ga. , and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger
Regiment.
A military honor guard prepares to fold the flag over the casket of U.S. Army Sgt. Jason Santora during his
burial ceremony, Monday, May 3, 2010, at the Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton, N.Y. Sgt. Santora
died during a firefight with five insurgents in the Logar Province in Afghanistan. Santora was stationed at
Fort Benning, Ga. , and was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
A military honor guard adjusts the flag on the casket of U.S. Army Sgt. Jason Santora, as his mother,
Theresa Santora, left, is escorted to her seat during his burial ceremony, Monday, May 3, 2010, at the
Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton, N.Y. Sgt. Santora died during a firefight with five insurgents in
the Logar Province in Afghanistan. Santora was stationed at Fort Benning, Ga. , and was assigned to the 3rd
Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
1st Lt. Joseph J. Theinert
Hometown: Sag Harbor, New York, U.S.
Age: 24 years old
Died: June 4, 2010 in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Unit: Army, 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain
Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.
Incident: Died in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit
using a rocket propelled grenade and a makeshift bomb.
Soldier from Shelter Island
Killed in Afghanistan
By Taylor K. Vecsey
(6/5/10)
Just days after the American military death toll in Afghanistan reached 1,000, a native of the
East End was killed.
Army First Lieutenant Joseph J. Theinert, a 24-year-old from
Shelter Island, died in Kandahar, reportedly hit by a rocketpropelled grenade on Thursday. His mother, Christine Theinert
of Shelter Island, and his father, who reportedly lives in Sag
Harbor, received word late Friday night. His remains were
flown into Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Saturday.
He was a member of the first squadron, 71st Cavalry
Regiment, and it was his first tour of duty. His regiment had
been in the province for about a month, according to an article
that appeared on on several Web sites on May 28. "We have no
informants right now, we're still working on it," Lieutenant
Theinert said in the article. "They'll eventually come around.
They don't know you. They don't trust you when you first
arrive."
He is the second East End resident to die in combat since
Sept. 11, 2001. In April 2008, Marine Lance Cpl. Jordan C.
Haerter of Sag Harbor was killed by a suicide bomber in Iraq.
-
Army First Lieutenant Joseph J.
Theinert
He died a hero in Ramadi, shooting the bomber, who had driven into a checkpoint he was guarding,
along with another soldier. Their shots stopped the bomber from getting closer, but the crash caused the
explosives to detonate.
Army Staff Sgt. James L. Pettaway Jr., of Baltimore, who grew up in Southampton, died on Oct. 3,
2004. He had been injured in Fallujah, Iraq, on Aug. 27, 2004. Jonathan Keller, an Army National
Guardsman from Wading River, died in January 2009, nine months after being shot while leading a raid
in Afghanistan.
Lieutenant Theinert was one of a dozen men and women from Shelter Island who have served during
the war on terror. One of them is his stepfather, Dr. Frank Kestler, a Shelter Island dentist and
lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve. Dr. Kestler served in Iraq in 2008.
The U.S. death toll in Afghanistan reached 1,000 over the Memorial Day weekend. Casualties are
expected to rise this summer.
A 2004 graduate of Shelter Island High School, Lieutenant Theinert was remembered as hardworking
and polite. Friends said he always had his eye on a career in the military, and he attended West Point
Military Academy in addition to the State University at Albany.
Bonnie Young, whose family was close to his family, remembered him "as a good friend" and someone
who was always happy and smiling. "He was true to himself and people were drawn to him because of
that," she said. "It's hard to think a bomb took him out, so heartless. He would have fought harder than
anyone," she said. "He was someone that most people aspire to be like."
In high school he excelled at cross-country, lacrosse, and basketball, playing with Shelter Island,
Pierson High School in Sag Harbor, and the Ross School in East Hampton. According to his Facebook
page, he also enjoyed hunting and paintball.
He was the middle child of three boys. His parents were divorced. In addition to his parents,
stepfather, and step-siblings, he is survived by his brothers, Billy Theinert of Bethpage and Jimbo
Theinert of Shelter Island.
"The thing I will miss the most," Ms. Young said, "is just having the pleasure of being around such a
genuinely nice human being who made everyone around him smile and feel good."
0fe083c60ed5fad 0
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Sag Harbor firefighters slowly take down a large American flag after a lengthy, solemn funeral procession
bearing the remains of U.S. Army First Leutenant Joseph Theiner, who was killed in Afghanistan, travelled
down Sag Harbor's Main Street on its way to Shelter Island on Wednesday, 6/9/10
5a0f23920b4460
0
0
It began to rain after a lengthy, solemn funeral procession bearing the remains of U.S. Army First Leutenant
Joseph Theiner, who was killed in Afghanistan, travelled down Sag Harbor's Main Street on its way to
Shelter Island on Wednesday, 6/9/10
Posted: Sunday, June 06, 2010
No date set for Theinert funeral but plans underway
Grateful family wishes all who want to help to contribute
BY CARA LORIZ | EDITOR
The family of First Lieutenant Joseph Theinert met with Shelter Island community leaders today to plan
funeral services for their son, who was killed in Afghanistan on Friday.
As many as 1,000 people are expected to attend the services. A date has not been set as Lt. Theinert's
remains have yet to be released by the Army and are still in Dover, Delaware. Once released, they are
expected to be flown to Gabreski Airfield in West Hampton and brought to Shelter Island via Sag Harbor in
a procession with military and police escort.
Services will be conducted over two days time. A wake will be held at Our Lady of the Isle Catholic Church,
with afternoon and evening hours. On the following day, funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. under a large
tent at the Shelter Island School. A reception will follow on the grounds of the American Legion Hall; Legion
facilities will also be open during wake hours for veterans, servicemen and others needing a place to gather.
Interment will be at Our Lady of the Isle Catholic Cemetery immediately after the funeral. A detailed
schedule and procession route will be posted on this website when they become available.
Family members have expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support from Shelter Islanders and
others.
You can help the community in this unprecedented local effort to remember a fallen hero. Contributions are
welcomed by the family and should be directed to the contacts below:
Food and beverages: Single serving containers for beverages please. Food donations for servicemen and
for the funeral reception are welcome. The refrigerated Fire Department truck will soon be on site at Legion
Hall.
Lee Oliver (631) 375-6751
Jim Oliver (631) 885-4899
Transportation: Buses and vans are needed to transport people from North Ferry to the funeral services
and from the School/Legion area to the cemetery and back.
Chief William Rowland, Shelter Island Fire Department
(631) 680-5045
Housing: Volunteers are needed to house family members and servicemen on Shelter Island.
Rebecca Mundy (631) 749-5040
Memorial gifts: Monetary donations in memory of Lt. Joseph Theinert will be deposited in a dedicated
account set up by the Shelter Island Lions Club, P.O. Box 634, Shelter Island Heights, NY 11965. Please
make checks out to the Lions Club Foundation and indicate Theinert Memorial in the memo line. The
donations will be used to help defray the cost of the funeral; additional proceeds will be given in Joey's
name to charities to be determined by the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a scholarship fund set up through the Shelter Island School.
Donations payable to the Shelter Island School, with Theinert Memorial Fund in the memo line, may be
mailed to P.O. Box 2015, Shelter Island, NY 11964.
Cards may be sent to the Kestler-Theinert family at P.O. Box 604, Shelter Island Heights, NY 11965.
Check under "Latest News" for updates on the funeral schedule. A website is being created for the family
and should be online soon at fallensoldiersi.com. The Shelter Island Police Department will also answer any
questions at 749-0600.
Soldier from East End Killed in Afghanistan
By Long Island Press on Jun 6th, 2010
A 24-year-old Army Lieutenant from Shelter Island was reportedly killed in Afghanistan on Thursday.
An Army carry team carries a transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Army Lieutenant Joseph J.
Theinert Saturday, June 5, 2010 at Dover Air Force Base in Del. According to the Department of Defense
Theinert, of Sag Harbor, NY., was killed during Operation Enduring Freedom.(AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Army Lt. Joseph Theinert, a 2004 graduate of Shelter Island High School, died in the southern province of
Kandahar after his vehicle was reportedly struck by a rocket-propelled grenade.
He was reportedly in his first tour of duty as a member of the 1st Squadron, 71st Calvary Regiment.
Lt. Theinert’s coffin arrived Saturday at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
LI soldier killed in Afghanistan
BY TAYLOR K. VECSEY AND ANNIE KARNI LAST UPDATED: 4:59 PM, JUNE 5, 2010
A Long Island soldier was killed in Afghanistan over the weekend, becoming only the second East
Ender to die in combat since 9/11.
Joseph Theinert, 24, a lieutenant in the 71st Cavalry Regiment for the U.S. Army, was killed in a
truck bombing in Kandahar, Afghanistan. It was Theinert’s first tour of duty overseas.
Flags flew at half-mast on Shelter Island yesterday to pay tribute to the fallen hero. His friends and
family mourned the former cross-country running star, basketball player and lacrosse player.
"He was like the perfect all American kid," said Jimmy Rando, a close friend. "He lived and died for
what he believed in."
Theinert — whose step-father Frank Kestler is in the Army Reserves and also served in
Afghanistan — had been stationed in Kandahar for just over a month.
"We have no informants right now, we’re still working on it," he recently told a reporter about how
his regiment received information about potential bombs in its way. "They’ll eventually come
around. They don’t trust you when you first arrive."
Sag Harbor resident Lance Corporal Jordan Haerter, 19, a rifleman in the Marine Corps, was killed
in action in Ramadi, Iraq in 2008.
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
On the Web:
Public contact:
http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=13585
http://www.defense.gov/landing/comment.aspx
Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 465-10
June 07, 2010
DOD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring
Freedom.
1st Lt. Joseph J. Theinert, 24, of Sag Harbor, N.Y., died June 4 in Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds
sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using a rocket propelled grenade and an improvised explosive device. He
was a New York Army National Guardsman assigned to 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat
Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.
For more information related to this release, the media may contact the New York National Guard public
affairs office at 518-768-4581 or 518-429-5186.
1lt. Joseph J. Theinert-US ARMY-KIA 6/04/2010
My friend 1Lt. Joseph J. Theinert of 1/71 Cavalry, stationed in Southern Afghanistan was killed
June 4 2010 when he stepped on an IED. He was the only casualty in his platoon. We come
from a very small town and this is impacting everyone. He was an all-American kid, doing
what he wanted to do and believed in his mission 100%.
Take a moment to think of Joe and all our troops at some point today and every day.
Army Officer from Long Island Killed in Afghanistan
Updated: Tuesday, 08 Jun 2010, 10:19 AM EDT
Published : Monday, 07 Jun 2010, 8:10 PM EDT
MYFOX NEW YORK STAFF REPORT
MYFOXNY.COM - An Army officer from Long Island, N.Y., was killed in action in Afghanistan last week, the
Department of Defense announced.
An improvised bomb killed 1st Lt. Joseph J. Theinert, 24, of Sag Harbor, died June 4 in Kandahar while he
was on patrol.
"The entire National Guard family extends our sympathies to the family, friends and comrades of 1st
Lieutenant Joseph Theinert," said Brig. Gen. Patrick A. Murphy, the adjutant general for the state of New
York. "Lieutenant Theinert was twice the volunteer, first for service as a Citizen Soldier here in his home
state and again to serve with the active Army's 10th Mountain Division."
Though he was a member of the National Guard, Theinert was actually in the midst of a three-year Army
active duty assignment with the 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry, part 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 10th
Mountain Division, based out of Fort Drum, the Pentagon said.
He was a graduate of State University of New York at Albany and Siena College's ROTC program,
according to the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs. Theinert is survived by his parents
and a brother.
The Division of Military and Naval Affairs reported that 32 members of the New York Army National Guard
have been killed in action or died in a combat zone since Sept. 11, 2001.
Route Announced for Lieutenant Theinert
(June 9, 2010) New York Army National Guard First Lieutenant Joseph J. Theinert's remains will
arrive on Long Island today, in a procession with military and police escort that will reach Shelter Island
Wednesday afternoon.
He died on June 4 while assigned to Army's 1st
Squadron, 71st Cavalry, part 1st Brigade Combat
Team of the 10th Mountain Division. Lt. Theinert
was killed when an improvised explosive device
detonated during a dismounted patrol, according to
a release from the Department of Defense.
His remains will be flown into Gabreski Airport in
Westhampton at about 3 p.m., according to Shelter
Island Town Supervisor Jim Dougherty.
The procession will begin at the airport in
Westhampton and proceed up Riverhead RoadCounty Road 31 to Sunrise Highway. It will continue
east as the highway becomes Montauk Highway and
into Bridgehampton, turning left at the Founder's
Monument onto the Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor
Turnpike.
Department of Defense
Army First Lieutenant Joseph J. Theinert, who was
killed in Afganistan on June 4.
The procession will continue onto Main Street
and into Sag Harbor Village. Turning onto Route 114 north, it will cross the Lance Corporal Jordan C.
Haerter Veterans Memorial Bridge and continue to South Ferry.
A maritime honor guard will line up aboard the Southern Cross ferry, which will be renamed the Lt.
Joseph Theinert, to escort him to Shelter Island.
On the island, the procession will follow Route 114 north through the center of town. It will cross
Bridge Street and continue up Chase Avenue and turn right to pass the Chequit Hotel and down Waverly
Place to Our Lady of the Isle Catholic Church.
Church bells will be rung on Shelter Island when the procession reaches Sag Harbor to alert residents
to the procession’s arrival.
1st Lt. Joseph Theinert Killed While Serving With 10th Mountain
Division
New York National Guard
Date: 06.07.2010
Posted: 06.07.2010 07:35
LATHAM, N.Y. - A New York Army National Guard Soldier serving on active duty, 1st
Lieutenant Joseph J. Theinert, age 24, died June 4, 2010, in Afghanistan while assigned to
Army's 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry, part of 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain
Division (Light Infantry).
He was killed when a rocket propelled grenade struck his vehicle during a mission.
Theinert was a Sag Harbor, N.Y., resident who volunteered for an Army National Guard
program that allows Guard members to serve three years on active duty prior to returning to
a local unit. He had been originally assigned to the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in
Syracuse and detached to the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum last year.
He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Albany in the
spring of 2008 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in May of that year through the
Siena College Reserve Officer Training Corps Program.
He reported to Fort Drum in July of 2009 after completing the Armor Officer's Basic
Leadership Course and was promoted to first lieutenant in November of 2009. Theinert
deployed with his unit to Afghanistan earlier this spring.
"The entire National Guard family extends our sympathies to the family, friends and comrades
of 1st Lieutenant Joseph Theinert," said Brig. Gen. Patrick A. Murphy, the adjutant general for
the State of New York. "Lieutenant Theinert was twice the volunteer, first for service as a
Citizen Soldier here in his home state and again to serve with the active Army's 10th
Mountain Division."
He is survived by his parents James Theinert of Sag Harbor and Chrystyna Kestler of Mattituck
and a brother, James Theinert, also of Sag Harbor.
His remains returned to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Saturday, June 5.
His awards include the Army Service Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal and the
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He is expected to receive the Afghan Campaign
Medal, the Purple Heart and the Combat Action Badge posthumously.
Thirty-two members of the New York Army National Guard, including Theinert, have been
killed in action or died in a combat zone since Sept. 11, 2001. Nine of those deaths were in
Afghanistan and 23 were in Iraq.
There are currently 819 members of the New York Army National Guard deployed in Iraq and
Afghanistan or are on active duty. More than 180 Soldiers are deployed in Afghanistan with
the 827th Engineer Company.
Publication: The Southampton Press
Shelter Island soldier killed in Afghanistan
By Jessica DiNapoli
Jun 9, 10 10:46 AM
Army 1st Lieutenant Joseph Theinert, center, with his father,
James Theinert and mother, Chrystyna Kestler.
Photo provided by Christine Cava
Jun 9, 10 5:38 PM
The Shelter Island and Sag Harbor communities are expected to turn out en masse on Friday
to honor U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant Joseph Theinert, a native of Shelter Island, who died in
Afghanistan.
A 2004 graduate of Shelter Island School who spent a lot of time with his father in Sag
Harbor, 1st Lt. Theinert died Friday morning when an improvised explosive device, commonly
known as an IED, went off while he was on foot patrol. He was serving in Afghanistan with
Bravo Troop 1-71 Cavalry, said his mother, Chrystyna Kestler.
The 24-year-old’s death has generated an outpouring of support from the community, said
Shelter Island Town Supervisor James Dougherty. There are volunteers cooking food for his
funeral, tentatively planned for Friday on the grounds of the Shelter Island School, and for the
wake, which may be held one day earlier at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church, Mr.
Dougherty said.
The dates of the services hinge on when 1st Lt. Theinert’s body can be returned home from
Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, Mr. Dougherty explained.
“Everyone is absolutely numb,” Mr. Dougherty said. “We’re just in shock. This has brought
home to us that the world’s events even reach our quiet little shores. We’ve been struck
down.”
Ms. Kestler said that her son’s lifelong dream was to be an officer in the Army—not the Navy,
Marines, or any other branch of the military, but specifically the Army, she said.
“He’s the only young person that I know who, from the moment he could talk, died being
what he wanted to be,” she said. “It’s that specific.”
1st Lt. Theinert also loved cowboys, and was able to fulfill a part of that dream, too, in the
Army, Ms. Kestler said. He was a member of the 10th Mountain Division, and the uniform for
that division called for a Stetson cowboy hat and cowboy boots and spurs.
“He got to be cowboy Joe and G.I. Joe,” she said.
Christine Cava, 1st Lt. Theinert’s sister-in-law, noted that military service is a tradition in the
family. His grandfather served, as did his uncles and great-uncles.
“Everyone when they’re little wants to be a soldier or a fireman,” said 1st Lt. Theinert’s
father, James Theinert of Sag Harbor. “I take great solace in that he achieved his dream.”
Mr. Theinert said that he and his son did many things together, and said that 1st Lt. Theinert
always loved playing lacrosse and learning about history.
“He was a good kid,” he said. “I know I’m his father and sound a little prejudiced on this, but
as a kid he was a role model to others, to his peers.”
1st Lt. Theinert’s remains are expected to arrive at Francis S. Gabreski airport in
Westhampton at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Mr. Dougherty said. There will then be a procession
through Sag Harbor to Shelter Island, he said.
The procession will travel over the Lance Corporal Jordan Haerter Veterans Memorial Bridge,
named after the Sag Harbor Marine who died in 2008 in Iraq.
Pending the arrival of 1st Lt. Theinert’s remains, a wake will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. at Our
Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church in Shelter Island on Thursday, June 10. His funeral
will be held on the grounds of the Shelter Island school at 1 p.m. Friday, June 11. After the
services, 1st Lt. Theinert will be buried at Our Lady of the Isle Catholic Cemetery.
In honor of 1st Lt. Theinert, Governor David Paterson has ordered that all flags on New York
State government buildings be flown at half-staff on Thursday, June 10
Mr. Theinert said he is grateful to the community for their support, but emphasized that he is
just a father struggling to deal with the death of his son.
“Everyone will try to grab a hold of him whether he’s a hero or just a poor boy who died,” Mr.
Theinert said. “To me, he was just my Joe.”
Publication: The Southampton Press
Fallen soldier's remains arrive on the East End today
By Jessica DiNapoli
Jun 9, 10 5:38 PM
Publication: The Southampton Press
The motorcade drives down County Road 39 in Southampton, underneath an American flag hanged
over the road by the Southampton Fire Department.
Photo by Brendan O'Reilly Jun 9, 10 10:46 AM
The remains of U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant Joseph Theinert arrived from Delaware at Francis S.
Gabreski Airport in Westhampton today at 3:30 p.m.
1st Lt. Theinert was killed in Afghanistan Friday morning by an improvised explosive device.
His body was flown back from overseas, arriving at Dover Air Force Base.
A procession traveled to Shelter Island through Southampton, Bridgehampton and Sag
Harbor. Church bells sounded as 1st Lt. Theinert arrived at Our Lady of the Isle Roman
Catholic Church.
A wake will be held at Our Lady of the Isle, located on Prospect Avenue in Shelter Island
Heights, Thursday, June 10, from 2 to 9 p.m. The funeral will be held on the grounds of the
Shelter Island school Friday, June 11, at 1 p.m.
Shelter Island Town Supervisor Jim Dougherty has named Friday, June 11, a town day of
mourning. Many government services will be closed that day, although schools will remain
open.
A soldier from the 10th Mountain Division bows at a service outside Kandahar, Afghanistan, for slain
comrade Lt. Joseph Theinert, a 2008 University of Albany graduate.
UAlbany grad killed in Afghanistan
Patriotic UAlbany grad killed leading platoon on Afghanistan mission
By PAUL GRONDAHL, Staff writer
First published in print: Wednesday, June 9, 2010
ALBANY-- Joseph Theinert wanted to serve in the Army so badly that he jubilantly informed classmates at
tiny Shelter Island High School on his 18th birthday that he had signed up for military service on the very
first day he was eligible.
First Lt. Theinert, who was killed in combat Friday in Afghanistan, was a member of the New York Army
National Guard. He volunteered for active duty service with the 10th Mountain Division after a boyhood
influenced by twin assaults on America's sovereignty.
His grandfather, a World War II veteran, told him accounts about surviving the Japanese attack on Pearl
Harbor that lingered in the boy's imagination.
As an impressionable teenager, he grieved along with his father, a retired New York City firefighter, who
knew many of those who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
His brother found a picture album posthumously on which Theinert, 24, a 2008 University at Albany
graduate, wrote these words on the back cover: "There is nothing glorious about war, but I will go to it to
keep the people I love away from it. 9/11 -- never forget."
Theinert was hailed as a hero and others on Tuesday, while the tight-knit community of Shelter Island
was planning two days of funeral services expected to draw more than 1,000 people later this week.
Friends described the fallen soldier as a focused, hard-working and patriotic young man who majored in
history at UAlbany, spent summer vacations traveling to World War II battlefields and completed ROTC
training at Siena College while taking a full academic load.
"He was a wonderful young man and very patriotic. He strived to be a great leader and a great officer,"
said Lt. Col. Michael Papadopoulos, a retired military science professor at Siena and former commander
of the ROTC battalion who commissioned Theinert as an Army officer at a May 2008 ceremony.
Theinert was the 32nd member of the New York Army National Guard killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, with
23 deaths in Iraq and nine in Afghanistan. There have been 4,402 American soldiers killed in Iraq out of
4,720 total NATO casualties since 2003, and 1,103 Americans killed in Afghanistan among 1,812 NATO
fatalities since 2001, according to icasualties.org, a Web site that tracks deaths of all NATO forces.
"He was a homegrown American hero. We should take some time to think about his sacrifice and what his
life stood for," said Lt. John Harder, an active duty Army National Guard member who lives in North
Greenbush. He is a 2008 Siena College graduate who was a classmate of Theinert's in the ROTC unit that
year. They briefly shared an apartment and Theinert sent frequent e-mails and Facebook messages from
Afghanistan, where he had been deployed for about five weeks before he was killed.
Theinert was among 30,000 additional troops ordered to Afghanistan in December by President Obama to
try to thwart the rise of the resurgent Taliban. U.S. commanders warned of more casualties as the
alliance gears up for a major operation to secure Kandahar, the former headquarters of the Taliban and
the biggest city in the south with a half million people.
Theinert was killed while leading his 20-member platoon on a mission in Kandahar when they came under
fire, including by a rocket-propelled grenade, or RPG. A military news release originally stated that
Theinert died after his vehicle was struck by an RPG, but it later corrected the notice to say Theinert was
killed when an improvised explosive device, or IED, was detonated during a dismounted patrol.
According to family members who spoke to the Shelter Island Reporter after hearing from Theinert's
commanding officer, they said Theinert died after he disabled one IED and began to disarm a second one
when the trigger mechanism sounded. Theinert had ordered the soldiers under his command to get back
before the device exploded and he was the only soldier killed in the incident. He is expected to receive
the Purple Heart, they said.
Eric Durr, a spokesman with the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs, cautioned about
unconfirmed family reports regarding combat fatalities. He could not confirm or deny the details of how
Theinert died and said official combat death reports often take additional time to be completed.
Theinert, who divided his time between his mother's home on Shelter Island and his father's in Sag
Harbor, Suffolk County, was serving as a member of the New York Army National Guard, assigned to the
Army's 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry, which is part of the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain
Division. He volunteered through a National Guard program that allows Guard members to serve three
years on active duty prior to returning to a local unit.
He set his sights as a youngster on a military career.
"His grandfather talked all the time about World War II and Pearl Harbor with Joey and I think that's what
put it in his head about going into the service," said his grandmother, Patricia Theinert, of Sag Harbor.
"Joey was a nice boy, a sweetheart."
"Somehow, he managed to be everybody's best friend and big brother at the same time," said Emily
Larsen, a close friend since kindergarten and a classmate among two dozen seniors who graduated in
2004 from Shelter Island High School.
Theinert enjoyed fishing on Long Island Sound and he worked for the Shelter Island ferry service, along
with his younger brother, Jim, 22, also a UAlbany graduate. They have an older brother, Billy, 25. In high
school, Theinert competed in lacrosse, basketball and cross-country and was Student Council president
and prom king.
Theinert never talked about the danger of his deployment and when he saw friends in Shelter Island for
the last time before heading to Afghanistan.
"He never let anybody worry about him," Larsen said. "He wasn't into goodbyes. He just said, 'I'll see you
later.'?"
Paul Grondahl can be reached at 454-5623 or by e-mail at pgrondahl@timesunion.com.
Posted: Saturday, June 05, 2010
Island soldier killed in Afghanistan
Lt. Joseph Theinert to be laid to rest on Shelter Island after saving his men
BY CARA LORIZ | EDITOR
"There is nothing glorious about war, but I will go to it to keep the people I love away from it."
This message from First Lieutenant Joseph J. Theinert was pencilled in the back cover of a picture album
found by his older brother Billy on Sunday, the day after his family learned that the 24-year-old Shelter
Island soldier had died while saving the lives of his men in Afghanistan. Beneath it, he wrote "9/11 --- never
forget."
On Friday, June 4, Lt. Theinert was leading his platoon on a mission in Kandahar Province when they were
subjected to hostile fire, forcing them toward an area mined with IEDs (improvised explosive devices). Lt.
Theinert disabled one IED and began to disarm a second one when the trigger mechanism sounded. He
warned the 20 men under his command to get back before the device exploded, his commander told the
family. He was the only soldier killed in the incident and he is expected to posthumously receive the Purple
Heart.
MILITARYPHOTOS.NET
1Lt. Joseph Theinert walking on patrol in Belanday village, Dand district in Kandahar on May 15, 2010. He was
killed by an IED on Friday, June 4.
Lt. Theinert is the son and stepson of Chrystyna and Frank Kestler of Mattituck and Shelter Island, and of
James and Cathy Theinert of Sag Harbor.
"He was always thinking of his men," his stepfather, Frank Kestler who served in the Army Reserve in Iraq
in 2008, said Sunday as friends and neighbors gathered outside his Shelter Island dental office to console
the family. They had just returned from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where Army soldiers carried his
flag-draped coffin off a transport plane on Saturday. His remains will be officially identified by the U.S. Army
before being flown to Gabreski Airfield. A procession escorted by military and police personnel is planned to
bring the Shelter Island native home from Westhampton. A maritime honor guard of U.S. Coast Guard and
other vessels will provide an escort at South Ferry, where Joseph Theinert and his brother Jim worked
summers. No dates are set but two days of wake and funeral services, including an official day of mourning
for the Town of Shelter Island, are being planned. He is the first Shelter Island serviceman to be killed in
combat since Jimmy Wilson, Shelter Island Class of 1962, died during the Vietnam War.
Lt. Theinert had been in Afghanistan for a month leading the 2nd Platoon, Bunchee Troop, 1-71 Cavalry
Battalion of the 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. He had left Sag Harbor, where he lived with his father
Jim Theinert, for Fort Drum about three months ago.
"What I want for him is for no one to ever forget him --- what he did for Shelter Island, what he did for his
country," said Mr. Theinert to Shelter Islanders gathered at the American Legion Hall Sunday to plan a
funeral that is expected to be attended by as many as 1,000 people.
His mother, Chrystyna Kestler, received one hand-written letter from her son since his deployment. "This
letter means everything to her," friend Paula Daniels of Southold said. Writing was not his strong suit as
evidenced by this family story: Upon returning from Shelter Island School one day, his mother asked what
he learned in Ms. Corwin's English class. "I learned not to look at the clock before the class was over," he
answered.
"Knowing he might not return, Joey only looked at the mission ahead of him," Ms. Daniels said.
His mission in southern Afghanistan was a dangerous one. His deployment is part of a build-up in American
forces in Kandahar to counter Taliban insurgents. He was interviewed by the foreign press at the end of
May, a few weeks into the 71st Cavalry Battalion's deployment and shortly after an ex-Taliban village leader
quit as an informant for NATO forces in the region. "We have no informants right now, we're still working on
it. We have been here a month," he told the reporter. "They'll eventually come around. They don't know you.
They don't trust you when you first arrive."
Lt. Theinert's Army unit was part of the International Security Assistance Force, the multi-national force
supporting the Afghan government in what the U.S. has dubbed Operation Enduring Freedom. When the
Reporter checked the Enduring Freedom casualties list for information on Lt. Theinert's death, there had not
been a death prior to his in many days. Since Thursday, at least 16 NATO soldiers have been killed. Since
2001, 1,099 American soldiers have died in Afghanistan.
Joseph Theinert graduated from Shelter Island High School in 2004. He had "an impressive athletic career,"
the Reporter wrote in its Graduation Supplement that year. He competed in cross country, lacrosse and
basketball, was Student Council president and was crowned king of his senior prom.
The family has established a website with memorial information at fallensoldiersi.com.
A schedule of services for Lt. Theinert will be posted on the Reporter website when it becomes available.
See related news for the community response to Lt. Theinert's death.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD STATEMENT IN HONOR OF FIRST LIEUTENANT JOSEPH THEINERT
06/09/10
Madam Speaker, I rise today humbly and with profound sadness to mark the death of Army First Lieutenant
Joseph Theinert, who was killed in action in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan on June 4th.
A resident of Sag Harbor, in my Congressional district, Lt. Theinert graduated from Shelter Island High
School in 2004. He distinguished himself in athletics, was Student Council president and was crowned king
of his senior prom.
Deeply affected by the September 11th attacks, Lt. Theinert earned a BA degree from the University of
Albany in 2008 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in May 2008 through the Siena College
Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He had been deployed for one month in Afghanistan, attached to
1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
Lt. Theinert was leading his platoon on a mission in Kandahar Province when they came under hostile fire
and were forced toward an area mined with IEDs, according to his commanding officer. He disabled one
IED and started to disarm a second one when the trigger mechanism sounded; however, he was able to
warn the twenty men under his command to get back before the device exploded. Lt. Theinert was the only
soldier killed in the incident, and his final heroic and selfless act fulfilled the responsibility of an officer to
keep his men safe and in the fight.
I offer my deepest condolences to Lt. Theinert’s mother and stepfather, Chrystyna and Frank Kestler of
Mattituck and Shelter Island; and to his father and stepmother, James and Cathy Theinert of Sag Harbor. I
also join these closely-knit Peconic Bay communities in mourning the loss of a young citizen of enormous
potential, and note with a heavy heart that two sons of the small village of Sag Harbor have made the
supreme sacrifice since September 11th.
Madam Speaker, among Lt. Theinert's possessions, his family found a memory book entitled: "My Life by
Joseph Theinert." I read the noble sentiments he inscribed on its inside cover into the Record of this House,
in the hope that others may draw inspiration from them, as I have:
The years of our youth that we will never forget.
When life was simple and all we knew was love.
The people in this book is why I choose to fight.
It is for them that I am willing to lay down my life.
There is nothing glorious about war,
but I will go to it to keep the people I love away from it.
9/11, Never Forget.
Posted: Wednesday, June 09, 2010
East End soldier killed in Afghanistan
Lt. Joseph Theinert to be laid to rest on Shelter Island after saving his men
BY CARA LORIZ | EDITOR
COURTESY THEINERT FAMILY
U.S. soldier 1LT Joseph Theinert of Shelter Island with his father, Jim Theinert, and mother Chrystyna Kestler in May 2008.
"There is nothing glorious about war, but I will go to it to keep the people I love away from it."
This message from First Lieutenant Joseph J. Theinert was pencilled in the back cover of a picture album found by his
older brother Billy on Sunday, the day after his family learned that the 24-year-old Shelter Island soldier had died while
saving the lives of his men in Afghanistan. Beneath it, he wrote "9/11 --- never forget."
On Friday, June 4, Lt. Theinert was leading his platoon on a mission in Kandahar Province when they were subjected
to hostile fire, forcing them toward an area mined with IEDs (improvised explosive devices). Lt. Theinert disabled one
IED and began to disarm a second one when the trigger mechanism sounded. He warned the 20 men under his
command to get back before the device exploded, his commander told the family. He was the only soldier killed in the
incident and he is expected to posthumously receive the Purple Heart.
Lt. Theinert is the son and stepson of Chrystyna and Frank Kestler of Mattituck and Shelter Island, and of James and
Cathy Theinert of Sag Harbor.
"He was always thinking of his men," his stepfather, Frank Kestler who served in the Army Reserve in Iraq in 2008,
said Sunday as friends and neighbors gathered outside his Shelter Island dental office to console the family. They had
just returned from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where Army soldiers carried his flag-draped coffin off a transport
plane on Saturday. His remains will be officially identified by the U.S. Army before being flown to Gabreski Airfield. A
procession escorted by military and police personnel is planned to bring the Shelter Island native home from
Westhampton. A maritime honor guard of U.S. Coast Guard and other vessels will provide an escort at South Ferry,
where Joseph Theinert and his brother Jim worked summers. No dates are set but two days of wake and funeral
services, including an official day of mourning for the Town of Shelter Island, are being planned. He is the first Shelter
Island serviceman to be killed in combat since Jimmy Wilson, Shelter Island Class of 1962, died during the Vietnam
War.
Lt. Theinert had been in Afghanistan for a month leading the 2nd Platoon, Bunchee Troop, 1-71 Cavalry Battalion of
the 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. He had left Sag Harbor, where he lived with his father Jim Theinert, for Fort
Drum about three months ago.
"What I want for him is for no one to ever forget him --- what he did for Shelter Island, what he did for his country," said
Mr. Theinert to Shelter Islanders gathered at the American Legion Hall Sunday to plan a funeral that is expected to be
attended by as many as 1,000 people.
His mother, Chrystyna Kestler, received one hand-written letter from her son since his deployment. "This letter means
everything to her," friend Paula Daniels of Southold said. Writing was not his strong suit as evidenced by this family
story: Upon returning from Shelter Island School one day, his mother asked what he learned in Ms. Corwin's English
class. "I learned not to look at the clock before the class was over," he answered.
"Knowing he might not return, Joey only looked at the mission ahead of him," Ms. Daniels said.
His mission in southern Afghanistan was a dangerous one. His deployment is part of a build-up in American forces in
Kandahar to counter Taliban insurgents. He was interviewed by the foreign press at the end of May, a few weeks into
the 71st Cavalry Battalion's deployment and shortly after an ex-Taliban village leader quit as an informant for NATO
forces in the region. "We have no informants right now, we're still working on it. We have been here a month," he told
the reporter. "They'll eventually come around. They don't know you. They don't trust you when you first arrive."
Lt. Theinert's Army unit was part of the International Security Assistance Force, the multi-national force supporting the
Afghan government in what the U.S. has dubbed Operation Enduring Freedom. When the Reporter checked the
Enduring Freedom casualties list for information on Lt. Theinert's death, there had not been a death prior to his in
many days. Since Thursday, at least 16 NATO soldiers have been killed. Since 2001, 1,099 American soldiers have
died in Afghanistan.
Joseph Theinert graduated from Shelter Island High School in 2004. He had "an impressive athletic career," the
Reporter wrote in its Graduation Supplement that year. He competed in cross country, lacrosse and basketball, was
Student Council president and was crowned king of his senior prom.
The family has established a website with memorial information at fallensoldiersi.com.
A schedule of services for Lt. Theinert will be posted on the website when it becomes available.
Sag Harbor Mourns Another Fallen Serviceman
Posted on 10 June 2010
By Andrew Rudansky
U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant Joseph J. Theinert was killed by an improvised explosive device last
Friday, June 4, 2010 while serving with the 10th mountain division in Afghanistan. He was 24 years
old at the time. An East End native who divided his time between Shelter Island and Sag Harbor,
1st Lt. Theinert was mourned by both communities.
1st Lt. Theinert had been in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, stationed just south of the city of
Kandahar for only one month when his dismounted patrol came under enemy fire. According to his
commanding officer, 1st Lt. Theinert and his men were forced into an area that was known to have
IEDs. He disabled one of the IEDs and was working on disabling a second when the device was
triggered. Before the device exploded Lt. Theinert was able to warn the men under his command
to get back, saving their lives.
“We live in a very self-centered society and he is my example of a selfless person,” said 1st Lt.
Theinert’s mother, Chrystyna Kestler. Kestler described her son as “steadfast…a patriotic child
who worked very hard to get where he got in life.”
Christine M. Cava, 1st Lt. Theinert’s sister-in-law called him “a man who lived out his dreams of
serving his country and gave his life to keep those closest to him safe.”
James Theinert, 1st Lt. Theinert’s father, a Sag Harbor resident, was the first family member to be
notified of his son’s death at 9 p.m. on Friday, June 4. He did not wish to comment on his son’s
death.
1st Lt. Theinert attended Shelter Island High School, where he ran for the Pierson-Shelter Island
Cross country team and was co-captain and midfielder for the Ross Ravens Lacrosse team, which
also included students from Pierson and Shelter Island. Lacrose coach Joe Silvey said, “He was a
tremendous player. He was the heart and soul of a young club.” Silvey said that he saw leadership
skills in 1st Lt. Theinert before he joined the military.
“He was a real leader, and he did it mostly through example: through hustle and effort,” said Silvey.
1st Lt. Theinert was remembered as much for his humor as his dedication. Kestler described her
son as a master of the one liner.
“When Joey said something it was either going to be shape up or something that was so funny you
would remember it for days,” she said.
Kestler said her son had wanted to be in the military from an early age, first bringing up the subject
when he was as young as six years old. She remembers Joseph and her other sons playing army
games in the back yard.
After graduating high school in 2006, Theinert enrolled in the Valley Forge Military College, and
then SUNY Albany where he received his bachelor’s degree. That same year he was
commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant through the Siena College Reserve Officer Training Corps
(ROTC) program.
“Joey was one of those quiet, steady people,” Kestler said.
While still in high school, he started a photo album which he entitled, "My Life by
Joseph Theinert." The small green book included photos of him with his friends and
family. Kestler said that neither she nor anyone else in the family had ever seen the
album before.
Among the quotes written by Theinert were the words, “The people in this book is why I
choose to fight. It is for them that I am willing to lay down my life.”
In honor of 1st Lt. Theinert’s sacrifice Congressman Tim Bishop entered a statement
into the official record of 111th Congress: “I also join these closely-knit Peconic Bay
communities in mourning the loss of a young citizen of enormous potential.”
“I am so sad and shattered that my son is dead…but on the other hand I was so lucky to have
such a gift like Joseph,” said Kestler.
On Wednesday, June 9, at 4:45 p.m. the procession for fallen hero 1 st Lieutenant Joseph Theinert
slowly passed by rows of mourners on Main Street, Sag Harbor. The convoy had traveled to Sag
Harbor from Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach. Once on Main Street the convoy passed
over the Lance Corporal Jordan Haerter Veterans Memorial Bridge, named after the Sag Harbor
Marine who was killed in Iraq two years ago. From there they traveled to the South Ferry and onto
Shelter Island. Once on Shelter Island the procession made its way to its final stop, Our Lady of
the Isle Catholic Church.
The wake will be at the church on Thursday, June 10 from 2 to 9 p.m. The funeral will take place
the following day on Friday, June 11 at the Shelter Island School with a reception after the funeral
on the grounds of the American Legion Hall. Finally 1st Lt. Theinert will be interred at Our Lady of
the Isle Catholic Cemetery.
“I don’t want anyone to forget Joey and his sacrifice but also I don’t want people to forget about the
soldiers still there,” said Kestler.
In honor of 1st Lt. Theinert the Southern Cross of the Shelter Island Ferry will be renamed the 1st
Lt. Joseph Theinert.
On the honors and outpouring of support for her fallen son, Kestler said, “Joey is the one who is
going to be missed, not the fallen hero 1st Lieutenant Joseph Theinert.”
A Sad Homecoming For Army First Lieutenant Joseph J.
Theinert As A Solemn Community Mourns His Death
By Eileen Casey
The Sag Harbor Fire Department raised Old Glory high today in remembrance and honor of native
son Army First Lieutenant Joseph J. Theinert. (Joe Strand)
Sag Harbor - Army First Lieutenant Joseph J. Theinert returned home today, and a solemn and saddened
family and community were on hand to welcome back their native son. Theinert, 24, was a member of the
1st squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, and was killed in Kandahar, Afghanistan on June 4, when an
improvised explosive device was detonated near his dismounted patrol. This was his first tour of duty.
The community, police, fire department, Veterans of Foreign Wars, as well as local Boy Scout troops, and
friends and neighbors were all on hand as the procession accompanying Theinert made its way down Main
Street in Sag Harbor today, just as a light drizzle began - perhaps symbolic of the many tears that were
shed at this young man's passing.
A resident of Sag Harbor, Theinert was a member of the 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, part of the
10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum, NY. He was also a member of the New York Army National
Guard. After being commissioned as an officer in the National Guard, he volunteered to go on active duty
before joining his New York Army National Guard Unit.
Governor David A. Paterson has directed that flags on New York State government buildings be flown at
half-staff on Thursday, June 10, and commented "On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend the sympathy and
heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and fellow service members of First Lieutenant Joseph Theinert.
We are sorry for the loss of this young officer, but we appreciate his devotion and leadership given to his
soldiers and our nation."
A star athlete at cross-country, lacrosse, and basketball, Theinert graduated from Shelter Island High
School in 2004, and attended West Point Military Academy in addition to the State University at Albany.
The hearse carrying Theinert proceeded down Main Street in Sag Harbor on view before a
stunned and sympathetic community.
Today, Congressman Tim Bishop entered the following statement honoring Theinert into the Official Record
of the 111th Congress:
Madam Speaker, I rise today humbly and with profound sadness to mark the death of Army First Lieutenant
Joseph Theinert, who was killed in action in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan on June 4.
A resident of Sag Harbor, in my Congressional district, Lt. Theinert graduated from Shelter Island High
School in 2004. He distinguished himself in athletics, was Student Council president and was crowned king
of his senior prom.
Deeply affected by the September 11th attacks, Lt. Theinert earned a BA degree from the University of
Albany in 2008 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in May 2008 through the Siena College
Reserve Officer Training Corps program. He had been deployed for one month in Afghanistan, attached to
1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
Members of the police and fire department raise a salute in honor of the young soldier.
Lt. Theinert was leading his platoon on a mission in Kandahar Province when they came under hostile fire
and were forced toward an area mined with IEDs, according to his commanding officer. He disabled one
IED and started to disarm a second one when the trigger mechanism sounded; however, he was able to
warn the 20 men under his command to get back before the device exploded. Lt. Theinert was the only
soldier killed in the incident, and his final heroic and selfless act fulfilled the responsibility of an officer to
keep his men safe and in the fight.
I offer my deepest condolences to Lt. Theinert's mother and stepfather, Chrystyna and Frank Kestler of
Mattituck and Shelter Island; and to his father and stepmother, James and Cathy Theinert of Sag Harbor. I
also join these closely-knit Peconic Bay communities in mourning the loss of a young citizen of enormous
potential, and note with a heavy heart that two sons of the small village of Sag Harbor have made the
supreme sacrifice since September 11th.
Madam Speaker, among Lt. Theinert's possessions, his family found a memory book entitled: "My Life by
Joseph Theinert." I read the noble sentiments he inscribed on its inside cover into the Record of this House,
in the hope that others may draw inspiration from them, as I have:
The years of our youth that we will never forget.
When life was simple and all we knew was love.
The people in this book is why I choose to fight.
It is for them that I am willing to lay down my life.
There is nothing glorious about war, but I will go to it to keep the people I love away from it.
9/11, Never Forget.
The procession was trailed by motorcyclists representing various organizations as it made its way
through Sag Harbor to Shelter Island.
A wake is scheduled to be held on Thursday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Our Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic
Church on Shelter Island, and the funeral will be held on Friday at 1 p.m. at the Shelter Island School.
Much will be written and reported about this young man's life and death in the coming days, weeks and
months, but perhaps today we should all just simply remember and quietly pray for peace for him, his family
and our nation.
Route Announced for Lieutenant Theinert
(June 9, 2010) New York Army National Guard First Lieutenant Joseph J. Theinert's remains will arrive
on Long Island today, in a procession with military and police escort that will reach Shelter Island
Wednesday afternoon.
He died on June 4 while assigned to Army's 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry, part 1st Brigade Combat Team of
the 10th Mountain Division. Lt. Theinert was killed when an improvised explosive device detonated during a
dismounted patrol, according to a release from the Department of Defense.
His remains will be flown into Gabreski Airport in Westhampton at about 3 p.m., according to Shelter
Island Town Supervisor Jim Dougherty.
The procession will begin at the airport in Westhampton and proceed up Riverhead Road-County Road 31
to Sunrise Highway. It will continue east as the highway becomes Montauk Highway and into
Bridgehampton, turning left at the Founder's Monument onto the Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike.
The procession will continue onto Main Street and into Sag Harbor Village. Turning onto Route 114 north,
it will cross the Lance Corporal Jordan C. Haerter Veterans Memorial Bridge and continue to South Ferry.
A maritime honor guard will line up aboard the Southern Cross ferry, which will be renamed the Lt.
Joseph Theinert, to escort him to Shelter Island.
On the island, the procession will follow Route 114 north through the center of town. It will cross Bridge
Street and continue up Chase Avenue and turn right to pass the Chequit Hotel and down Waverly Place to
Our Lady of the Isle Catholic Church.
Church bells will be rung on Shelter Island when the procession reaches Sag Harbor to alert residents to
the procession’s arrival.
Guide to Services for Lt. Theinert
Hundreds of visitors and residents are expected to attend the services for Lt. Joseph Theinert. Here's what you need to
know if you plan to attend.
http://www.suffolktimes.com/news-articles/0773/0773-Fallen--warrior---returns.html
Posted: Thursday, June 10, 2010
Fallen warrior returns to Shelter Island
Lt. Joseph Theinert to be laid to rest after saving his men
BY CARA LORIZ |STAFF WRITER
CHRIS HONDROS PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES A soldier of the 10th Mountain Division bows during a
memorial service for Lt. Joseph Theinert, killed on June 4 by an insurgent attack during a routine mission.
His death is the company's first since it arrived in Afghanistan three months ago as part of a troop surge.
"There is nothing glorious about war, but I will go to it to keep the people I love away from it."
That message from First Lieutenant Joseph J. Theinert was pencilled in the back cover of a picture album
found by his older brother Billy on Sunday, the day after his family learned that the 24-year-old Shelter
Island soldier had died while saving the lives of his men in Afghanistan. Beneath it, he'd written, "9/11 -never forget."
Lt. Theinert, the first serviceman from Shelter Island to be killed in combat since the Vietnam War, is the
son and stepson of Chrystyna and Frank Kestler of Mattituck and Shelter Island, and James and Cathy
Theinert of Sag Harbor.
On Friday, June 4, Lt. Theinert was leading his platoon on a mission in Kandahar Province when the unit
came under hostile fire, forcing it toward an area mined with improvised explosive devices. As reported to
the family, Lt. Theinert disabled one IED and approached a second one when the trigger mechanism
sounded. He warned the 20 men under his command to get back. Thanks to that warning, none were
harmed when the device exploded. He was the only soldier killed in the incident and is expected to
posthumously receive the Purple Heart.
"He was always thinking of his men," his stepfather, Frank Kestler, who served in the Army Reserve in Iraq
in 2008, said Sunday as friends and neighbors gathered outside his Shelter Island dental office to console
the family. They had just returned from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where the day before Army
soldiers had carried Lt. Theinert's flag-draped casket off a transport plane. His remains were scheduled to
arrive at Gabreski Airport Wednesday afternoon at about 3:30 p.m. A procession escorted by military and
police personnel were to bring the Shelter Island native home that evening.
A maritime honor guard of U.S. Coast Guard and other vessels were set to line the ferry channel and escort
the Southern Cross, soon to be officially renamed the Lt. Joseph J. Theinert, to South Ferry, where the
soldier and his brother Jim worked summers.
Lt. Theinert had been in Afghanistan for a month leading the 2nd Platoon, Bunchee Troop, 1-71 Cavalry
Battalion of the 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. He had left Sag Harbor, where he lived with his father,
Jim Theinert, for Fort Drum about three months ago.
"What I want for him is for no one to ever forget him -- what he did for Shelter Island, what he did for his
country," Mr. Theinert told Shelter Islanders gathered at the American Legion Hall Sunday to plan a funeral
that is expected to be attended by as many as 1,000 people.
His mother, Chrystyna Kestler, had received one handwritten letter from her son since his deployment. "This
letter means everything to her," said friend Paula Daniels of Southold. Writing was not his strong suit, as
evidenced by a family story: Upon returning from Shelter Island School one day, his mother asked what he
had learned in Ms. Corwin's English class. "I learned not to look at the clock before the class was over," he
answered.
"Knowing he might not return, Joe only looked at the mission ahead of him," Ms. Daniels said.
His mission in southern Afghanistan was a dangerous one. His deployment was part of a buildup in
American forces in Kandahar to counter Taliban insurgents. He was interviewed by the foreign press at the
end of May, a few weeks into the 71st Cavalry Battalion's deployment, and spoke of the difficulty of winning
the trust of Afghani villagers. "They'll eventually come around," he told a reporter. "They don't know you.
They don't trust you when you first arrive."
Lt. Theinert's Army unit is part of the multinational force supporting the Afghan government in what the U.S.
has dubbed Operation Enduring Freedom. The online casualty list for Enduring Freedom showed no deaths
in the days immediately prior to the attack that proved fatal for Lt. Theinert. Since Friday, at least 20 NATO
soldiers have died. More than 1,100 American servicemen have died in Afghanistan since 2001.
Joseph Theinert graduated from Shelter Island High School in 2004. He had "an impressive athletic career,"
the Shelter Island Reporter wrote in its graduation supplement that year. He competed in cross country,
lacrosse and basketball, was Student Council president (he and his tall brother, Jim, campaigned on a
"Twin Towers" theme) and was crowned king of his senior prom. He graduated from the State University of
New York at Albany in the spring of 2008 but it was his commissioning as a second lieutenant in May of that
year through SUNY partner Siena College and its Reserve Officer Training Corps program that mattered
most to him.
By earning his commission in the Cavalry Battalion, whose dress uniform includes a black Stetson, "Joe got
to be everything he wanted to be: Cowboy Joe and GI Joe," his mother said.
The soldier had a private moment with his brother Jim before leaving for Fort Drum and deployment to
Afghanistan, Ms. Kestler recalled. "Jimbo asked Joe, 'Are you ready for this?' Joe looked him in the eye and
said: 'Born for it.'"
Ms. Kestler asked that the community remember her son's comrades. "I have a community of people who
are surrounding me. What about his men and fellow officers?" They had to not only see him be killed, but
gather his remains and get right back to work, she said. "No one is surrounding them. Joe's men can't be
forgotten."
The funeral for Lt. Theinert is set for Friday, June 11, at 1 p.m. at the Shelter Island School. The family has
established a website with memorial information at fallensoldiersi.com.
Posted: Thursday, June 10, 2010
Lieutenant Joseph J. Theinert
First Lieutenant Joseph J. Theinert, a New York Army National Guard Officer, was killed on Friday, June 4,
2010 while serving with the 10th Mountain Division in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
The 24-year-old Shelter Island native and Sag Harbor resident was leading his platoon when an improvised
explosive device he was disarming exploded. He is expected to receive the Purple Heart posthumously for
his heroism.
Lt. Theinert had volunteered for an Army National Guard program that allows Guard members to serve
three years on active duty prior to returning to a local unit. He was originally assigned to the 27th Infantry
Brigade Combat Team in Syracuse and joined the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum in July 2009. He
was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in November 2009 following his completion of the Armor's Officer's Basic
Leadership Course, and was deployed with his unit to Afghanistan earlier this spring.
His awards include the Army Service Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on
Terrorism Service Medal. In addition to the Purple Heart, he is also expected to receive the Afghan
Campaign Medal and the Combat Action Badge posthumously.
A 2004 graduate of Shelter Island High School, Lt. Theinert received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the
State University of New York at Albany in 2008 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant that year through
the Siena College ROTC program.
He is survived by his parents James and Cathy Theinert and Chrystyna and Frank Kestler; his
grandmothers Patricia Theinert and Chrystyna Skovira; and his siblings William J. Theinert (fiance Christine
Cava), James Jimbo Theinert, Jacqueline L. Kestler, Francis A. Kestler Jr. and Nicholas E. Kestler and
Jason, Zoe and Barry Hanly-Ford.
He is also survived by the officers and men of Bravo Troop 1-71CAV, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division.
Funeral services have been entrusted to the Shelter Island Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on
Thursday, June 10 from 2 to 9 p.m. at Our Lady of the Isle Church. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be
celebrated on Friday, June 11 at 1 p.m. on the Shelter Island School grounds. Interment, with U.S. Army
honors, will follow in Our Lady of the Isle Cemetery. Memorial information is available at a website
established by the family, fallensoldiersi.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Theinert Memorial Fund, c/o Shelter Island School, P.O. Box
2015, Shelter Island 11964 or the Wounded Warrier Project, 370 7th Avenue, Room 320, NYC, 10001.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKm62EDELmw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6EJlGORihY&feature=related
Young soldier's dream ends...: Patriotic UAlbany grad killed leading platoon on
Afghanistan mission
Jun, 09, 2010 05:31 AM - Times Union (Albany, NY)
Jun. 9--ALBANY-- Joseph Theinert wanted to serve in the Army so badly that he jubilantly
informed classmates at tiny Shelter Island High School on his 18th birthday that he had
signed up for military service on the very first day he was eligible.
First Lt. Theinert, who was killed in combat Friday in Afghanistan, was a member of the New
York Army National Guard. He volunteered for active duty service with the 10th Mountain
Division after a boyhood influenced by twin assaults on America's sovereignty.
His grandfather, a World War II veteran, told him accounts about surviving the Japanese
attack on Pearl Harbor that lingered in the boy's imagination.
As an impressionable teenager, he grieved along with his father, a retired New York City
firefighter, who knew many of those who died in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the
World Trade Center.
His brother found a picture album posthumously on which Theinert, 24, a 2008 University at
Albany graduate, wrote these words on the back cover: "There is nothing glorious about war,
but I will go to it to keep the people I love away from it. 9/11 -- never forget."
Theinert was hailed as a hero and others on Tuesday, while the tight-knit community of
Shelter Island was planning two days of funeral services expected to draw more than 1,000
people later this week.
Friends described the fallen soldier as a focused, hard-working and patriotic young man who
majored in history at UAlbany, spent summer vacations traveling to World War II battlefields
and completed ROTC training at Siena College while taking a full academic load.
"He was a wonderful young man and very patriotic. He strived to be a great leader and a
great officer," said Lt. Col. Michael Papadopoulos, a retired military science professor at Siena
and former commander of the ROTC battalion who commissioned Theinert as an Army officer
at a May 2008 ceremony.
Theinert was the 32nd member of the New York Army National Guard killed in Iraq and
Afghanistan, with 23 deaths in Iraq and nine in Afghanistan. There have been 4,402 American
soldiers killed in Iraq out of 4,720 total NATO casualties since 2003, and 1,103 Americans
killed in Afghanistan among 1,812 NATO fatalities since 2001, according to icasualties.org, a
Web site that tracks deaths of all NATO forces.
"He was a homegrown American hero. We should take some time to think about his sacrifice
and what his life stood for," said Lt. John Harder, an active duty Army National Guard member
who lives in North Greenbush. He is a 2008 Siena College graduate who was a classmate of
Theinert's in the ROTC unit that year. They briefly shared an apartment and Theinert sent
frequent e-mails and Facebook messages from Afghanistan, where he had been deployed for
about five weeks before he was killed.
Theinert was among 30,000 additional troops ordered to Afghanistan in December by
President Obama to try to thwart the rise of the resurgent Taliban. U.S. commanders warned
of more casualties as the alliance gears up for a major operation to secure Kandahar, the
former headquarters of the Taliban and the biggest city in the south with a half million people.
Theinert was killed while leading his 20-member platoon on a mission in Kandahar when they
came under fire, including by a rocket-propelled grenade, or RPG. A military news release
originally stated that Theinert died after his vehicle was struck by an RPG, but it later
corrected the notice to say Theinert was killed when an improvised explosive device, or IED,
was detonated during a dismounted patrol.
According to family members who spoke to the Shelter Island Reporter after hearing from
Theinert's commanding officer, they said Theinert died after he disabled one IED and began to
disarm a second one when the trigger mechanism sounded. Theinert had ordered the soldiers
under his command to get back before the device exploded and he was the only soldier killed
in the incident. He is expected to receive the Purple Heart, they said.
Eric Durr, a spokesman with the New York State Division of Military & Naval Affairs, cautioned
about unconfirmed family reports regarding combat fatalities. He could not confirm or deny
the details of how Theinert died and said official combat death reports often take additional
time to be completed.
Theinert, who divided his time between his mother's home on Shelter Island and his father's
in Sag Harbor, Suffolk County, was serving as a member of the New York Army National
Guard, assigned to the Army's 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry, which is part of the 1st Brigade
Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division. He volunteered through a National Guard
program that allows Guard members to serve three years on active duty prior to returning to
a local unit.
He set his sights as a youngster on a military career.
"His grandfather talked all the time about World War II and Pearl Harbor with Joey and I think
that's what put it in his head about going into the service," said his grandmother, Patricia
Theinert, of Sag Harbor. "Joey was a nice boy, a sweetheart."
"Somehow, he managed to be everybody's best friend and big brother at the same time," said
Emily Larsen, a close friend since kindergarten and a classmate among two dozen seniors who
graduated in 2004 from Shelter Island High School.
Theinert enjoyed fishing on Long Island Sound and he worked for the Shelter Island ferry
service, along with his younger brother, Jim, 22, also a UAlbany graduate. They have an older
brother, Billy, 25. In high school, Theinert competed in lacrosse, basketball and cross-country
and was Student Council president and prom king.
Theinert never talked about the danger of his deployment and when he saw friends in Shelter
Island for the last time before heading to Afghanistan.
"He never let anybody worry about him," Larsen said. "He wasn't into goodbyes. He just said,
'I'll see you later.'?"
Paul Grondahl can be reached at 454-5623 or by e-mail at pgrondahl@timesunion.com.
To see more of the Albany Times Union, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to
http://www.timesunion.com.
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Copyright © 2010 Acquire Media. All rights reserved.
Posted: Wednesday, June 09, 2010
BREAKING NEWS: Theinert procession to arrive on Shelter Island today
Bells will toll arrival on Island
The word circulated at about 10 o'clock this morning that Lt. Joseph J. Theinert's remains will arrive at
Gabreski Airport at 3 p.m. today, Wednesday, June 9, and a procession with military and police escort will
reach Shelter Island later this afternoon.
Lt. Theinert, who was from Shelter Island, is the son of Chrys Kestler and stepfather Dr. Frank Kestler, who
also have a home in Mattituck.
The path of the procession has been the mapped by the Shelter Island Police Department.
The procession will begin at Gabreski Airport in Westhampton and proceed up Riverhead Road/County
Road 31 to Sunrise Highway. It will continue east as the highway becomes Montauk Highway and into
Bridgehampton, turning left at the Founder's Monument onto Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor turnpike.
The procession will continue onto Main Street and straight into the Village of Sag Harbor. Turning onto
Route 114 north, the procession will cross the Lance Corporal Jordan Haerter Veterans Memorial Bridge
and continue to South Ferry.
A maritime honor guard will line up on both sides of the ferry crossing as the Southern Cross, to be
renamed the Lt. Joseph Theinert, returns him to his hometown of Shelter Island.
On the Island, the procession will follow Route 114 north through the center of town. It will cross Bridge
Street and continue up Chase Avenue and turn right to pass the Chequit Hotel and around on Waverley
Place on to Our Lady of the Isle Catholic Church.
Church bells will be rung on Shelter Island when the procession reaches Sag Harbor. This is a call to
residents to line the Ferry Road route and honor their fallen hero.
Army lieutenant from LI killed in Afghanistan
Originally published: June 5, 2010 6:53 PM
Updated: June 5, 2010 10:41 PM
By MARTIN C. EVANS martin.evans@newsday.com
QUICK SUMMARY
Army Lt. Joseph Theinert, a native of Shelter Island, died in Afghanistan on Thursday when his vehicle was hit by a
rocket-propelled grenade, an uncle said.
Photo credit: AP | An Army team carries the coffin containing the remains of Lt. Theinert after his body arrives at Dover
Air Force Base in Delaware. (June 5, 2010)
Family members said the Shelter Island native had always wanted to be a soldier. They just
wish Army Lt. Joseph Theinert had been able to come home alive.
Theinert, 24, a 2004 graduate of Shelter Island High School, died in Afghanistan's southern province of
Kandahar Thursday when his vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, an uncle said Saturday.
"My biggest regret is we didn't get to see each other as often as we used to," said the uncle, John Skovira,
of Park Ridge, N.J. "The only consolation I have is he was doing what he wanted to do."
Coffin arrives at Dover
Members of Theinert's family from Long Island traveled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware Saturday,
where the coffin bearing his remains arrived.
Theinert was the second soldier from the East End to die in Iraq or Afghanistan. In April 2008, Lance Cpl.
Jordan Haerter, 19, a native of Sag Harbor, and a fellow Marine were killed in Iraq when they fended off a
truck bomb that was targeting a compound in Ramadi that housed scores of Marines and Iraqi police.
At least 13 Long Islanders have been killed in the war in Afghanistan, according to a Newsday tabulation.
Theinert had earned his commission through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at the University
at Albany, where he studied history before graduating last spring, Skovira said.
Only weeks before his death, Theinert had met with Afghan tribesmen as part of the NATO-American effort
to encourage local cooperation in opposing Taliban insurgents.
"We have no informants right now," Theinert told an Agence France-Presse reporter in the Kandahar village
of Berlanday. "We're still working on it. We have been here a month.
"They'll eventually come around," Theinert said. "They don't know you. They don't trust you when you first
arrive."
Remembered by friend
Saturday, his friend Anthony Rando, 22, spoke about how Theinert helped him overcome the isolation he
felt after moving to the close-knit Shelter Island community eight years ago. Later, when Rando's family
planned to open their Sweet Tomato's restaurant, Theinert spent months helping them renovate.
"Him and his brother Jimbo were one of the first people to befriend me and make me feel comfortable on
the island," Rando said. "I could always depend on him."
Theinert's maternal grandfather, Joseph Skovira, a 50-year resident of Hempstead, was a Pearl Harbor
survivor. From 1946 to 1978, he operated Zoli's, a Hempstead restaurant popular with Mitchel Air Force
base aviators. He died in 1994.
A strapping 6-foot-3 athlete, Theinert played high school basketball and lacrosse, said Rando, a teammate
on the school's cross-country team.
Basketball coach Mike Mundy praised the slain soldier Saturday as a man of solid values who possessed a
social consciousness.
"He was just what you'd expect a kid who would grow up to be an officer to be," Mundy said.
"He was just a real good kid," Mundy said. "And he was too young."
1. Charlie from Brooklyn says:
May God bless this brave soldier and his family. My family, my children are safer because of
Joseph’s sacrifice. Joseph and the other men and women like him are “All Our Sons.” They are
America’s sons. We promise to keep Joseph’s memory alive, to support his brothers in arms, their
missions and their families. There is real evil in this world and US Army 1st Lt. Joseph Theinert has
helped to destroy evil in our time. Thank you Joseph and may you live in your family’s hearts and in
the hearts of all Americans forever. The Gili Family Brooklyn
IN AFGHANISTAN, COMRADES REMEMBER LT. JOSEPH JAMES
THEINERT
By Chris Hondros l Published: Friday, June 11 2010 09:51
AFGHANISTAN -- There's no chapel at the tiny Army outpost in Belanday, Afghanistan, so they had the
memorial service under the canvas and steel shed where they work on the trucks. The day before, soldiers
swept it out, hung shade nets and assembled simple plywood benches. The next morning a booming
helicopter arrived, carrying high-ranking officers from nearby Kandahar Air Field. The memorial ceremony
began precisely at 10 am, as planned.
At the front of the shed was a familiar scene in Afghanistan: an assault rifle mounted vertically, a helmet on
its stock, and tan desert boots at its base. From the weapon hung dog tags--the dog tags of First Lieutenant
Joseph Theinert, who had been killed four days before during an insurgent attack near the base. Theinert
headed a platoon in a cavalry regiment of the Army's storied 10th Mountain Division; many of his comrades
wore Stetson hats and spurs, a throwback to the equestrian roots of the Army's cavalry troops.
The service opened with a quiet prayer, and then Theinert's commanders and friends took turns at a lectern
next to the memorial stand, eulogizing him with short reminisces. One remembered his all-American
demeanor: in high school he was the student council president and prom king. Others mentioned his easy
smile, his sense of humor and his ability to make the people around him feel comfortable, a skill he used
with the twenty soldiers under his command in his platoon.
After the speakers finished, they held the Last Roll Call: a gruff-voiced First Sergeant somewhere in the
crowd bellowed out the name of one of his men; that soldier called back in a sharp retort. The sergeant
called another man; he too called back instantly. Then the sergeant called out: "Lieutenant Theinert!
The shed was quiet.
"Lieutenant Joseph Theinert!"
More silence.
"Lieutenant Joseph James Theinert!"
Only the dusty wind answered. A line of seven soldiers standing outside fired their rifles three times into the
air.
Finally, in pairs, the officers in the room approached the memorial stand. They serenely saluted in unison,
and turned away crisply. The group of enlisted soldiers in the platoon that Theinert had commanded
approached the dais warily, many of them red-eyed behind dark sunglasses. Several of them grasped
Theinert's dog tags, pulling the chain taught. Most were young; a few of them are still teenagers.
First Lieutenant Joseph Theinert, of Long Island, New York, was killed June 4 during a mission in the desert
badlands south of Kandahar. He had just arrived in Afghanistan the month before, his first tour of duty. He
was 24 years old.
Photos by Chris Hondros
Members of Patriot Guard Riders stand
Members of the Patriot Guard Riders stand at attention during the funeral service for 1st Lt. Joseph J.
Theinert at the Shelter Island School, Friday, June 11, 2010 in Shelter Island, N.Y. Theinert, 24, was killed
by a makeshift bomb June 4, 2010 in Afghanistan
Members of the New York Fire Department stand at attention during the funeral service for 1st Lt. Joseph J.
Theinert at the Shelter Island School, Friday,
High school friends of of 1st Lt. Joseph J. Theinert pay their respects at his casket during his funeral service
at Our Lady of the Isle cemetery, Friday,June 11, 2010 in Shelter Island, N.Y. Theinert, 24, was killed by a
makeshift bomb last June 4, 2010 in Afghanistan
Sign honors 1st Lt. Joseph J. Theinert home
A sign honors 1st Lt. Joseph J. Theinert home Friday, June 11, 2010 in Shelter Island, N.Y. Theinert, 24,
was killed by a makeshift bomb last June 4, 2010 in Afghanistan
Members of armed forces honor guard carry casket ...
Members of the armed forces honor guard carry the casket of 1st Lt. Joseph J. Theinert during his funeral
service at Our Lady of the Isle cemetery, Friday,June 11, 2010 in Shelter Island, N.Y. Theinert, 24, was
killed by a makeshift bomb last June 4, 2010 in Afghanistan.
Members of Shelter Island Fire Department
Members of the Shelter Island Fire Department pay their respects at the casket of 1st Lt. Joseph J. Theinert
during his funeral service at Our Lady ofthe Isle cemetery, Friday, June 11, 2010 in Shelter Island, N.Y.
Theinert, 24, was killed by a makeshift bomb last June 4, 2010 in Afghanistan.
Flag flies at mast before funeral service
The flag flies at half mast outside the American legion before the funeral service for 1st Lt. Joseph J.
Theinert, Friday, June 11, 2010 in Shelter Island,N.Y. Theinert, 24, was killed by a makeshift bomb last
June 4, 2010 in Afghanistan.
Sign welcomes 1st Lt. Joseph J. Theinert home
A sign welcomes 1st Lt. Joseph J. Theinert home Friday, June 11, 2010 in Shelter Island, N.Y. Theinert, 24,
was killed by a makeshift bomb last June4, 2010 in Afghanistan.
Member of armed forces honor guard salutes
A member of the armed forces honor guard salutes James Theinert, third from right and Chrystyna Kestler,
foruth from right, parents of 1st Lt. Joseph J.Theinert, during his funeral service at Our Lady of the Isle
cemetery, Friday, June 11, 2010 in Shelter Island, N.Y. Theinert, 24, was killed by a makeshift bomb last
June 4, 2010 in Afghanistan.
Joseph J. Theinert
Friends and family of 1st Lt. Joseph J. Theinert watch his casket be loaded into the hearse after his funeral
service at the Shelter Island School, Friday,June 11, 2010 in Shelter Island, N.Y. Theinert, 24, was killed by
a makeshift bomb last June 4, 2010 in Afghanistan.
UAlbany graduate called a war hero
History major who joined Army was killed Friday in combat in Afghanistan
By PAUL GRONDAHL, Staff writer
First published in print: Friday, June 11, 2010
ALBANY-- First Lt. Joseph Theinert, 24, a 2008 graduate of the University at Albany, who died in combat
Friday in Afghanistan, will be laid to rest today in his hometown of Shelter Island off Long Island.
He is being hailed as a hero for saving lives among his 20-soldier platoon. They were on patrol in
Kandahar and came under fire by a rocket-propelled grenade. Theinert left his vehicle and ordered his
troops to retreat to a safe distance while he disabled an improvised explosive device; he was killed when
a second IED detonated. He was the only casualty. He is expected to be awarded a Purple Heart
posthumously.
"You scared?" Theinert's little brother, James, asked Theinert at Fort Drum just before he was deployed
to Afghanistan earlier this spring.
"Nope; born to it," Theinert replied.
When the Army officer caught himself getting emotional as his mother's tears flowed and she got choked
up saying her goodbyes in front of his platoon, he stopped her short: "Mom, suck it up. I have to be strong
for my men."
His mother said that was his mantra. "He was all about his men," she said.
Theinert was a member of the New York Army National Guard who volunteered for active duty with the
Army's 1st Squadron, 71st Calvary, part of the 1st Brigade Team of the 10th Mountain Division based at
Fort Drum.
Several of Theinert's classmates, friends and military colleagues from the Capital Region will travel to the
funeral today, which will be held on the grounds of Shelter Island High School, where he was a threesport athlete, student council president and prom king who graduated in 2004.
A majority of the island's population of about 2,000, as well as hundreds of visitors, are expected for a
military procession along Route 114 and a 1 p.m. funeral, followed by burial at Our Lady of the Isle
Cemetery and a reception at the American Legion Hall.
On Wednesday evening, a crowd of people waited in a steady rain to witness Theinert's flag-draped
casket arrive at Shelter Island. The ferry Southern Cross was escorted by a maritime honor guard of U.S.
Coast Guard and other vessels that lined the ferry channel. The ferry was driven by Theinert's 22-year-old
brother, known as Jimbo, who also graduated from UAlbany. The two brothers worked summers on the
ferry. The Southern Cross will be officially renamed the 1st Lt. Joseph J. Theinert.
Theinert's mother, Chrystyna Theinert Kestler, said she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support
for her son from across the state.
"People at the University at Albany and Siena College both reached out to our family and I really
appreciated that," she said, adding that both schools discussed with her the possibility of some type of
memorial on their campuses for Theinert at a later date.
"At UAlbany, he was known as a caring individual and good friend, and as a leader who wanted to serve
his country in the military. His death is a tragic loss, deeply felt by all who loved him. On behalf of the
University, I am extending our heartfelt condolences to his family," said George M. Philip, president of
UAlbany, where Theinert majored in history.
While he took a full load of courses at UAlbany, he completed demanding ROTC courses and training at
Siena.
"Joey was a really, really special person," his mother said. "You have to learn to embrace the pain and
fear of having a son in the military. Our worst nightmare has come true. We're shattered."
Asked how she has managed to hold it together emotionally in the days leading up to the funeral, she
echoed the last words she heard her son speak in person to her at Fort Drum.
"I'm sucking it up and staying strong for Joey," she said. "When the funeral is over, I'll probably collapse
into a puddle."
Paul Grondahl can be reached at 454-5623 or by e-mail at pgrondahl@timesunion.com.
Memorial fund
The Theinert-Kestler family requests that any donations be sent to:
Theinert Memorial Scholarship Fund, Shelter Island School, P.O. Box 2015, Shelter Island, NY 11964.
They also asked people to write letters of support to the soldiers in Theinert's platoon. They can be sent
to his commanding officer:
Capt. Jon Villasenor, Bravo Troop, 1-71 CAV, APOAE 09355
The Patriot Guard Riders break formation to make way for the local veterans of the
American Legion Mitchell Post 281.
© Copyright 1996-2010
The East Hampton Star
153 Main Street
East Hampton, NY 11937
Shelter Island Soldier Remembered
By Taylor K. Vecsey
(June 12, 2010) Over 1,000 mourners turned out for the funeral for New York Army National Guard
First Lt. Joseph J. Theinert on his hometown of Shelter Island on Friday.
Lieutenant Theinert was reportedly killed after telling fellow soldiers to stay back while he disabled
an improvised explosive device while on patrol in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on June 4. A second
I.E.D. exploded, ending his life.
Taylor K. Vecsey
New York Army National Guard First Lt. Joseph J. Theinert, who was
killed in Afghanistan on June 4, was buried on Friday.
Assigned to the Army's 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment,
which is part of the 10th Mountain Division, he had been in the province about a month.
At Friday's service, his family, friends, classmates, and townspeople sat under a white tent on the
grounds of the Shelter Island School. Volunteer firefighters in their class-A uniforms and veterans
with the American Legion Post on Shelter Island with their Eisenhower-style jackets and caps stood
in formation throughout the nearly two-hour funeral and Mass. Mothers and fathers who had also lost
their children in combat, known as gold-star parents, including JoAnn Lyles and Christian Heaerter,
whose son Marine Lance Corporal Jordan C. Haerter was killed in Iraq in 2008, sat in the first row
near his family.
Patriot Guard Riders stood around the tent holding large American flags on staffs above their heads.
Police officers from several departments in Suffolk County stood watch, concerned about the threat of a
protest by a religious extremist group, which did not show up. The small town seemed to come to a
standstill on the day of mourning.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, "Star Spangled Banner" and "America the Beautiful," the Rev.
Peter DeSantctis of Our Lady of the Isle Church said a Mass. Lieutenant Theinert's brothers and
high school basketball coach then gave eulogies. The lieutenant was the first soldier from Shelter
Island to be killed in combat since 1967.
Durell Godfrey
A procession carrying Lieutenant Theinert's remains was greeted
by a large crowd as it passed through Sag Harbor on Thursday.
James Theinert, known to his friends as Jimbo, cried as he spoke to the crowd about his older
brother, who, he said, was also his best friend. Close in age, they were "Irish twins," he said, always
having fun and cracking jokes together. He described his brother as selfless, brave, and proud. He
was someone who held himself accountable and was "full of character and principles all the way
to his core," he said.
He said he wasn't surprised by his brother's actions in Afghanistan. "He never once thought about
himself. He never wanted to be the center of attention," he said. "He just went ahead and did it.
That was Joe," he said. "He was my better half and he was my protector."
He recalled a semester during college when Mr. Theinert was studying in Ireland, and they met
there to see other parts of Europe. Mr. Theinert planned the trip for them both. The one place he insisted
on visiting was Normandy, France, to visit the World War II American cemetery and memorial.
Because his brother was a history buff, the request was no surprise. When they got there, James
Theinert said, "it seemed he stopped to pay respect at every grave. He saw each gravestone was for
a man that gave his life for his country."
Yet, his brother said, Mr. Theinert always seemed surprised when people he ran into on the street
thanked him for his military service. "He would have a weird look on his face, like, 'Why are they
thanking me?' He didn't know how great he was."
Unwavering in his beliefs, he was always himself and spoke his mind "even when it was inappropriate
sometimes," his brother said.. He said the lieutenant also had a somewhat "morbid sense of humor."
In fact, he often said they should open a bar called Fiddler's Green, after a favorite poem from the
1800s, sung by cavalry soldiers.
He had "an infectious personality," Mr. Theinert said. "That grin… I've been picturing that grin all
week, and I hope it stays with me because I never want to forget it," he said, choking back tears.
He hoped to keep hearing stories from friends of his brothers. "That's the hardest part. There's no
new stories coming."
Speaking to the crowd, Michael W. Mundy, a former marine who had coached Lieutenant Theinert
in basketball throughout high school, recalled the anger he felt upon receiving the news of his death.
"I wanted to run to the end of my driveway and tear down the flag," Mr. Mundy said, adding that
words like "waste" went through his mind. Then he realized, he said, that "to be angry and to use
words like waste are to dishonor Joe."
He was the type of guy who stayed late after school to help an injured custodian do his job, and
who "pursed his lips together to try harder" in a game, Mr. Mundy said.
Mr. Mundy said, "I judge my players on effort and attitude," and Lieutenant Theinert always gave his
best. Recalling the lieutenant's last game as a senior, when he scored a career-high 12 points,
Mr. Mundy said the player asked, "Why couldn't I just do this all year?"
His former player was a good-natured kid, Mr. Mundy said, and "did just enough wrong that you
didn't think there was anything weird about him." The coach was mad at him just once. "Word got
to me that Joey wanted to ask my daughter Melissa to prom. He didn't," he said with a laugh. "She
ended up going with some bozo from Greenport. Joey was the kid you wanted your daughter to
go out with."
His older brother, William Theinert, said there was some concern that he hadn't cried enough.
He said he knew it might seem strange to some, but "I've been smiling ever since he came home.
I'm glad he's home."
He left the crowd with one of his favorite quotes by George Orwell, "We sleep peaceably in our
beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on our behalf."
The overcast skies opened to blue sky, as the fallen soldier's family watched the folding of the
flag that had covered Lieutenant Theinert's coffin. The silence was broken with the rifle
party's firing of a three-volley salute and a bugler played "Taps" while the final salute was given.
Then a Suffolk County helicopter flew low over the treetops, followed by a military one.
An honor guard presented the folded American flag to his mother, Chrystyna Kestler of Mattituck,
as she stood in between her husband, Dr. Frank Kestler, who served in Iraq in 2008, and
Lieutenant Theinert's father, James Theinert of Noyac. Mr. Theinert was also presented with a
folded flag before Mrs. Kestler addressed the group of mourners at the graveside.
She thanked the Shelter Island and Sag Harbor communities for the outpouring of support in
remembering this "valiant, brave and courageous man, who was my little boy." As the family left,
she kissed her hand, and then she touched her son's coffin.
A message from Town Supervisor Jim Dougherty
The remains of our fallen friend and neighbor, Army first Lieutenant Joseph Theinert,
will arrive at Zabreski Airport at 2:30pm today, Wednesday. The procession will travel
through South Fork Towns, arriving at South Ferry an hour or so later.
The procession will disembark at South Ferry sometime after 4:00pm and proceed up
Route 114 to Our Lady of the Isle Church. Our Church bells will sound upon Joey's
arrival home to Shelter Island.
There will be a wake at Our Lady of the Isle Church from 2pm-9pm on Thursday, June
10th.
I am here by declaring Friday, June 11th a Town Day of Mourning as the funeral
services for Joey Theinert will be held commencing at 1:00pm.
Check this website and the Shelter Island Reporter websitewww.sireporter.com for up to the minute details.
We are united in grief and hope at this sad time.
Jim Dougherty
DOUGHERTY CALLS FOR DAY OF MOURNING
The Town of Shelter Island will pause to honor fallen soldier
A message from Town Supervisor Jim Dougherty:
The Town of Shelter Island with tremendous humility and overwhelming grief salutes
Army first Lieutenant Joseph Theinert for showing unqualified bravery, unhesitating
concern for the men in his charge and self sacrifice on the battlefields of Afghanistan.
Lt. Theinert paid the ultimate price.
We also extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Joey Theinert and send our
assurance of every measure of support and assistance in your time of sorrow. Please
call on us.
I am declaring the day of Joe's funeral, a Town Day of Mourning. Essential services
only will be provided on that date as we all unite , pause and come together to honor
this fine gentleman on the day he is laid to rest. Please check this web site and this
Thursday's Reporter for details.
Words are totally inadequate at a time like this. I will conclude by assuring his grief
stricken family that Army First Lieutenant Joseph Theinert will live on in our hearts and
in our memories here on Shelter Island as a vivid example of a short but full life lived
with love, decency and yes, nobility. May we all strive to live each of our own lives a
little better, guided by Joey's example, as we move forward from this sad time. Jim
Dougherty
Joseph J. Theinert
THEINERT - Joseph J., 1LT., a Bronze Star and Purple Heartrecipient of Shelter Island and
Sag Harbor, L.I. on June 4, 2010 in Kandahar, Afghanistan while in service to our country at
the age of 24. Beloved son of James Theinert and Cathy Hanly-Forde and Chrystyna and
Frank Kestler. Cherished grandson of Patricia and the late William Theinert and Chrystyna
and the lateJoseph F. Skovira. Loving brother of James "Jimbo" Theinert,William J. Theinert and Christine
Cava, Nicholas E. Kestler,Jacqueline L. Kestler, Francis A. Kestler, Jr., Jason Hanly-Forde, Zoe Hanly-Forde
and Barry Hanly-Forde. Also survived by the officers and men of Bravo Troop1-71CAV, 1st Brigade, 10th
Mountain Division. The family will receive friends on Thursday, June 10th from 2 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Our
Lady of the Isle Roman Catholic Church, 1 Prospect Place, Shelter Island Heights,N.Y. 11965. The Liturgy of
Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 11th at 1 p.m. at the Shelter Island School, 33 N. Ferry
Road (Route 114), Shelter Island, NY 11964. Interment, with US Army honors, will follow in Our Lady of the
Isle R.C. Cemetery on Shelter Island. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Theinert Memorial Fund, c/o
Shelter Island School, P.O. Box 2015, Shelter Island, NY 11964 (Please make check payable to the Shelter
Island School and place the name Theinert Memorial Fund in the memo) or the Wounded Warrior Project.
Condolences may be sent to the Kestler-Theinert Family, P.O. Box 604, ShelterIsland Heights, NY 11965 or
defriestgrattan@optonline.net. Additional information available at www.fallensoldiersi.com.Funeral
services entrusted to The Shelter Island Funeral Home, 23 West Neck Road, Shelter Island, NY 11964.
Sgt. Erick J. Klusacek
Hometown: Calcium, New York, U.S.
Age: 22 years old
Died: June 8, 2010 in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Unit: Army, 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne
Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Incident: Died at Gerda Serai, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident.
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
On the Web:
Public contact:
http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=13595
http://www.defense.gov/landing/comment.aspx
Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 478-10
June 10, 2010
DOD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring
Freedom.
Sgt. Erick J. Klusacek, 22, of Calcium, N.Y., died June 8 at Gerda Serai, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained
from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade
Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
For more information related to this release, the media may contact the Fort Campbell public affairs office at
270-798-3025.
Fort Campbell Soldier Killed In Afghanistan
Posted: Jun 10, 2010 4:19 PM EDT
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - The Department of Defense said a Fort Campbell soldier has been
killed in Afghanistan.
Sergeant Erick J. Klusacek died June 8 at Gerda Serai, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from
a non-combat related incident.
He was assigned to the First Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, Third Brigade Combat Team,
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Klusaceck was 22 years-old and originally from Calcium, New York. He joined the Army in May
2007 and arrived at Fort Campbell in October 2007.
Klusacek is survived by his wife Amber L. Klusacek and daughter, Makella L. Klusacek along
with his parents Shelia D. Kusacek and Ronald E. Klusacek.
WZTV FOX 17 - TOP STORIES
Five Fort Campbell Soldiers were killed in an improvised explosive
device attack in Afghanistan on June 7.
Military officials have not yet released the names of those five soldiers.
Officials have released the name of another soldier killed in a non-combat related incident.
They say 22 year old Sgt. Erick J. Klusacek, of Calcium, N.Y., died June 8 in a vehicle incident in Gerda
Serai, Afghanistan.
He was a cavalry scout assigned Bravo Troop, 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat
Team. He joined the Army in May 2007 and arrived at Fort Campbell in October 2007.
Klusacek is survived by his wife Amber Klusacek and daughter, Makella Klusacek of Watertown, N.Y; and
parents Shelia Kusacek and Ronald Klusacek of Evans Mills, N.Y.
A memorial service will be held in Afghanistan. Thursday, June 10 2010, 02:48 PM CDT
Jefferson County soldier dies in Afghanistan
Published: Thursday, June 10, 2010, 3:51 PM
Dave Tobin / The Post-Standard
Updated: Thursday, June 10, 2010, 3:55 PM
Sgt. Erick J. Klusacek, 22, of Calcium, N.Y., in Jefferson County, died June 8 at Gerda Serai,
Afghanistan. Klusacek died of injuries from a non-combat related incident.
He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team,
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
PRIOR: ANA Repels Insurgent Attack
Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO
Story by Pfc. Christopher McKenna
Date: 05.10.2010
Posted: 05.10.2010 02:27
KHOST PROVINCE, Afghanistan– Afghan national army soldiers with the assistance of U.S.
Soldiers from Troop B, 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team,
101st Airborne Division, reacted to an ambush, killing seven insurgent forces, in the KhostGardez Pass, May 8.
The combined forces initially engaged the attacking enemy with small arms fire, causing the
militants to flee. The escape route for the insurgents was blocked, and the ANA forces were
able to locate, engage and destroy the enemy combatants.
"Our platoon and the ANA were able to maneuver in difficult terrain against the enemy –
establish fire superiority and successfully deny the enemy the ability to harass and influence
the local population," said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Joseph Witcher, from Burlington, Ky., and a
platoon leader with Trp. B, 1-33rd CAV.
In addition to the seven enemy combatants killed, ANA units confiscated several rocket
propelled grenade launchers, one medium machine gun, multiple AK-47 magazines and a
couple radios.
"There is a reason we drill and train every day," said U.S. Army Sgt. Erick Klusacek, from Fort
Campbell, Ky., and a team leader with Trp. B. "Out there, everything became muscle memory
and we were able to outthink and destroy the enemy."
Along with confiscating multiple items that could be used against the local Afghans and
coalition forces, the ANA and U.S. were able to gain a greater insight into the tactics,
techniques and procedures of the enemy.
"ANA and U.S. Forces working together did their best to destroy and detain the enemy," said
Afghan National Army 1st Lt. Hakim Ahmadi, platoon leader with 6th Kandak, 1st Brigade,
203rd ANA Corps.
Fort Campbell soldier dies in non-combat incident
SUBMITTED BY JAY THOMAS • JUNE 10, 2010
FORT CAMPBELL - The Department of Defense confirmed the death of a 101st Airborne Division Soldier,
who died June 8 in a vehicle incident in Gerda Serai, Afghanistan.
Sgt. Erick J. Klusacek, 22, of Calcium, N.Y. was a cavalry scout assigned Bravo Troop, 1st Squadron, 33rd
Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. He joined the Army in May 2007 and arrived at Fort
Campbell in October 2007.
His awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal w/ Oak Leaf
Cluster; Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Iraq
Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Noncommissioned Officers Professional
Development Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; NATO Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Combat Action
Badge; Driver and Mechanic Badge (driver/wheeled vehicle) and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert.
Klusacek is survived by his wife Amber L. Klusacek and daughter; Makella L. Klusacek of Watertown, N.Y;
and parents Shelia D. Kusacek and Ronald E. Klusacek of Evans Mills, N.Y.
A memorial service will be held in Afghanistan.
Kentucky-based soldier from New York killed in eastern Afghanistan
Thursday, June 10th, 2010 at 9:34 pm | BNO News |
By BNO News
FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY (BNO NEWS) -- A Kentucky-based soldier from New York was killed
in an accident on Tuesday, the U.S. Army confirmed on Thursday.
Sergeant Erick J. Klusacek, 22, of Calcium, New York was killed in a vehicle accident in Gerdai Serai, a
district in eastern Afghanistan's Paktia Province. Klusacek was a cavalry scout assigned Bravo Troop, 1st
Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort
Campbell, Kentucky.
Klusacek joined the Army in May 2007 and arrived at Fort Campbell in October 2007. He received
numerous awards and decorations, including the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement
Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the
Afghanistan Campaign Medial, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and
others.
Klusacek is survived by his wife Amber L. Klusacek and daughter; Makella L. Klusacek of Watertown, New
York. He is also survived by his parents Shelia D. Kusacek and Ronald E. Klusacek of Evans Mills, New
York.
He was the 238th coalition service member to have been killed in Afghanistan so far this year. Most of them,
150, were from the United States and died in hostile incidents in southern Afghanistan.
Also on Thursday, an unidentified NATO soldier was killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) attack
in southern Afghanistan, raising the total coalition death toll to 244 so far this year.
(Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast,
rewritten or redistributed without explicit prior permission from BNO News B.V. Contact
sales@bnonews.com for more information about subscriptions.)
Son of Local Family Killed in Afghanistan
Contributor: Holly Boname Last Update: 6/10 4:38 pm
A vechicle accident in Gerda Serai, Afghanistan has claimed the life of a local soldier.
Calcium native, Sgt. Erick J. Klusacek, 22, died June 8 at Gerda Serai, Afghanistan after sustaining injuries from the
non-combat related accident.
Sgt. Klusacek, was a cavalry scout with the Bravo Troop, 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat
Team.
His many awards and honors include:
*Army Commendation Medal
*Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
*Army Good Conduct Medal
*National Defense Service Medal
*Afghanistan Campaign Medal
*Iraq Campaign Medal
*Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
*Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon
*Overseas Service Ribbon
*NATO Medal
*Army Service Ribbon
*Combat Action Badge
*Driver and Mechanic Badge (driver/wheeled vehicle) and Weapons Qualification
*M4 Expert
Sgt. Klusacek joined the Army in May 2007, arriving in Fort Campbell that October.
He is survived by wife Amber L. Klusacek and daughter Makella L. Klusacek of Watertown.
Parents Shelia D. Kusacek and Ronald E. Klusacek, of Evans Mills, owners of the UPS Stores in Watertown and Evans
Mills posted signs on UPS store doors Wednesday explained the family’s loss. Stores were closed early Wednesday
afternoon.
Fort Campbell released that there will be a memorial service held in Afghanistan.
Copyright 2010 Newport Television LLC All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten,
or redistributed.
http://www.wwnytv.com/news/local/95955759.html
Kentucky-based soldier from New York killed in eastern Afghanistan
Thursday, June 10th, 2010
FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY (BNO NEWS) — A Kentucky-based soldier from New York was killed
in an accident on Tuesday, the U.S. Army confirmed on Thursday.
Sergeant Erick J. Klusacek, 22, of Calcium, New York was killed in a vehicle accident in Gerdai Serai, a
district in eastern Afghanistan’s Paktia Province. Klusacek was a cavalry scout assigned Bravo Troop, 1st
Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort
Campbell, Kentucky.
Klusacek joined the Army in May 2007 and arrived at Fort Campbell in October 2007. He received
numerous awards and decorations, including the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement
Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the
Afghanistan Campaign Medial, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and
others.
Klusacek is survived by his wife Amber L. Klusacek and daughter; Makella L. Klusacek of Watertown, New
York. He is also survived by his parents Shelia D. Kusacek and Ronald E. Klusacek of Evans Mills, New
York.
He was the 238th coalition service member to have been killed in Afghanistan so far this year. Most of them,
150, were from the United States and died in hostile incidents in southern Afghanistan.
Sgt. Erick J. Klusacek, 22, Watertown
SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2010
Sgt. Erick J. Klusacek, 22, of Bonney Road, Watertown, died June 8 in Afghanistan.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at New Hope Baptist Church of Watertown with the Rev. Patricia
Walz, pastor of Brownville United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be with full military honors in
Brownville Cemetery.
Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Johnson Funeral Home, Dexter. Donations
may be made to Children of Fallen Soldiers, 3200 Earhart Dr. Carrollton, Texas 75006.
Sgt. Erick J. Klusacek
June 13, 2010
WATERTOWN, N.Y. — Sgt. Erick J. Klusacek, 22, of the Bonney
Road, died Tuesday, June 8, in Afghanistan of injuries sustained from
a non-combat related incident while supporting Operation Enduring
Freedom.
Born Jan. 2, 1988, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the son of Ronald E.
and Sheila D. Bagnell Klusacek, he graduated from General Brown
Central High School.
He entered the Army in May 2007 and served proudly as a Cavalry
Scout in both Iraq and Afghanistan where he was currently deployed.
He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd
Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort
Campbell, Ky.
Erick married Amber L. Shannon on Sept. 28, 2007, in Alexandria
Bay.
Surviving are his wife, Amber; a daughter, Makella L. Klusacek, Glen Park; his parents, Ronald
and Sheila Klusacek, Watertown; three brothers and a sister-in-law, Kris and Tiffany Klusacek, Fort
Campbell, Kentycky, Kyle T. Klusacek and Nick T. Klusacek, both at home; his paternal
grandparents, George and Gerry Camp, Little Rock, Ark.; maternal grandparents, John and Sigrid
Bagnell, Palm Bay, Fla.; and several aunts and uncles and cousins also survive; a niece, Sabrina
Klusacek, Ft. Campbell, Ky.; and his mother-in-law, Tina Shannon, Glen Park.
He was predeceased by his maternal grandmother Florence Bagnell in 1992 and his father-in-law
David Shannon in 2009.
Erick was a unique individual, full of love , full of life. He could put a smile on anyone's face with his
quick sense of humor and jokes. He was one you could never stay mad at.
Erick so loved his family and his country. His daughter Makella was his shining star. She in her
own way is a mirror image of her dad.
Erick loved serving his country and helping fellow soldiers. The world will be a sadder place without
him. He will be missed and always will be remembered by all the people he touched. Even though
his life was cut short, we know Erick is resting in peace knowing he had such a fun and fulfilling
life and a family that loved him dearly.
Please join us in remembering Erick, and celebrating his life.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, June 18, at New Hope Baptist Church of Watertown with
Rev. Patricia Walz, pastor of Brownville United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be with full
military honors in Brownville Cemetery. Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, June
17, at Johnson Funeral Home, Dexter.
Donations may be made to Children of Fallen Soldiers, 3200 Earhart Dr. Carrollton, Texas 75006
or to the Makella L. Klusacek Trust c/o Amber Klusacek, 524 Church St., Glen Park, N.Y. 13601.
Information provided by Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., and Newzjunky.com, Watertown, N.Y.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buQhH0uvAjk
http://www.wwnytv.com/news/ftdrum/95955759.html
The Department of Defense announced the death of a Fort Campbell, Kentucky soldier who was
supporting Operation Enduring Freedom:
Sgt. Erick J. Klusacek, 22
died June 8 at Gerda Serai, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related vehicle
accident. Klusacek was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat
Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), based in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Sgt. Erick Klusaceka, a paratrooper and cavalry scout assigned to Bravo Troop, had survived many
dangerous combat missions. Last week his family was devastated to hear he unexpectedly died in a
vehicle accident in Afghanistan.
According to The Clarksville Leaf Chronicle, Erick Klusacek joined the Army in May 2007 and arrived at
Fort Campbell in October 2007. Klusacek lived with his wife and young daughter in Watertown, New
York.
The news of Klusaceka's fatal accident came a day after five Fort Campbell soldiers were killed in an
improvised explosive device attack in Afghanistan. These deaths came only days after another Fort
Campbell-based soldier was killed last weekend. Second Lt. Michael McGahan, 23, died in a gun battle
in southeastern Afghanistan.
Sgt. Erick Klusaceka received numerous awards and decorations, including the Army Commendation
Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and others.
Among those Sgt. Klusacek leaves behind are his wife and daughter, and his parents in Evans Mills,
New York.
Sgt. Erick Klusaceka is missed. REST IN PEACE.
*Updated* Fallen Hero Returns Home
Reported by: Holly Boname Last Update: 6/16 4:26 pm
The body of a local fallen soldier returned home from Afghanistan on Wednesday morning.
A funeral procession for Sgt. Eric J. Klusacek left Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield on Fort Drum at 9:30 a.m slowly
proceeding to Johnson Funeral Home in Dexter.
Family, friends and fellow Armed Forces joined the Klusacek family making their way from Fort Drum to Dexter on
the rainy morning to honor Sgt. Klusacek and bring his body home to lay rest.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, June 17 at Johnson Funeral Home from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and again from 7 p.m.
until 9 p.m.
Funeral services for Klusacek will be held on Friday, June 18 at 11 a.m. at New Hope Baptist Church in Watertown.
Pastor of the Brownville United Methodist Church, Reverend Patricia Walz will be officiating the ceremony, followed
by burial including complete military honors at the Brownville Cemetary.
Originally from Calcium, Sgt. Eric J. Klusacek, 22, died on June 8 at Gerda Serai, Afghanistan after a non-combat
related vehicle accident.
Sgt. Klusacek, was a cavalry scout with the Bravo Troop, 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, and 3rd Brigade
Combat Team.
He is survived by wife Amber L. Klusacek and daughter Makella L Klusacek of Watertown, and parents Shelia D.
Klusacek and Ronald E. Klusacek, of Evans Mills.
Copyright 2010 Newport Television LLC All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten,
or redistributed.
http://www.myabc50.com/mostpopular/story/Updated-Fallen-Hero-ReturnsHome/oGA7iFneS0OUMBUJb1m-iw.cspx
Lance Cpl. Michael G. Plank
Hometown: Cameron Mills, New York, U.S.
Age: 25 years old
Died: June 9, 2010 in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Unit: Marines, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary
Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Incident: Killed while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
On the Web:
Public contact:
http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=13599
http://www.defense.gov/landing/comment.aspx
Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 482-10
June 10, 2010
DOD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring
Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Michael G. Plank, 25, of Cameron Mills, N.Y., died June 9 while supporting combat operations in
Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I
Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif.
This incident is under investigation.
For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the 1st
Marine Logistics Group public affairs office at 760-763-7795.
Marine carry team carries transfer case containing ...
A Marine carry team carries a transfer case containing the remains of Lance Cpl. Michael G. Plank, 25, of
Cameron Mills, N.Y., Friday, June 11, 2010 at Dover Air Force Base, Del. According to the Department of
Defense, Plank, died June 9 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Steuben County native killed in Afghanistan
Marine is 2nd from county to die in combat this year
BY ROGER NEUMANN •RNEUMANN@GANNETT.COM • JUNE 11, 2010, 7:30 PM
A U.S. Marine who grew up in Steuben County has become the county's second victim this year of the war in
Afghanistan. Lance Cpl. Michael G. Plank, 25, who was born in Corning and lived in nearby Rathbone, was killed
Wednesday, "while supporting combat operations" in Afghanistan's Helmand province, the Department of Defense
reported.
Military and DOD sources did not release any details of his death or the operation because the incident is still under
investigation.
But Lance Cpl. Plank's brother, Jerry Plank of Elkland, said Friday that the family was told the cause of death was a
gunshot wound to the chest.
Lance Cpl. Plank, a combat engineer, was assigned to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group,
I Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Second Lt. Rebecca Burgess, a public affairs officer with the 1st Marine Logistics Group, said he entered the Marine
Corps on Feb. 23, 2009, and was sent to Afghanistan in late March this year for his first overseas assignment.
Lance Cpl. Zachary Smith, a 19-year-old Marine from Hornell, was Steuben County's first war casualty this year. He
was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on Jan. 24.
Lance Cpl. Plank grew up in Cameron Mills and Rathbone and attended Addison schools before he transferred in
August 2003 to Elkland High School for his senior year.
His mother, Kathleen Parker, still lives in Cameron Mills, Jerry Plank said. He said their father, Gerald Plank, lives in
Lawrenceville.
Lance Cpl. Plank and his brothers -- Jerry, 23, and Dominic, 24, of Westfield, were close, Jerry Plank said. He said all
three loved to hunt and fish.
"We were a smaller family, ...," Jerry Plank said, "and we were just a year apart, too, each of us."
He said Lance Cpl. Plank will be buried in Rathbone, but plans were incomplete as of Friday evening.
"There's a small cemetery a few hundred yards from where he lived," Jerry said.
"He told me he loved it there, in Rathbone. He was always hunting and fishing and stuff. He loved the spring water
there."
He said Lance Cpl. Plank, who was single, hoped to buy land and build a home there someday.
Jerry Plank said his brother was proud to serve.
"He didn't want to go (to Afghanistan), but he was pretty good at what he did and he was confident," he said. "He was
dedicated to the core to the Marine Corps."
Jerry Plank said he and other relatives sent Lance Cpl. Plank letters and packages but hadn't heard from him since he
went to war.
"Nobody I talked to received any letters from him, but we've been sending him stuff," he said.
"He would write when he was in training, but he must have been real busy. It must have been chaotic over there."
Lance Corporal Michael G. Plank
Michael G. Plank was born in Corning, New York. He grew up in the tiny hamlets of Cameron Mills
and Rathbone in New York. He attended Addison schools before he transferred in August 2003 to
Elkland High School for his senior year.
Plank entered the Marine Corps on February 23, 2009. He was assigned to the 7th Engineer
Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Camp
Pendleton, California. Lance Corporal Michael Plank started his first tour of duty in March to
Afghanistan as a combat engineer. He was scheduled to return home in October or November.
According to the Star Gazette site:
"He told me he loved it there, in Rathbone. He was always hunting and fishing and stuff. He loved
the spring water there."
He said Lance Cpl. Plank, who was single, hoped to buy land and build a home there someday.
Jerry Plank said his brother was proud to serve.
"He didn't want to go (to Afghanistan), but he was pretty good at what he did and he was
confident," he said. "He was dedicated to the core to the Marine Corps."
Michael G. Plank died June 9th while supporting combat operations in the Helmand province of
Afghanistan. He was 25 years old. His family was told the cause of death was a gunshot wound to
the chest, but the military did not release any details of his death because the incident is still under
investigation.
Plank is survived by brothers Jerry and Dominic Plank; his mother, Kathleen Parker of Cameron
Mills; his father, Gerald Plank of Lawrenceville, Pa.; and two nephews.
Plans are being made to have Lance Corporal Plank buried in Rathbone at the Northrup Street
Cemetery. The cemetery is about 100 yards from where Plank lived before he went to war as a US
Marine. He will now spend eternity near the hometown that he loved.
Body of fallen Marine coming home
By John Zick
Corning Leader
Posted Jun 15, 2010 @ 12:05 AM
provided | The Leader
Lance Cpl. Michael G. Plank served in Afghanistan.
Corning, N.Y. —
The body of a local U.S. Marine killed last week in Afghanistan has been returned to the U.S.
Lance Cpl. Michael G. Plank’s body was flown from Germany to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on
Friday.
According to the Air Force Times website, Plank’s body was transported home with four fallen U.S. airmen
who died last week when their medevac helicopter was shot down in southern Afghanistan.
According to Linda Conway of the American Red Cross, Plank’s body is currently being held at a facility
outside of Philadelphia. The Cameron Mills man’s body will receive an escort to Steuben County, likely
sometime this week.
Plank’s brother Jerry Plank said Friday his brother will be buried in Northrup Street Cemetery in Rathbone.
Plank, 25, was killed June 9 in Helmand Province. Details of his death have not been released by the
Department of Defense.
Plank was assigned to 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary
Force. He was based at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Plank was in his first tour of duty. He left the U.S. in March and was scheduled to return home in October or
November.
Copyright 2010 The Corning Leader. Some rights reserved
9d2e0623670fbd
0
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25, of Cameron Mills, N.Y.,
He died June 9 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
"We were a smaller family, and we were just a year apart, too, each of us," said one of his brother. “He was
proud to serve. He didn't want to go, but he was pretty good at what he did and he was confident," he said.
"He was dedicated to the core to the Marine Corps."
Reported by: Meagan Kolkmann
Email: meagankolkmann@wetmtv.com
Reported by: Naveen Dhaliwal
Last Update: 6/11 5:52 pm
CAMERON MILLS- A Steuben County Marine was killed while fighting the war in Afghanistan.
The Department of Defense announced Friday the death of 25 year old Lance Cpl. Michael G. Plank, of Cameron
Mills, New York.
Plank was assigned to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistic Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force,
Camp Pendleton, California. Officials aren't releasing how Plank was killed.
They say he died Wednesday, June 9th while supporting combat operations in Helmand Afghanistan.
Plank attended the Addison High School from 7th to 9th grade before transferring to a school in
Pennsylvania. His former guidance secretary had good things to say about him.
“He got along with all of the students. He was a pleasant man. He didn't get involved with sports or
governmental activities during school. He was close to his brothers,” says Tina Dickerson.
We tried to reach out to the Plank family, but were told that his mother and brother are Dover Delaware for
the arrival of Michael's body.
Officials are still investigating the death.
A hero’s return
Town welcomes home native son
By CHERYL R. CLARKE cclarke@sungazette.com POSTED: June 18, 2010
ELKLAND - This small village near the New York state line turned out in force Thursday to
welcome home a native son and fallen hero.
Family, friends and those who wanted to call themselves family of the likeable young man
who was killed while fighting the war in Afghanistan earlier this month lined the streets,
holding flags and waiting for the hearse bearing the body of 25-year-old Lance Cpl. Michael G.
Plank home to a hero's reception.
Plank was assigned to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I
Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Calif., when he was killed June 9 while
supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He had been there just two
months.
As the moments dragged on, and the hearse bearing Plank's body did not arrive, word was
received that car trouble had put the arrival back to after dark. People had been lining up
since before 6 p.m., as originally the time of arrival was 6:30.
Still, they waited for Plank, whose body was accompanied by his two brothers, mother and
father, to return from Dover, Del., where he was flown last week.
Plank was an upperclassman who "was always good for a laugh and had a big heart,"
according to schoolmate Megan Wells, 23, of Tioga, who attended school at Elkland with
Plank.
Plank transferred to Elkland from Addison, N.Y., for his senior year and graduated in 2004.
Classmate Samantha VanZile, 23, of Elkland has created a Facebook page in honor of Plank "RIP Michael 'Mullet' Plank.
"He always wore a mullet in high school," she recalled, adding that Michael was "always proud
of going into the Marines" and had a deep-rooted love for God and country.
"He'd give you the shirt off his back," she said.
Plank's best friend, "TC" Walter, said the two lived together and had done some work on their
place before Plank shipped out to Afghanistan.
"We had just gotten done sheetrocking and you could tell he didn't want to go, he had tears in
his eyes," Walter said.
Peggy Walter, TC's mother, said Plank always was at her house.
"He used to go with us to the (Pennsylvania) Grand Canyon every year, and every Christmas
Eve he was at our house," she said, tears welling up in her eyes.
Her mother, Vera Morseman, said Plank was "like a grandson" to her.
The Kenyon Funeral Home in Elkland is handling the arrangements.
Calling hours will be at Parkhurst Presbyterian Church, 302 W. Main St., Elkland, on Saturday
from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Parkhurst Presbyterian Church.
Immediately following the funeral between 2:30 and 3 p.m., Lance Cpl. Plank's body will be
taken to the Northrop Hill Cemetery in Rathbone, also known as Cameron Mills, N.Y.
The Marine Corps Honor Guard will accompany the cortege and will conduct a full honors
military committal ceremony at the cemetery.
Sympathy cards and-or memorials can be sent to Family of LCPL Michael G. Plank, 201
Pattison Ave., Apt. 4D, Elkland, PA 16920. The family has requested memorial contributions
be made to the Cowanesque Valley Rod and Gun Club, PO Box 162, Elkland, PA 16920, of
which he was a member.
Article Photos
CHERYL R. CLARKE/Sun-Gazette
Lauren Bissonenette of Woodhull, N.Y., and her daughter Alexis, 10, hold signs honoring Lance Cpl.
Michael Plank in Elkland Thursday afternoon.
Fallen Marine will be buried Sunday
STAFF REPORT • JUNE 17, 2010, 11:20 AM
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Michael G. Plank, who was killed in combat June 9 in Afghanistan, will be buried with full
military honors Sunday at the Northrop Hill Cemetery in Rathbone, in eastern Steuben County. The burial will follow
a funeral service at 2 p.m. at Parkhurst Presbyterian Church, 302 W. Main St. in Elkland.
Calling hours are scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the church.
Lance Cpl. Plank, who was born in Corning and was a 2004 graduate of Elkland Area High School, had been in
Afghanistan since late March. The Marine Corps has not released any details of his death, but his brother Jerry Plank
of Elkland said Friday the family was told the cause of death was a gunshot to the chest.
The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the Cowanesque Valley Rod & Gun Club, of which
Lance Cpl. Plank was a member. The address is P.O. Box 162, Elkland, PA, 16920.
Military Wall Of Honor: DoD Identifies Marine Casualty - LCpl. Michael G. Plank
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty - LCpl. Michael G. Plank
2010년 6월 13일 일요일 오전 10:43
Mike told his family and friends that he wasn’t going to be a career Marine, but few believed him. “Everyone told him
he was going to be a lifer because he was so dedicated and excelled at what he was doing,” Plank’s brother said.
Michael did remain a Marine for the rest of his life, and finished his Mission in Helmand province on June 9th when a
gunshot to the chest killed him.
The Department of Defense said it is investigating the incident, which occurred in the lawless Helmand Province,
where a 7-year-old Afghan boy was reportedly hanged Wednesday by Taliban fighters who said the boy was a spy.
Public affairs specialist Lt. Rebecca Burgess said she could not say if Plank’s death was accidental or the result of
hostile action. She also said she could not say if others were killed in the same incident.
LCpl. Plank enlisted in the Marine Corps two years ago and was on his first combat deployment.
He was proud and honored to be a Marine his brother said, adding that he graduated at the top of his Marine class.
His Mom and one of his brothers have gone to Dover to meet Mike and bring him home.
Rest In Peace LCpl. Michael G. Plank. Thank you for your bravery and ultimate sacrifice. Your courage and patriotism
will not be forgotten ad your family remains in our prayers.
Sincerely,
Pat
Steuben County native killed in Afghanistan
Marine is 2nd from county to die in combat this year
BY ROGER NEUMANN •RNEUMANN@GANNETT.COM • JUNE 11, 2010, 7:30 PM
A U.S. Marine who grew up in Steuben County has become the county's second victim this year of the war in Afghanistan.
Lance Cpl. Michael G. Plank, 25, who was born in Corning and lived in nearby Rathbone, was killed Wednesday, "while
supporting combat operations" in Afghanistan's Helmand province, the Department of Defense reported.
Military and DOD sources did not release any details of his death or the operation because the incident is still under investigation.
But Lance Cpl. Plank's brother, Jerry Plank of Elkland, said Friday that the family was told the cause of death was a gunshot
wound to the chest.
Lance Cpl. Plank, a combat engineer, was assigned to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, based in Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Second Lt. Rebecca Burgess, a public affairs officer with the 1st Marine Logistics Group, said he entered the Marine Corps on
Feb. 23, 2009, and was sent to Afghanistan in late March this year for his first overseas assignment.
Lance Cpl. Zachary Smith, a 19-year-old Marine from Hornell, was Steuben County's first war casualty this year. He was killed by
a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on Jan. 24.
Lance Cpl. Plank grew up in Cameron Mills and Rathbone and attended Addison schools before he transferred in August 2003 to
Elkland High School for his senior year.
His mother, Kathleen Parker, still lives in Cameron Mills, Jerry Plank said. He said their father, Gerald Plank, lives in
Lawrenceville.
Lance Cpl. Plank and his brothers -- Jerry, 23, and Dominic, 24, of Westfield, were close, Jerry Plank said. He said all three loved
to hunt and fish.
"We were a smaller family, ...," Jerry Plank said, "and we were just a year apart, too, each of us."
He said Lance Cpl. Plank will be buried in Rathbone, but plans were incomplete as of Friday evening.
"There's a small cemetery a few hundred yards from where he lived," Jerry said.
"He told me he loved it there, in Rathbone. He was always hunting and fishing and stuff. He loved the spring water there."
He said Lance Cpl. Plank, who was single, hoped to buy land and build a home there some day.
Jerry Plank said his brother was proud to serve.
"He didn't want to go (to Afghanistan), but he was pretty good at what he did and he was confident," he said. "He was dedicated to
the core to the Marine Corps."
Jerry Plank said he and other relatives sent Lance Cpl. Plank letters and packages but hadn't heard from him since he went to war.
"Nobody I talked to received any letters from him, but we've been sending him stuff," he said.
"He would write when he was in training, but he must have been real busy. It must have been chaotic over there."
Spec. Benjamin D. Osborn
Hometown: Queensbury, New York, U.S.
Age: 27 years old
Died: June 15, 2010 in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Unit: Army, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne
Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Incident: Died in Shigalwashheltan district, Konar, Afghanistan, when insurgents attacked his unit
using small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fires.
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
On the Web:
Public contact:
http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=13617
http://www.defense.gov/landing/comment.aspx
Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 506-10
June 18, 2010
DOD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring
Freedom.
Spc. Benjamin D. Osborn, 27, of Queensbury, N.Y., died June 15 in Shigalwashheltan district, Konar,
Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms and rocket-propelled grenade
fires. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne
Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
For more information related to this release, the media may contact the Fort Campbell public affairs office at
270-798-3025.
The Beginner
June, 17, 2010
10:10PM ET
By John Symms
I remember the first year (in the 21st Century) that the US deployed troops to Afghanistan. 15 minutes of
listening to NPR, no matter what the time of day, was long enough be up to date on the war there. Casualty
reports, skirmish accounts, exposés on troop conditions, human interest stories from the ranks read by Ira
Glass or somebody else who also sounds like him. It wasn't just a hot topic. It was the topic. The news was
all about war. All the time.
Photo Courtesy of Mike RoggeSpc. Benjamin D. Osborn. Killed in action in Afghanistan June 15, 2010
And then the updates dwindled. Casualty reports degraded to weekly phenomena as the Ira Glasses shifted back to
talking about quirky things from the suburbs. Then they were monthly. Then practically nonexistent, except for a
quick report every time the US military tallied the next multiple of 500 dead. But just because we're not hearing
about it on the radio doesn't mean it's not happening. It just goes to show that there's something sick about wars
that have no clear objectives, no clear end in sight. Or something sick that they bring out.
There are still US troops in Afghanistan — 34,000 more than there were last year, in fact. And a recent casualty there
has hit close enough to home that we're going to hear about it.
On June 15, Spc. Benjamin D. Osborn was killed in action in Afghanistan. Powder Magazine Editor Mike Rogge, a
childhood friend of Osborn, eulogized his fallen compatriot on Powder's site today. The story recounts taking Osborn
to Gore Mountain, NY for his first day on skis. We all know how harrowing that experience can be, both for the
beginner and his mentors. But, according to Rogge, one of the day's mentors:
Ben, however, made the most of his first day on snow. Instead of overcompensating for his lack of skill, he had us
cringing in bellyaching laughter the entire day. He'd tell insane, over the top stories to strangers on the lift about
being an Olympic hopeful or being the head of ski school or that he co-invented twin tip skis. He had done his
homework and every ride up he talked the talk. It took everything in our power to hold back the laughter of our
newbie friend saying he, "got shafted by the Olympic mogul team" to one of Gore's race coaches. Of course, then
he'd get off the lift like a complete [heck] show, crashing horribly and taking the ski coach with him. We'd find
ourselves on the ground with him, laughing hysterically.
Read the full eulogy at Powdermag.com.
The Beginner - Benjamin D. Osborn
Words by Mike Rogge
The best part about being young and living near a ski area is having the careless ability to rationalize
blowing off (insert responsibilities here) and heading up to the hill for some fun. When I was in high school
in upstate New York, my friends and I would routinely play hooky and head to one of the local resorts for
"powder days." I put "powder days" in quotations because 3 inches of rain was enough to trade a day of
education for a day playing in the snow.
During junior year, our ski crew drove up to Gore Mountain for what was promised to be a reasonably good
6-inch fresh day of skiing trees. Our friend Ben joined us. It was his first day on skis. Those of you that have
gone out with a beginner on their first day understand that the new guy drags down the day with their
inexperience. Ben, while struggling awkwardly to click into his bindings in the lift line, made it clear that he
was not going to be that kind of beginner. And while I'd love to tell you that he took to skiing like a fish to
water, he did not and we found ourselves waiting for him most of the day.
Ben, however, made the most of his first day on snow. Instead of overcompensating for his lack of skill, he
had us cringing over in bellyaching laughter the entire day. He'd tell insane, over the top stories to strangers
on the lift about being an Olympic hopeful or being the head of ski school or that he co-invented twin tip
skis. He had done his homework and every ride up he talked the talk. It took everything in our power to hold
back the laughter of our newbie friend saying he, "got shafted by the Olympic mogul team" to one of Gore's
race coaches. Of course, then he'd get off the lift like a complete shit show, crashing horribly and taking the
ski coach with him. We'd find ourselves on the ground with him, laughing hysterically.
On our last run, Ben politely asked if he could join us down Gore's infamous double black diamond, The
Rumor. Hesitantly, we agreed though I'm quite sure we were all concerned about Ben making it down in one
piece. When we exited the lift and made our way to the top of the trail, most of us were strongly trying to
convince Ben that we should take a cruiser down for the last run. "It'll be great," I said. "Just a nice relaxing
run to end the day." Ben confidently told us he could handle it and we believed him. Along with being one of
the funniest friends of our group, he was also the most convincing, and not in a sleazy car salesman way.
More in an inspirational way that would get us off our asses and do something. And so we skied to the top
of The Rumor with Ben, who was ready to drop into one of New York's steepest trails on his first day on
skis.
Standing at the top, I remember thinking, "Hey, if he wants to do it, let him" which was quickly followed by a
secondary thought of, "This isn't a good idea." Regardless, we dropped in, skiing the steep, tracked out 6
inches as fast as we could, because when you're a dumb kid and calling last run, that's what you do. I was
second to the bottom. My friend and I quickly glanced up hill to catch the rest of our crew finish off the
goods and hoping we wouldn't find Ben lodged in a tree. Instead, there was Ben, sliding headfirst and
smoothly on his back, skis and arms high in the air. His arms and legs flailed like one of those inflatablearmed tube men they put outside of car dealerships. He let out the loudest, "Aaaaaaaaghhhh!" and l can still
hear it vividly eight years later.
When he reached the bottom, unscathed yet covered in snow and still on his back, he looked up at our
faces of complete disbelief and smiled. "That was fun," he said genuinely. And it always was when he was
around.
This story is dedicated to the memory of Benjamin D. Osborn, a great comedian, brave soldier, and
tremendous friend killed in combat in Afghanistan on June 15, 2010. Rest easy, my friend. You'll be missed.
101st Airborne soldier killed in combat
FORT CAMPBELL, KY: A 101st Airborne Division Soldier died June 15 when his mounted patrol came
under fire in the Shigalwasheltan district, Afghanistan. Spc. Benjamin D. Osborn, 27, of Queensbury, New
York, was an infantryman assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade
Combat Team. He joined the Army in April 2007 and arrived at Fort Campbell in August 2009.
His awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraqi
Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service
Ribbon; Combat Infantry Badge; Driver and Mechanic Badge (driver/wheeled vehicle) and Weapons
Qualification, M4, expert. Osborn is survived by his wife Nicole J. Osborn of Clarksville, Tenn.; and parents
Beverly and William Osborn of Queensbury, New York.
A memorial service will be held in Afghanistan.
Family remembers son killed in combat
DAYELIN ROMAN - droman@poststar.com | Posted: Thursday, June 17, 2010 5:44 pm
QUEENSBURY - Bethany Osborn got the call from her mother at 4:30 on Wednesday morning.
"She wouldn't tell me over the phone," she said. "I knew it was about Ben. I was praying that he had just
been hurt."
When she got to her parents' house in the middle of the night, they broke the news. Her brother, Spc.
Benjamin D. Osborn, had been killed in combat in Afghanistan on Tuesday morning.
"My mind just went blank and I started crying," she said. "It still doesn't feel real."
Tanya Mason, manager of the Holly Tree Motel in Lake George, changes the motel's sign, as did many of the
area businesses, to express their sympathy for Spc. Benjamin Osborn and his family on Thursday, June 17,
2010. Spc. Osborn, 27, was killed in combat while serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan on Tuesday.
Mason, who was an acquaintance of Osborn, said, 'Its hit hard. My God he fought for our country and he's
not coming home.'
Many of the businesses in Lake George express their sympathy for Spc. Benjamin Osborn and his family
through signs on Thursday, June 17, 2010. Spc. Osborn, who was a 2002 graduate of Lake George High
School, was killed in combat while serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan on Tuesday.
Lake George businesses express their sympathy for Spc. Benjamin Osborn and his family through signs
along Route 9 on Thursday, June 17, 2010. Spc. Osborn, who was a 2002 graduate of Lake George High
School, was killed in combat while serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan on Tuesday.
At the Osborn family home on Ridge Road on Thursday morning, cars filled the driveway, but inside the
home a somber silence met each visitor.
William and Beverly Osborn, Benjamin and Bethany's parents, were getting ready for a visit by Army
officials, who would take the grieving parents away to meet their son's body in Dover, Del.
The body was due to arrive at Dover Air Force Base at 2:40 a.m. on Friday. On Monday, it will arrive at
Albany International Airport.
The grieving parents wandered about the house preparing for the trip. William Osborn passed through the
living room to grab a newspaper, his head down and silent.
Beverly Osborn made an appearance to tell reporters to speak to her only daughter.
"We believe in sharing," she said before walking away.
Bethany Osborn wore a gray sweatshirt with the words "Army sister" printed on it in black as she
remembered her brother as a child.
"He was a jokester, constantly playing practical jokes on me," she said, "following me wherever I went."
As an aunt at the home on Thursday walked by the living room, she made a joke about the way Benjamin's
sister and his cousins would taunt him, and Bethany remembered painting her brother's nails and "fixing" his
hair.
"We had three white and black cats," Bethany said, "and we painted them different colors with food
coloring."
Bethany said her brother was always the smart-aleck, but would always be there to help friends and family
when they needed him.
"I remember he was in elementary school when I was in high school," she said. "He would keep his eyes
glued on me."
When he saw his sister talking to boys after school, she said, he wouldn't just tell their parents, he would wait
until the entire family was together to raise the topic.
"He would store those stories," she said.
"He was like the All-American boy," Bethany's fiance Travis Birkholz said.
"But a big softie," Bethany added.
The aunt walked in and out of the living room on Thursday morning, each time carrying a new photo - of
Benjamin as an infant, and a toddler and a child. One photo showed him smiling as he peeked out of a
camouflage tent.
The family's home is in Queensbury, but Osborn was a part of the Lake George community. He graduated
from Lake George High School in 2002 and worked at various restaurants in the village and town before
joining the Army three years ago.
In high school, he played on the defensive line of the varsity football team. He also played baseball.
Down Canada Street on Thursday afternoon, gray clouds hung over numerous flags flown at half staff in
front of local businesses and at Shepard Park. Marquees at businesses throughout town expressed
condolences and messages of support for Osborn and his family.
"Rest in peace fallen soldier Ben Osborn," read the sign at Mario's Restaurant, where Osborn once worked.
"Our hearts and thoughts are with the Osborn family," another sign read.
At the corner of routes 9 and 9N, just off Exit 21, the flags were at half staff and yellow ribbons were tied to
each pole.
Benjamin Osborn was the youngest of five children. His sister Bethany lives with Birkholz in Warrensburg.
Benajmin's brothers - Chris Gill, 44, Bill Osborn, 42 and Jeff Osborn, 40 - live out of state.
Benjamin Osborn was stationed in Fort Campbell in Clarksville, Tenn. His wife of four months, Nicole
LaPier-Osborn, attends college in Clarksville, but graduated from South Glens Falls High School.
"They hit it off right away," Bethany said about her brother and his wife. The couple met in August of last
year, and were married in February.
"It was beautiful and I know that Ben was so excited," she said about the big wedding. In three weeks,
Birkholz and Bethany Osborn will celebrate their own nuptials.
As the aunt at the home on Thursday came into the room, she said Benjamin had told his mother he didn't
want to get into a serious relationship because the Army could send him away at any time.
"She told him to live his life," she said.
Posted in Local on Thursday, June 17, 2010 5:44 pm Updated: 11:48 am.
Fort Campbell Soldier killed in Afghanistan
June 18, 2010 |
Fort Campbell, KY – A 101st Airborne Division Soldier died June 15th when his mounted
patrol came under fire in the Shigalwasheltan district, Afghanistan.
Spc. Benjamin D. Osborn, 27, of Queensbury, NY, was an infantryman assigned to Company A, 2nd
Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. He joined the Army in April 2007 and
arrived at Fort Campbell in August 2009.
Upstate New York Soldier Dies in Afghanistan
Updated: Friday, 18 Jun 2010, 5:11 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 18 Jun 2010, 3:02 PM EDT
MYFOX NEW YORK STAFF REPORT
MYFOXNY.COM - A soldier from northeastern New York died in Afghanistan this week, the Department of
Defense reported.
Spc. Benjamin D. Osborn, 27, of Queensbury, N.Y., died June 15 in Shigalwashheltan district, Konar, when
insurgents attacked his unit with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades, the Pentagon said.
He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne
Division (Air Assault), based out of Fort Campbell, Ky.
Osborn was the youngest of five children, according to a PostStar.com report. He graduated from Lake
George High School in 2002 and joined the Army three years ago.
Gov. David Paterson ordered flags on state buildings to fly at half-staff on Wednesday, June 23, in Osborn's
honor.
"All New Yorkers grieve today with the friends, family and fellow soldiers of Specialist Osborn," Paterson
said. "On behalf of all New Yorkers I extend our condolences. But while we mourn his loss we will honor
and remember his service to our nation. He will not be forgotten."
Area has felt loss during wars
By LYDIA WHEELER lwheeler@poststar.com | Posted: Thursday, June 17, 2010 10:39 pm
Following the death of Lake George native Army Spc. Benjamin D. Osborn on Tuesday, the area has now
lost eight soldiers in combat and non-combat incidents since 2003.
On Sept. 15, 2003, Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Kimmerly, 31, of North Creek, died when a rocket-propelled
grenade struck his vehicle in Baghdad.
On Easter Sunday in 2004, Army National Guard Pfc. Nathan Brown, 21, of South Glens Falls, was killed
when the truck he was riding in was attacked, while patrolling in Samarra, 60 miles north of Baghdad.
Iraq war veteran Stephen Z. Madison, 23, of Corinth, died June 29, 2005, from a lethal amount of methadone
in his system on a Kansas Army post. Madison was prescribed the narcotic to ease the pain of third-degree
burns he received from an apparently faulty shower in Iraq the previous September.
His death was ruled as accidental.
Less than two months later, on Aug. 16, 2005, Army National Guard Spc. Zachary Bergmeier, 22, of South
Glens Falls, died in his sleep of a heart attack caused by a build-up of fluid in his lungs after returning from a
tour of duty in Iraq.
On Aug. 1, 2008, Army National Guard Spc. Chad M. Bryne, 26, of Fort Edward, died at his home from
what doctors believed to be encephalitis. Bryne had previously been injured twice in Iraq.
Army Sgt. Richard A. Dempster, 26, of Queensbury, died May 25, 2009, while stationed in Ansbach,
Germany.
The cause of Dempster's death is unknown.
On Sept. 17, 2009, Army Pfc. Jeremiah Monroe, 31, of Brant Lake, was killed in Kandahar, Afghanistan,
after an explosive device detonated near the vehicle he was riding in.
Eric Durr, a spokesman for the state Division of Military and Naval Affairs, said an unofficial count from the
U.S. Armed Services lists 404 New York soldiers having died while serving since the Afghanistan war
began. Of those, 283 served in Iraq, and 121 served in Afghanistan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HOFNkAriZE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m0hBX6hxYg&feature=related
1st BCT soldier killed in insurgent attack
BY JAKE LOWARY • THE LEAF-CHRONICLE • June 19, 2010
The Army announced Friday the death of a 1st Brigade Combat Team soldier who was killed Tuesday in Kunar Province,
Afghanistan.
According to the Army, Spc. Benjamin D. Osborn, 27, of Queensbury, N.Y., died in the Shigalwasheltan district when his
mounted patrol was attacked with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.
Osborn's father and sister told the Associated Press Osborn was killed by insurgents while on a combat mission.
Family members also said he and his wife lived near Fort Campbell in Clarksville.
His father said his son joined the Army three years ago and was deployed to Afghanistan in April. Osborn was a 2002 graduate of
Lake George High School in the southeastern Adirondacks.
Osborn married Nicole LaPier in February. He's also survived by his parents, Beverly and William Osborn of Queensbury, an
older sister and three older brothers.
Osborn's death is the seventh in about a week's time for the 1st BCT. The brigade is deployed to northeastern Afghanistan in a
four-province area known as N2KL, short for Nuristan, Nangarhar, Kunar and Laghman provinces.
Five 1st BCT soldiers were killed in a single IED blast last week.
The previous unit, 4th BCT of the 4th Infantry Division, suffered 39 casualties in its 12-month deployment, which ended earlier
this month.
An Army carry team carries a transfer case containing the remains of Spc. Benjamin D. Osborn Friday, June 18, 2010 at Dover Air
Force Base, Del. According to the Department of Defense, Osborn, of Queensbury, N.Y., died while supporting Operation
Enduring Freedom. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)
An Army carry team carries a transfer case containing the remains of Spc. Benjamin D. Osborn Friday, June 18, 2010 at Dover Air
Force Base, Del. According to the Department of Defense, Osborn, of Queensbury, N.Y., died while supporting Operation
Enduring Freedom. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)
Spc Benjamin D. Osborn
June 19th, 2010
Died: June 15, 2010, Afghanistan
Spc. Benjamin D. Osborn of Queensbury, New York is the son of Beverly and William Osborn
and one of five children. He graduated in 2002 from Lake George High School where he
played football. He then attended Adirondack Community College, working two summers as a
bartender at the Lobster Pot restaurant. In 2007 at age 24 he enlisted in the United States
Army, following a family tradition of military service. Signing up for a six year commitment he
had hoped to spend the last two of those years as a recruiter. He had even entertain the idea
of someday becoming a State Trooper. Ben had already served 15 months previously in Iraq
and was currently serving in Afghanistan since April 28 2010. He married his wife, Nicole on
Feb. 6, 2010. In addition to wife and parents, he leaves his brothers, Chris Gill, William
Osborn, Jeffrey Osborn, a sister, Beth and his grandmother Vera Burnham. His Awards and
Decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraqi
Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas
Service Ribbon; Combat Infantry Badge; Driver and Mechanic Badge (driver/wheeled vehicle)
and Weapons Qualification, M4, expert. He died at age 27 in Shigalwashheltan district, Konar,
Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms and
rocket-propelled grenade fires.
Army
2nd Battalion
327th Infantry Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentuck
Burial is at Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville, New York
Army Spc. Benjamin D. Osborn
Died June 15, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
27, of Queensbury, N.Y.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat
Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died June 15 in Shigalwashheltan district,
Konar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using small-arms fire and
rocket-propelled grenades.
Infantryman left behind wife, parents
By Chris Smith
The (Clarksville, Tenn.) Leaf-Chronicle
A 101st Airborne Division Soldier died June 15 when his mounted patrol came under small-arms and
rocket-propelled grenade fire in the Shigalwashheltan district of Kunar province, Afghanistan.
Spc. Benjamin D. Osborn, 27, of Queensbury, N.Y., was an infantryman assigned to Company A, 2nd
Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, according to a news
release from Fort Campbell. He joined the Army in April 2007 and arrived at Fort Campbell in August 2009.
His awards and decorations include: Army Commendation Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraqi
Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service
Ribbon; Combat Infantry Badge; Driver and Mechanic Badge (driver/wheeled vehicle) and Weapons
Qualification, M4, expert.
Osborn is survived by his wife, Nicole J. Osborn, of Clarksville; and his parents, Beverly and William Osborn
of Queensbury.
http://www.cbs6albany.com/articles/osborn-1275306-benjaminqueensbury.html
Community mourns fallen soldier Spc. Benjamin Osborn
June 24, 2010 5:26 AM
Saratoga -- Hundreds gathered at Saratoga National Cemetery for the funeral and burial of a Lake George
soldier killed in action in Afghanistan.
Military officials say 26-year-old Specialist Benjamin Osborn was killed by insurgents while on a combat
mission with other soldiers from the Army's 101st Airborne Division.
Osborn, who was married in February, was deployed to Afghanistan in April.
Osborn's body was returned earlier this week to Lake George, where he graduated from high school in
2002. Hundreds of residents of the Adirondack village lined the streets as the motorcade transporting his
body passed by.
Osborn was the first of three soldiers from upstate New York to die in Afghanistan in recent days.
David Taylor Miller of Saratoga Springs and Timothy Serwinowski of North Tonawanda were killed in action
this week.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Mourners Gather To Pay Respect To Fallen Soldier
Hundreds gathered outside a Queensbury funeral home to pay respects to Army Specialist Benjamin
Osborn.
http://www.cbs6albany.com/video/?videoId=102015209001&play=now
More Reflections on Benjamin Osborn
More reflections on fallen soldier Spc. Benjamin Osborn during the wake in Queensbury.
http://www.cbs6albany.com/video/?videoId=101569249001&lineupId=&play=now
Fallen Soldier Returns Home
The body of Benjamin Osborn, who was killed in Afghanistan, was returned home Monday morning. Warren
County residents lined the streets for a two-hour procession which brought his body from the airport to a
funeral home.
http://www.cbs6albany.com/video/?videoId=97606028001&lineupId=&play=now
Fallen Soldier Honored in Lake George
A hero's welcome awaited the body of Lake George native Spc. Benjamin Osborn, who was killed in an
insurgent attack in Afghanistan a week ago. Today, Osborn's fmaily shared with Ashe Reardon their happy
memories of a young life taken too soon.
http://www.cbs6albany.com/video/?videoId=97669856001&lineupId=&play=now
POSTED: MONDAY, JUNE 21, 2010 11:41 PM |
LAKE GEORGE -- Spc. Benjamin D. Osborn, 27, passed on Tuesday, June 15, 2010, in Konar Province,
Afghanistan, while serving with the U.S. Army.
Born in Glens Falls Hospital, Jan. 21, 1983, he was the son of William D. and Beverly (Burnham) Osborn.
Benjamin served with the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division,
Fort Campbell, Ky., rank SPC 4. He was in active duty from April 2007 to June 2010, in Theatres of
Operation in Iraq and Afghanistan. The following are some of the medals and honors that were received: Iraq
Freedom Medal, Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
On Feb. 6, 2010, he married the love of his life, Nicole LaPier, in Queensbury. He was a caring, loving and
passionate husband, who adored his wife and looked forward to their future.
Ben received his first trophy at the age of seven, when he competed amongst 11 boys in a tumbling routine.
He received first place. This was the beginning of many, many sports trophies. He received the senior
athletic award and played varsity football for four years, varsity baseball for two years, JV baseball for two
years, JV basketball for two years and was a member of the varsity ski team for one year. He still holds the
record at Lake George High School for career tackles in football, accomplished in two and a half years.
Along with his sports, he was involved in the Sister Cities Exchange Program and Odyssey of the Mind.
Ben will be remembered for his sense of humor, his appetite, loyalty, dedication, love of his family,
brotherhood, friends and Lake George. He was a hero to so many in life and will be remembered as a hero to
all in death. Ben will always be remembered for his ready smile, his sense of fun and adventure. His
readiness to help others any time for anything. His willingness to stand up for his friends while always ready
to get on the floor to play with the young. Such a genuine person who always respected all he encountered.
Ben found true happiness and contentment in his recent marriage to his beloved Nicole. He was now
complete and ready to face the future. Ben was such a loved and compassionate person, yet he fully
subscribed to the creed of effort. "I firmly believe that any man's finest hour is that moment when he has
worked his heart out in a good cause and he's exhausted on the field of battle, victorious." (Vince Lombardi)
Ben gave his all for the mission at hand. We love you, Ben.
His grandfather, Richard G. Burnham, predeceased him, a four-year Army World War II veteran, along with
his grandfather, Leonard W. Osborn, and grandmother, Marion G. Osborn.
Survivors include his wife, Nicole J. (LaPier) Osborn; his parents, William and Beverly Osborn of Lake
George; his brothers, Christopher Gill and fiance Shana Rivera of Charlotte, N.C., William B. and his wife
Amanda Osborn of Covington, Ga., Jeffrey S. and his wife Elizabeth Osborn of Centerville, Va.; his sister,
Bethany L. Osborn and fiance Travis Birkholz of Warrensburg; his grandmother, Vera Burnham of Middle
Granville, N.Y.; in-laws, Tom and Emily (Winslow) LaPier of Queensbury and Fred and Lisa Bartlett of
South Glens Falls; brother-in-law, Fred Bartlett Jr. of South Glens Falls; sisters-in-law, Kara Winslow of
Queensbury, Jessica Winslow and fiancé, Jason LeBlanc, of Queensbury; nephews, Daniel Jacobs of
Covington, Ga., David Osborn of Covington, Ga., Mathew Osborn of Covington, Ga.; his niece, Anna
Osborn of Covington, Ga.; his nephew, Austin Osborn of Centerville, Va.; his aunt, Roberta J. Burnham of
Houston, Texas, Army retired Sergeant Major; his cousins, Marc Cristaldi of South Glens Falls, 11-year
Army veteran, Trista Blyther of Laurel, Md., six-year Army- currently RN at Walter Reid Hospital/critical
care unit, and so many loving aunts, uncles and cousins, along with two new nieces to be officially part of
the family at his sister's wedding July 10, 2010, Katie and Kiersten Birkholz.
Relatives and friends may call Wednesday, June 23, 2010, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Regan & Denny Funeral
Home, 53 Quaker Road, Queensbury.
Funeral service will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday, June 24, 2010, at Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National
Cemetery, Duell Road, Schuylerville, N.Y.
Those who wish may send a remembrance in his name to The Ben Osborn Memorial Fund. This fund has
been established at Glens Falls National Bank and the family ask that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made
to help disadvantaged student-athletes.
Ben's pallbearers are representing those men who currently served with Ben in Afghanistan: Ofren
Arrechaga, Steven Hunsicker, Chris Williams, Daniel Kelly, Brian Ham and Paul Nacin.
For those who wish, online condolences maybe sent to www.scott-barbieri.com.
Copyright 2010 The Post-Star. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Posted in Obituaries on Monday, June 21, 2010 11:41 pm
Lance Cpl. Timothy G. Serwinowski
Hometown: North Tonawanda, New York, U.S.
Age: 21 years old
Died: June 21, 2010 in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Unit: Marines, 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary
Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Incident: Died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
On the Web:
Public contact:
http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=13632
http://www.defense.gov/landing/comment.aspx
Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 522-10
June 22, 2010
DOD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring
Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Timothy G. Serwinowski, 21, of North Tonawanda, N.Y., died June 21 while supporting combat
operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine
Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the II Marine
Division public affairs office at 910-450-6575.
Lejeune Marine dies in Afghanistan
June 22, 2010 4:38 PM DAILY NEWS STAFF
A Camp Lejeune Marine died in Afghanistan Monday, officials said.
Lance Cpl. Timothy G. Serwinowski, 21, of North Tonawanda, N.Y., died while supporting combat
operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan, according to the Department of Defense.
Serwinowski was an assaultman assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team
7, I Marine Expeditionary Force Forward, according to the 2nd Marine Division. He joined the Marine Corps
in May 2008 and was promoted to lance corporal July 1, 2009.
Serwinowski deployed to Afghanistan in January 2010, according to the 2nd Marine Division. His awards
include the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, National Defense Medal and the Global War on Terrorism
Service Medal.
21-year-old New York Marine killed in Afghanistan
Friends and relatives say a 21-year-old Marine from New York has been killed in Afghanistan.
Lance Cpl. Timothy Serwinowski of North Tonawanda, near Buffalo, was serving in Marjah when he was hit
by a sniper and died early Monday.
He had been a Marine since 2008 and was stationed in Jacksonville, N.C.
At North Tonawanda High School Tuesday, former teachers described Serwinowski as a quiet leader.
Serwinowski graduated from the school three years ago, and his sister is scheduled to graduate on Sunday.
The class is expected to pay tribute to him during the ceremony.
Local Marine Killed in Afghanistan
Lance Corporal Timothy Serwinowski was killed while serving in Afghanistan.
http://www.wkbw.com/
Lance Cpl Timothy G. Serwinowski
June 22nd, 2010
Died: June 21, 2010 in Helmand, Afghanistan
Lance Cpl. Timothy G. Serwinowski of North Tonawanda, New York graduated in 2007 from
North Tonawanda High School where he played wide receiver on the football team. He also
studied one year at Niagara County Community College. Tim was a quiet leader with a good
sense of humor whose nickname was ‘Win’, a moniker that seemed to fit him well, since he
never seem to give up. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2008 and was
stationed Camp Lejeune and was currently serving a tour of duty in Marjah, Afghanistan
where he had been since January 2010. He died at age 21 while supporting combat operations
in Helmand province, Afghanistan. His Awards and Decorations include, the Afghanistan
Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service
Medal.
Marines
3rd Battalion
6th Marine Regiment
2nd Marine Division
II Marine Expeditionary Force
Camp Lejeune, N.C.
AP Photo 22 hours ago
A Marine carry team carries a transfer case containing the remains of Lance Cpl. Timothy G. Serwinowski
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at Dover Air Force Base, Del. According to the Department of Defense,
Serwinowski, 21, of North Tonawanda, N.Y. , died June 21 while supporting combat operations in Helmand
province, Afghanistan.
Marine Lance Cpl. Timothy G. Serwinowski
Died June 21, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
21, of North Tonawanda, N.Y.; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II
Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died June 21 while supporting combat operations in
Helmand province, Afghanistan.
21-year-old New York Marine killed in Afghanistan
The Associated Press
NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. — Friends and relatives say a 21-year-old Marine from New York has been
killed in Afghanistan.
Lance Cpl. Timothy Serwinowski of North Tonawanda, near Buffalo, was serving in Marjah when he was hit
by a sniper and died early Monday.
He had been a Marine since 2008 and was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
At North Tonawanda High School Tuesday, former teachers described Serwinowski as a quiet leader.
Serwinowski graduated from the school three years ago, and his sister is scheduled to graduate on Sunday.
The class is expected to pay tribute to him during the ceremony.
Honoring Marine Lance Corporal Timothy Serwinowski from North Tonawanda
http://www.nysenate.gov/video/2010/jun/24/honoring-marine-lancecorporal-timothy-serwinowski-north-tonawanda
On Thursday, June 24, 2010, the New York State Senate unanimously adopted a resolution honoring Lance
Corporal Timothy G. Serwinowski of North Tonawanda. The 21-year old Marine was killed in Afghanistan
last weekend.
In this video clip Senator George Maziarz, a North Tonawanda native, speaks on the floor of the Senate
Chamber about the ultimate sacrifice made by our hometown hero, Lance Cpl. Serwinowski. A moment of
silence follows.
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Timothy G. Serwinowski honored June 23 in dignified
transfer
Posted 6/24/2010 Updated 6/24/2010
6/24/2010 - A U.S. Marine Corps team transfers the remains of Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Timothy G. Serwinoski, of
North Tonawanda, N.Y., at Dover Air Force Base, Del., June 23. Lance Cpl. Serwinoski was assigned to 3rd Battalion,
6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He died June 21 while
supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Roland Balik)
Fallen Marine returns home
by Staff Sgt. Joseph McKee
914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
6/25/2010 - Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station -- The remains of Lance Cpl. Timothy G. Serwinowski 3rd
Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force arrived at the Niagara
Falls Air Reserve Station, June 25, 2010, Niagara Falls, NY.
Family, friends, military personnel and the Patriot Guard Riders were present to pay their respects.
Members of both the 914th and 107th Airlift Wings lined the roads and presented arms as the procession
made its way through the base. Serwinowski, 21, of North Tonawanda, N.Y., died June 21 while supporting
combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He died of his wounds early Monday. He was a 2007
graduate of North Tonawanda High School.
The remains of Lance Cpl. Timothy G. Serwinowski 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force arrive at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, June 25, 2010, Niagara Falls, NY. Family, friends,
military personnel and the Patriot Guard Riders were on hand at the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph
McKee)
June 25, 2010
Videos: Fallen Marine killed in Afghanistan arrives home
http://blogs.buffalonews.com/live/2010/06/fallen-marine-killed-inafghanistan-arrives-home.html
TOWN OF NIAGARA -- The body of a North Tonawanda Marine killed in Afghanistan came home to
Western New York this morning.
The remains of Lance Cpl. Timothy G. “Win” Serwinowski arrived on a private charter at the Niagara
Falls Air Reserve Station at about 10 a.m.
Family, friends, service personnel and the Patriot Guard Riders were on hand at the base.
A procession of vehicles escorted the soldier's remains from the base at about 10:30 a.m.
http://blogs.buffalonews.com/live/2010/06/fallen-marine-killed-in-afghanistan-arriveshome.html
Marines carry the body of Lance Cpl. Timothy G. "Win" Serwinowski from a private plane to an awaiting hearse at
the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station this morning.
Services set for Marine killed in line of duty in Afghanistan
Updated: June 24, 2010, 6:59 am /
Published: June 24, 2010, 12:30 am
Services for Marine Lance Cpl. Timothy G. “Win” Serwinowski, of North Tonawanda, will be at 4 p.m.
Saturday in Amigone Funeral Home, 2600 Sheridan Drive, Town of Tonawanda.
Lance Cpl. Serwinowski, 21, was shot by a sniper Sunday as he stepped out of a military vehicle while on
patrol in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan. He died of his wounds early Monday.
Lance Cpl. Serwinowski was a 2007 graduate of North Tonawanda High School and attended Niagara
County Community College for a year before enlisting in the Marines in May 2008.
Fallen Marine Returns Home
NIAGARA FALLS, NY (WKBW) -- It was a tearful homecoming for a fallen hero from North
Tonawanda Friday.
The body of Marine Lance Corporal Timothy Serwinowski landed at the Niagara Falls Air
Reserve Base just after 10 a.m. Friday to a saddened crowd of family and friends.
Serwinowski was killed Monday while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province in
Afghanistan.
A procession of State and local police, along with the Patriot Riders of New York escorted
Lance Corporal Serwinowski to Amigone Funeral Home
on Sheridan Drive in Tonawanda.
Visiting hours will be held Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturday from Noon to 4 p.m.
The funeral will follow.
Governor Paterson has asked that flags be flown at half-staff in honor of the fallen Marine.
http://wetsuits.needtoknow33.info/news/Lance-Corporal.html
Family mourns loss of son, a Marine
Updated: Friday, 25 Jun 2010, 5:49 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 25 Jun 2010, 5:49 PM EDT


Lorey Schultz
Posted by: Eli George

NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - A dedicated Marine from North Tonawanda has made his
final journey home. The body of Lance Corporal Timothy Serwinowski arrived at the Niagara Falls
Air Base Friday morning as his heartbroken family looked on.
The body of Marine Lance Cpl. Timothy Serwinowski arrived, the latest casualty of war. Friday
morning, he returned home to a hero's welcome. His heartbroken family linked arms and huddled
close as fellow Marines carried his flag draped casket; his dog tag hung loosely. It was an emotional
moment for everyone at the air base.


Patriot Guard Riders of NY member Joseph Shiah said, "It's getting more difficult. Everyone is
difficult. The Ride Captains get to know the families well, and it's like they're part of our family."

The 21-year-old North Tonawanda native was on patrol in Afghanistan Monday when fatally
wounded by a sniper's bullet. His family declined to comment publicly on this day, but earlier in the
week, News 4 spent time with the Marine's father. He's proud of his son, despite their differing views
on war.

Phillip Serwinowski said, "He loved people and this is what he wanted to do."

Obviously, Serwinowki's death hit hard. He lost his life a week before his sister's high school
graduation, a month before his brother's wedding. No one in his family felt good about his tour in
Afghanistan. He was sent there in January. Tragically, his tour was expected to end in just a few
weeks. At North Tonawanda High, the flag continues to wave at half staff. The 2007 grad left quite a
legacy.

Principal James Fisher said, "He's a model of selfless service to our country and for that, we're
thankful."

Hundreds of airmen and women from the 914th and 107th showed their support for the fallen Marine
as the somber procession left the air base. Clearly, Serwinowski's death brought home the true cost
of war.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Marine Lance Cpl. Timothy G. Serwinowski
Remember Our Heroes
Marine Lance Cpl. Timothy G. Serwinowski, 21, of North Tonawanda, N.Y.
LCpl. Serwinowski was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died June 21, 2010 while supporting combat operations in
Helmand province, Afghanistan.
NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - Lance Corporal Timothy Serwinowski is the latest local Marine to
make the ultimate sacrifice.
The North Tonawanda native died just two weeks before he was scheduled to return to Western New
York.
A heartbroken family said Lance Cpl. Timothy Serwinowski wanted to make a difference in the world.
They gathered Tuesday at his mother's North Tonawanda home to share memories of the fallen hero.
The 21-year-old was killed in combat Monday in Afghanistan. He was hit by a sniper's bullet.
Tim Serwinowski graduated three years ago from North Tonawanda High School, where the flag now
waves at half staff.
His teachers described him as a quiet leader, who made a tremendous impact.
Teacher, Peter Fezer explained, "Everybody knew him. Everybody loved him. He was so easy going. He
always had a smile on his face."
Serwinowski is also remembered for his confidence, and for helping the Lumberjacks win the North
Division Football Championship his senior year.
North Tonawanda High School Principal, James Fisher remarked, "He was known as a young man who
achieved his potential as an athlete and we're saddened and mourning the loss of his future potential."
It's tough. His death came two weeks before he was scheduled to return to western New York. Tuesday,
family and friends of the Marine Lance Cpl. are holding tight to the memories.
American flags waved proudly outside a number of homes in the Niagara Parkway neighborhood. Sadly, at
this house, mourners gathered to remember Marine Lance Cpl. Timothy Serwinowski. The 21-year-old
North Tonawanda native was killed in battle on Monday in Afghanistan.
Michelle Cooke didn't know him, but this mom can only imagine the heartbreak.
Cooke said, "It's awful. You want to see them fight for this country, but it's a never-ending battle and
heart breaking."
Serwinowski graduated three years ago from North Tonawanda High where the flag now waves at half
staff. His teachers described him as a quit leader, who made a tremendous impact.
Greg Woytila recalls, "He got the jokes. He got the humor, but was someone the class looked up to."
Peter Fezer added, "Everybody knew him. Everybody loved him. He was so easy going. He always had a
smile on his face."
His grief stricken family declined an on-camera interview, but told News 4 that he joined the military to,
"make a difference." In their eyes, he's a hero.
Principal James Fisher said, "Any time we lose a student, it's a tragedy, but given circumstance, a fine
man respected by everyone. We feel sorrow, but a great deal of pride."
Obviously, news of his death hit hard in this community where he had lots of friends, who have been
filling pages of Facebook with praises.
His brother wrote, "I know you died fighting for what you believed in."
Another comment read, "Timmer, your courage and dedication to this country is something that I could
never match."
There's a shared sadness, and frustration, throughout North Tonawanda. June is becoming one of the
deadliest months for U.S. troops in the nearly 9-year-old Afghan war.
Julie Czerwinski said, " I'm very angry. These young boys are getting killed for no reason at all and I feel
sorry for their parents."
The Lance Corporals death came as a complete shock to his parents, who expected him home in just a
few weeks. Now, he'll return, but for a sad homecoming nobody wanted.
It's such a sad time for this close-knit family. Tim's mom works for the school district, and his sister is a
member of the class of 2010 and will graduate on Sunday. The class is expected to pause to recognize
him during the ceremony.
Marine Lance Cpl. Timothy G. "Win" Serwinowski looked forward to sitting down with his father later this
summer and discussing his future.
Late Sunday, those plans were cut short when a sniper's bullet mortally wounded the 21-year- old from
North Tonawanda as he stepped out of a military vehicle while on patrol in Helmand province in southern
Afghanistan.
Lance Cpl. Serwinowski lived for about an hour before he was pronounced dead early Monday.
Family members said details of the attack are limited, but they believe that after he was shot, a firefight
broke out; no other Marines were injured. He was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment,
2nd Marine Division, out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.
"Tim was thinking of continuing his military career, and he wanted to talk it over with me. He only had
one month to go before he came home," said a shattered Phillip Serwinowski, the fallen Marine's father.
"Tim loved life, and he was a good man. He could have been an even better man if given the chance."
For months, Timothy Serwinowski's relatives had been concerned not only for his safety but also for the
safety of another 21-year-old in the family, his stepbrother, Airman 1st Class David Urban, who had been
serving in Iraq since September. His deployment to Iraq ended Saturday-- one day before Serwinowski was
shot.
"He learned about the death in Kuwait," James Urban said of his son, adding that he and his wife, Sally
Urban, the mother of Serwinowski, have flown the American flag in front of their North Tonawanda home
for both sons since they left.
This isn't the first time the tragedy of war has hit home for the Serwinowski family. Richard E.
Serwinowski, a cousin of Phillip Serwinowski, was killed in Vietnam in the 1960s.
Timothy Serwinowski, a 2007 graduate of North Tonawanda High School, attended Niagara County
Community College for a year before enlisting in May 2008.
He never lost touch with his connections to the high school. Before his deployment in December, he had
stopped by the Meadow Drive school to say goodbye.
"When I asked him, "Why the Marines?' he said, "If you're going to do it, you go with the best,'" said Peter
Fezer, his 11th-grade history teacher and 12th-grade economics teacher.
On that visit, Serwinowski also stopped by the school library to view a wall of photographs featuring
veterans and current members of the armed forces.
Emily Serwinowski, his 17-year-old sister, had brought his photograph in after librarian Catherine Duquin
had asked him for a picture.
"I know he was very proud to see that photograph on the veterans' wall," Fezer said.
The teacher also recalled how, in the years Serwinowski played football for the school team, the
Lumberjacks, the 6-foot, 2-inch safety maintained a cheerful disposition and could be counted on for an
ever-present smile "even when he was bruised and beat up from football practice."
When Serwinowski turned 21 in December, his family and friends gathered at Pizza Junction in North
Tonawanda for a combination party to celebrate his birthday and upcoming deployment.
A photograph of Serwinowski at the party shows him smiling and sitting in front of a birthday cake
decorated with two miniature American flags.
"Tim was a little nervous but wanted to leave on a good note," said Alex Rivera, Serwinowski's 20-year-old
stepbrother. "I never thought this would happen. He wanted to serve his country."
And that he did, according to North Tonawanda High School Principal James V. Fisher.
"At this somber time we mourn the great future potential that has been lost, but we will forever count
Tim as a model of selfless service to his country," Fisher said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon in
the school library.
During Tim Serwinowski's senior year, the principal added, he was honored by his football coaches for his
"excellence and leadership" when the Lumberjacks won the Niagara Frontier League's North Division
Championship.
Outside the high school, the American flag flew at half-staff as well as next door at Meadow Elementary
School, where Serwinowski's mother works as a teacher's aide.
"I'd say to him, "Honey, we worry about you,' and he'd say, "Mom, I'm with my family here. I have their
back, and they have my back,'" Sally Urban said of conversations she had with her son during his
deployment. "I'd ask him if he had a shower, and he'd say, "I went in the canal.' I said, "No, a shower?' He
never had a shower over there."
True to form in putting the best face on his circumstances, she said he would tell her, "Mom, the
Vietnam, Korean and World War II veterans had it so much worse."
When he was at home, she said that he was constantly upbeat and that he loved it when she made him
his favorite meal of the day. "He'd say, "Mom, are you going to make me breakfast?' He loved to eat," she
recalled.
Born on his mother's 30th birthday, Serwinowski enjoyed singing and playing the guitar. And while he
loved the camaraderie of the Marine Corps, his mother said, he was undecided on whether to make a
career of it or, in time, return to college and one day become a state trooper.
Now, the North Tonawanda School District and its graduating Class of 2010 are planning to pay a special
tribute to Serwinowski at 10 a.m. Sunday during graduation exercises in Artpark.
Before the diplomas are given to graduates, there will be a moment of silence followed by a tribute read
aloud in Serwinowski's honor. Among the graduates, district officials said, will be his sister Emily.
Marine Lance Cpl. Timothy G. Serwinowski was killed in action on 6/21/10.
North Tonawanda Native Killed in Afghanistan Flown Back to
WNY
Michael Wooten Robert Macko
2 months ago
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION - The body of Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Timothy Serwinowski,
21, of North Tonawanda was flown home to Western New York Friday morning from the Dover Air Force
Base in Delaware.
Serwinowski died Monday from combat injuries he suffered in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan, one of
the most dangerous areas in the war-torn country. A private charter jet flew Serwinowski's body to the
Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.
Dozens of Serwinowski's family members and friends watched from the tarmac as the plane landed.
Several Marines escorted his immediate family members closer to the plane. A seven member Marine
Corps funeral detail carried Serwinowski's flag-draped casket from the plane to a waiting hearse.
Send a message of condolence to the Serwinowski family.
Members of the Patriot Guard Riders and several police agencies escorted the hearse to the Amigone
Funeral Home in the Town of Tonawanda. As the procession was leaving the base, Air Force National
Guard members and reservists saluted the hearse as it passed by them. Several residents along the route
to the funeral home also stood outside with American flags in honor of Serwinowski's sacrifice for his
country.
The Patriot Guard Riders will also be stationed in front of the funeral home for the calling hours and funeral.
Ride Captain Joseph Shiah said the Patriot Guard members only come to funerals at the family's request.
"If we can lift some of the burden of their grief we've done our job," said Shiah. "And the families, every
single time we've done this, and I think I'm up to 15 missions now in the last five years, they're very, very,
very grateful and appreciative." Shiah said there are situations where family members of a fallen soldier do
not want them around because of the attention it brings to the situation. "If we're not invited, we don't go,"
Shiah said.
Calling hours for Serwinowski are Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from noon until 4:00
p.m. at the Amigone Funeral Home at 2600 Sheridan Drive in the Town of Tonawanda. His funeral is
Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home where he will receive full military honors.
http://www.wgrz.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=97896234001#/Remembering%20Fallen%20
Marine/97896234001
http://www.wgrz.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=102823679001#/Fallen%20Marine%20Arrives
%20in%20WNY/102823679001
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Last Full Measure's Notes
LCpl. Timothy G. Serwinowski, 21, was killed June 21 in Helmand province, Afghanistan. "He
was a great guy."
by Last Full Measure on Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 10:10pm
NT honors a hero
TOWN OF TONAWANDA, NY - A U.S. congressman, two state representatives, a mayor and several Marines,
veterans, American Legion members and clergy attended the funeral services for Timothy "Win" Serwinowski
Saturday afternoon.
Serwinowski's mother and father, sister and brother spoke of their 21-year-old son and sibling, who was killed by a
sniper June 21 while serving his country with the Marines in Afghanistan.
Two lance corporals sat along the sidelines wearing their dress uniforms. Matt McElhinney of Verona and Matt
Tonstad of Ohio were not in the official military delegation of about 20 Marines but wanted to play their last respects
to their brother in arms.
"We tried to get official duty to come up here, but they could only send two people to escort Tim's body, so we took
leave on our own," Tonstad said.
McElhinney and Tonstad began their trip from North Carolina. McElhinney was in Serwinowski's platoon for two
years. The Marines shared mud huts and patrol duties.
"We were always training and stuff. I saw him every day," said McElhinney, who was evacuated out of harm's way
March 10.
"He was a great guy, always making jokes, always laughing," Tonstad said.
Serwinowski graduated from North Tonawanda High School in 2007. He played wide receiver on the Lumberjacks
football team. He joined the Marine Corps a year after he graduated.
Serwinowski was killed in Helmand province, a rural southern province west of Kandahar. Both Helmand and
Kandahar provinces are considered Taliban strongholds and are a major focus of a U.S. military offensive undertaken
this year.
His body arrived Friday morning at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station. He is the first North Tonawanda soldier to
be killed in the line of fire in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
All the rooms at Amigone Funeral Home were filled with mourners, and two Marines were posted at the open casket
as people knelt and prayed. After prayers and the singing of "Amazing Grace," Tim's mom, Sally A. Urban, told of
loving text messages from her son. Mom and son shared a birthday, and she always felt Tim was her birthday present.
Tim wrote, "Dear Mom, I love you with all my heart ... I hope you are as proud of me as I am proud of Poppi."
Mom said, "I'm so proud of the man you've become."
Tim's father, Phillip A. Serwinowski, told of his son's exasperating saxophone lessons.
His brother, sister and friends called Tim their best friend, their hero. They spoke of his sense of humor and how he put
others ahead of himself. He took life in strideand lived to the fullest.
Services were attended by members of the Marine Corps League, who wore red coats and caps, motorcyclists in
leather and many young people.
Five Marines and one airman carried Tim's coffin out of the funeral home to a tent where the family gathered.
The Marines lifted the flag off the coffin, folded it and presented it to Tim's mother. Another flag was presented to
Tim's father.
Marine protocol calls for the presenter to kneel and say, "On behalf of the president of the United States, the
commandant of the Marine Corps and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your
loved one's service to country and corps."
State Sen. George Maziarz and Assemblyman Robin Schimminger presented the family with the Conspicuous Service
Award from New York state. U.S. Rep.
Chris Lee and North Tonawanda Mayor Robert G. Ortt also attended the services. Mourners lined both sides of
Sheridan Drive.
The Marines fired off a 21-gun salute, and "Taps" was played.
A ceremony for Serwinowski will be featured in today's commencement ceremony at Artpark in Lewiston, prior to the
granting of honorary diplomas to past veterans from the city.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Timothy's name to the North Tonawanda High School Scholarship Fund,
Meadow Drive, North Tonawanda, N.Y., 14120.
This story can be found at http://tonawanda-news.com/local/x1703940908/NT-honors-a-hero.
It is property of Tonawanda News.
LCpl. Timothy G. Serwinowski and his family (photo courtesy Facebook)
Pfc. David T. Miller
Hometown: Wilton, New York, U.S.
Age: 19 years old
Died: June 21, 2010 in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Unit: Army, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne
Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Incident: Died at Lar Sholtan Village, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when a suicide bomber
attacked their unit.
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
On the Web:
Public contact:
http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=13638
http://www.defense.gov/landing/comment.aspx
Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 529-10
June 24, 2010
DOD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation
Enduring Freedom.
They died June 21 at Lar Sholtan Village, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered when a suicide bomber
attacked their unit. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team,
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Killed were:
Pfc. David T. Miller, 19, of Wilton, N.Y.
Spc. Andrew R. Looney, 22, of Owasso, Okla.
For more information, the media may contact the Fort Campbell public affairs office at 270-798-3025.
NY, Okla. soldiers killed in Afghan bomb attack
Associated Press
Last updated: 1:47 a.m., Thursday, June 24, 2010
WILTON, N.Y. -- Soldiers from New York and Oklahoma have been killed in Afghanistan.
The Department of Defense says Pfc. David T. Miller and Spc. Andrew R. Looney were supporting
Operation Enduring Freedom.
They died Monday at Lar Sholtan Village from wounds suffered when a suicide bomber attacked their
unit. They were assigned to Fort Campbell in Kentucky.
Miller was from Wilton, N.Y. He was 19.
Looney was from Owasso, Okla. He was 22.
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Pfc David Taylor Miller
June 24th, 2010
Born: November 11, 1990
Died: June 21, 2010 in Afghanistan
Pfc David Taylor Miller of Saratoga Springs, New York was born on Veteran’s Day, and spent his early
life in Amherst, Virginia on the former estate of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, who ‘Taylor’ is
related to. While there, he attended Amherst County High School. He later transferred to Saratoga High
School where he graduated in 2009. As a football player he wore jersey # 72 playing offensive and
defensive lineman. Known best by his middle name, ‘Taylor’, he enlisted in the Army in July of 2009
just after graduation. He had been in Afghanistan for six weeks and was expected to be back home on
leave in November of 2010. Taylor considered getting a psychology degree when he left the Army.
Taylor boasted perfect southern manners and was well respected by everyone from his teachers, his
teammates, his community, and on through to his comrades in battle. He leaves his mother, Leslie
Miller and his father, Jesse Miller among others.
Army
2nd Battalion
327th Infantry Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia
Funeral services at Arlington National Cemetery planned for Pfc. David Taylor
Miller
Published: Thursday, June 24, 2010
By MAREESA NICOSIA, The Saratogian
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Funeral services for 19-year-old Pfc. David Taylor Miller will be held at
Arlington National Cemetery later this week, according to his mother, Leslie Forbert Miller.
Pfc. Miller, who went by his middle name, “Taylor,” was a 2009 graduate of Saratoga Springs High School.
He was killed in a suicide bomb blast in Afghanistan Monday while serving with the 101st Airborne
Division of the U.S. Army.
As a sophomore in high school, he moved to the city from Amherst, Va., and played varsity football for two
years before joining the Army after graduation last summer, family members said.
Leslie Miller remembered her son Wednesday while en route to Dover, Del., to meet his body as it arrived
on U.S. soil.
“He was just the most fabulous person anyone would want as a son or a child or a husband. Anything you
could want in a person,” she said.
In addition to a military service in Arlington, a memorial service for family and friends will be held in
Saratoga later this summer. More specific information will be available at a later date, Leslie Miller added.
“Like I’ve been telling everyone, if you want to remember Taylor, if you want to honor Taylor, go out and
do good things and honor your fellow man,” she said.
Leslie Miller added that she hopes to prepare a student scholarship in his name.
“Something good has to come of something bad,” she said.
She also expressed her thanks to the community for the outpouring of support in the form of phone calls, emails, Facebook messages and text messages since Tuesday.
“I’ve been in Saratoga five years, and this is just the best community,” she said. “People are so quick to offer
help and there are so many resources in the town. I can only say that Saratoga is what Taylor was — so
caring and so kind.”
Saratoga Springs City School District Superintendent Dr. Janice White said a moment of silence will be held
at today’s 9 a.m. graduation ceremony and at the 7:30 p.m. Board of Education meeting.
Counselors were at the high school Wednesday and will be available for the next few days if students or
families need help, she said.
Remembering David Taylor Miller: Share memories, offer condolences
Published: Wednesday, June 23, 2010
The Saratoga Springs community lost 19-year-old Pfc. David Taylor Miller Monday when he was killed by a
suicide bomber while serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.
Miller was a 2009 graduate of Saratoga Springs High School where he played varsity football; he transferred
there from Amherst, Va. as a high school sophomore. He was a marksman with the 101st Airborne Division
and arrived in Afghanistan less than two months ago, according to a family member.
Funeral services will be held in Arlington, Va this week. A memorial serivce is planned for Saratoga Springs
later this summer but details have not yet been released.
Everyone at the Saratogian offers condolences to Miller's family and friends. We want to offer this space for
family, friends and community members to share memories, thoughts and prayers with each other.
Please remember that this page is dedicated to David Taylor Miller's memory and keep your comments
respectful and to that topic.
Top of Form
Did You Know David T. Miller? - And Response
posted June 28, 2010
David T. Miller graduated from Sarasota Springs High School in Wilton, New York in
June of 2009. His family and friends call him Taylor. He went straight to the Army
recruiting station and signed up for duty. He even encouraged his friends to join with
him. They chose to go different ways. His friends say he was the best friend a guy
could have. Funny and fun loving. He was sent to Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne.
He was told not to shoot at anybody unless you could see a weapon in their hands. So,
when a Taliban approached his position, looking no different than a civilian he never
had a chance to defend himself.
So, between 5 and 6 p.m. on June 21 2010, this fine young man and his buddy in the 101st, Andrew
Looney, 22, of Owasso, Ok. were killed instantly by a suicide bomber. 19 years old, proudly doing his
duty. I didn't know him either. You should at least know about him. Don't forget what is happening in
Afghanistan.
Thank you, Mr. Harry Presley, for honoring and remembering Pfc. David T. Miller. He was a fine,
respectful and honorable man and he is dearly missed.
The soldier he was killed with in eastern Afghanistan was Sgt. Andrew Looney. Looney grew up in
Owasso, Ok. Sgt. Looney enlisted in the Army right after high school graduation in 2005. He was
deployed to Iraq in February of 2007, which was when the "Surge" or military escalation took place in
Iraq.
In August, 2007 Sgt. Looney was riding in a humvee when they hit a roadside bomb (I.E.D). The
explosion blew off part of Looney's right foot.
Sgt. Looney spent nearly a year at the Brooke Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, getting
rehabilitation and being fitted for a prosthesis. His father, Richard Looney, told the Tulsa World
newspaper: "While he was at Brooke, I kept thinking he would pursue other interests," but his son was
not interested in anything, not even going to college. Andrew's only interest was getting back in to the
Army.
The day he was discharged from the hospital, he re-enlisted with the Army and was assigned to the
101st Airborne Division. He left for Afghanistan in April of 2010.
His father told the paper "his son was very patriotic and wanted to make a difference."
America, please remember Pfc. David Miller and Sgt. Andrew Looney. Their lives mattered. Never forget
their sacrifice.
On a sad note, the war has hit home for our area, too. The Department of Defense announced tonight
the death of Lance Corporal William Richards of Trenton. He was 20 years old and was killed during
combat operations in the Helmand province of Afghanistan on June 26. My deepest condolences to his
family and his friends.
Semper Fi, LCPL William Richards.
Sandy Lusk
Signal Mountain
Pfc. David T. Miller, 19, of Wilton, NY. Miller joined the Army in July 2009 and arrived at Fort Campbell
in November 2009.
Miller’s awards and decorations include: National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service
Medal; Army Service Ribbon; and Weapons Qualification: M4, expert.
Miller his survived by his mother, Leslie Miller, of Wilton, NY; and father, Jesse Miller of Madison
Heights, VA.
A memorial ceremony will be held in Afghanistan. Fort Campbell holds a monthly Eagle Remembrance
Ceremony to honor the fallen. The next ceremony will be held July 21st at 4:00pm.
Army Pfc. David Taylor Miller laid to rest at Arlington National
Cemetery
July 28, 2010 at 5:20 pm by Susan Mehalick
Army Pfc. David Taylor Miller, who was killed in June in a suicide bomb attack in northern Afghanistan,
was buried today at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Taylor Miller, as he was known by family and friends, was 19. He graduated from Saratoga Springs High
School last year. He had moved to Wilton from Amherst, Va., with his mother, Leslie Miller, as a high
school junior.
Read about the service and view a photo gallery at www.timesunion.com.
Pfc. David Taylor Miller

A military honor guard folds the American flag that covered the casket of Pfc. David Taylor Miller as his family and
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates observe at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday. (Meredith McDermott/
Hearst Newspapers)

After receiving American flags at the funeral of their son, Pfc. David Taylor Miller, Leslie Miller and Jesse Miller are
saluted by Maj. Gen. Richard Formica at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday. (Meredith McDermott/ Hearst
Newspapers)

The casket of Army Pfc. David Taylor Miller is carried during his funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery in
Arlington, Va., Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Miller of Wilton died June 21 in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

A military honor guard lowers the casket of Pfc. David Taylor Miller at Arlington National Cemetery,on Wednesday July
28, 2010. (Meredith McDermott / Hearst Newspapers)

A caisson with the casket of Army Pfc. David Taylor Miller is carried to the burial site during his funeral services at
Arlington Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Miller of Wilton died June 21 in Afghanistan. (AP
Photo/Susan Walsh)

Defense Secretary Robert Gates watches during funeral services of Army Pfc. David Taylor Miller at Arlington National
Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, July 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

The casket of Army Pfc. David Taylor Miller is carried during his funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery in
Arlington, Va., Wednesday, July 28, 2010. Miller of Wilton died June 21 in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Bus trip organized for soldier's burial
By Jordan Carleo-evangelist Staff Writer
Published: 01:00 a.m., Saturday, July 10, 2010
SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Tickets are still available for a bus chartered to attend the Virginia funeral for Army Pfc.
David Taylor Miller, who was killed last month in a suicide bomb attack in northern Afghanistan.
Miller's funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. July 28 at Arlington National Cemetery just outside Washington, D.C., said
Tammy LaFarr, a family friend who is organizing the trip.
LaFarr said that as of Friday there were 38 seats left on the bus, which will leave around 3 a.m. that morning from
Upstate Tours' depot on Geyser Road.
If the bus sells out, tickets will cost $37 each, LaFarr said.
A reception is scheduled for between 3 and 5 p.m. following the funeral, after which the bus will head back north,
arriving in Saratoga Springs around midnight, LaFarr said.
Miller, 19, a marksman, joined the Army shortly after graduating from Saratoga Springs High School last year and had
been in Afghanistan since April.
Those interested in attending the service can contact LaFarr at 587-6564 or by e-mail at TLaFarr@nycap.rr.com.
Local service will be set for soldier
By DENNIS YUSKO Staff Writer Published: 01:00 a.m., Thursday, June 24, 2010
SARATOGA SPRINGS -- The body of Army Pfc. David Taylor Miller was scheduled to land in the United States
Wednesday evening, and a local service for him will be held after he is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, his
aunt said.
Miller, 19, and another soldier died Monday when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device near a checkpoint
they were guarding in the Kunar Province of northern Afghanistan, his aunt, Suzanne Diorio, said. He had been in the
country for six weeks with the 101st Airborne Division, Diorio said.
Taylor Miller, as friends and family knew him, was a Southern gentleman from Amherst, Va., who came to Wilton
with his mother as a high school junior about three years ago, according to family. He absolutely loved Saratoga
Springs, according to his family.
Miller played lineman for the Saratoga Springs varsity football team for two years. He joined the Army straight out of
high school last summer and worked as a marksman.
"He was a sensitive, sweet, big-hearted, polite, respectful young boy who was just hitting his stride," Diorio said. "He
always had a kind word, always put himself last."
Miller was due to land at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware at around 7 p.m. Wednesday, his aunt said. He will be
buried in Arlington in Virginia because that is what he would have wanted, Diorio said. Family members are
organizing a local service for after he is buried, Diorio said.
Miller's father lives in Virginia and was a Marine. Miller always held an interest in military and world history. He
moved with his mother, Leslie, to the Capital Region to be close to his aunt and grandparents, Diorio said. The family
requests that any memorial donations go to a fund in Miller's name that will be set up.
"He helped us enjoy freedoms we take for granted every day," Diorio said. "We should be sad, but we should
be proud."
Afghan bomb kills Saratoga Springs soldier
By DENNIS YUSKO Staff Writer Published: 01:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 23, 2010
SARATOGA SPRINGS -- A 19-year-old Saratoga Springs man became the second soldier from the Capital Region to
be killed in Afghanistan in the last week, city school district officials said Tuesday.
David Taylor Miller, who was known by his middle name, and another soldier were killed Monday by a bomb thrown
by an Afghan, A family friend told an ABC news station in Virginia. Miller had moved to Gansevoort with his family
from Virginia a few years ago. Official information on how and when Miller was killed could not be confirmed with
the Department of Defense Tuesday.
Miller had played two years of varsity football for the Saratoga Springs Blue Streaks before graduating from the
district in 2009. He joined the Army right out of high school last July, according to his Facebook page.
"A bright young man with so much potential was taken from our community," Janice White, superintendent of
Saratoga Springs schools, said in a statement. "We grieve with his family in their profound sorrow."
Miller is the second Capital Region soldier to die in as many weeks. His hometown was Amherst, Va., according to his
Facebook page, where he is pictured in an Army vest.
Miller served in the Army as a designated marksman, and landed in Afghanistan in April, according to the web page.
He had played lineman for the Saratoga Springs football team, his former coach Terry Jones said. He came to practice
every day, had perfect manners and was well respected by teammates, Jones said.
"What I remember most is his beautiful, large smile," the coach said. "It's a tragedy. He will certainly be missed."
The Department of Defense has not released information about the latest casualty report from overseas. The military
waits 24 hours after all next of kin are notified before confirming deaths.
But word got out at the school, prompting White to release a five-sentence statement.
"Less than one year ago, David crossed the stage at graduation. We graduate young men and women to be courageous
and of good character. David Miller's service to our country has humbled us," White wrote.
Miller's death is part of a burst of violence that has recently hit service members in Afghanistan, where American
troops have been stationed since 2001. American deaths in the country have increased every year since 2003, with 521
reported in 2009. At least 287 coalition members have been killed so far this year, with at least 67 occurring this
month, according to casualty websites.
On June 15, Army Spc. Benjamin D. Osborn of Queensbury died in an insurgent attack in Afghanistan. He was shot
twice, and will be buried Thursday in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. The Virginia-based ABC
news station reported Tuesday that Miller would be buried near his former home in Arlington National Cemetery.
David "Taylor" Miller
First Class Private David "Taylor" Miller
First Class Private David "Taylor" Miller was killed in action June 21, 2010, in Afghanistan.
Taylor was born and raised in Central Virginia, calling Amherst home. He attended Amherst County High School until
2007. He moved to be with his mother in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and graduated from high school there in 2009. He
played football at both schools. He had been a part of Boy Scouts of America Troop 43 Amherst. He attended The
Church of the Epiphany in Amherst, having been confirmed in the church.
He is survived by his father, Jess Miller, of Madison Heights, formerly of Amherst; mother, Leslie Forbert Miller, of
Saratoga, N.Y.; a sister, Victoria Leigh Miller Ferguson, of Alexandria; and maternal grandparents, David and Amy
Forbert, of Saratoga, N.Y.
Taylor was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Wilbur Sr. and Viola Miller, of Norfolk.
A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 1, 2010, at The Church of the Epiphany. There will be a burial
at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Jess Miller and family will receive condolences after the memorial
service.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Church of the Epiphany's Taylor Miller scholarship fund, 104 Epiphany
Court, Amherst, VA 24521, (434) 946-2524. The scholarship fund was requested by Taylor's father and is being set up
by the church and will include members of the community. The scholarship will be considered for high school
graduates who want to continue their education and go to college.
Published in The News & Advance on June 30, 2010
Spec. Blair D. Thompson
Hometown: Rome, New York, U.S.
Age: 19 years old
Died: June 25, 2010 in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Unit: Army, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne
Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Incident: Died at Konar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked their unit using
rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire.
http://centralny.ynn.com/content/top_stories/509473/familyspeaks-out-after-the-loss-of-u-s--army-specialist-blairthompson/?ap=1&MP
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
On the Web:
Public contact:
http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=13655
http://www.defense.gov/landing/comment.aspx
Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 549-10
June 28, 2010
DOD Identifies Army Casualties
The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation
Enduring Freedom.
They died June 25 at Konar, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked their unit using
rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st
Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
Killed were:
Spc. Blair D. Thompson, 19, of Rome, N.Y.
Spc. Jared C. Plunk, 27, of Stillwater, Okla.
For more information, the media may contact the Fort Campbell public affairs office at 270-798-3025.
An Army carry team carries the transfer case containing the remains of Army Spc. Blair D. Thompson of
Rome N.Y. upon his arrival at Dover Air Force Base, Del. on Saturday, June 26, 2010. The Department of
Defense announced the death of Army Specialist Blair D. Thompson who was supporting Operation
Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan.
Spc Blair D. Thompson
June 28th, 2010
Born: September 1990
Died: June 25, 2010 in Konar, Afghanistan
Spc. Blair D. Thompson, 19, of Rome, N.Y., died June 25 at Konar, Afghanistan, of wounds
sustained when insurgents attacked their unit using rocket propelled grenades and small arms
fire. His awards and decorations include: National Defense Service Medal; Global War on
Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Air Assault Badge and Weapons Qualification:
M4 (expert). He is survived by his mother, Arena Thompson, and his father, Vincent
Thompson.
Army
1st Battalion
327th Infantry Regiment
1st Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Burial: Rome, New York
Page added on June 30, 2010
Flags to Be Flown at Half-Staff
for Thompson
ALBANY, NY (06/29/2010)(read Media)– Governor David A.
Paterson has directed that flags on New York State government
buildings be flown at half-staff on Wednesday, June 30, in
honor of Army Specialist Blair D. Thompson, a Rome resident
who died in Konar Province, Afghanistan on June 25.
Specialist Thompson was killed when insurgents attacked his unit with rocket propelled
grenades and small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment,
1st Brigade Combat Team, of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) which is stationed at
Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
“On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend our condolences to the friends, family and fellow
soldiers of Specialist Thompson,” Governor Paterson said. “We join them in grieving the death
of this fine young soldier, but we will never forget his sacrifice for our nation and we will
honor his memory and his service.”
Governor Paterson has directed the flags on all State buildings to be lowered to half-staff in
honor and tribute to our State’s service members who are killed in action or die in a combat
zone.
Spc. Blair D. Thompson
Spc. Blair D. Thompson
Spc. Blair D. Thompson, 19, of Rome, NY. Thompson entered the Army in July 2008 and arrived at
Fort Campbell in December 2008.
His awards and decorations include: National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism
Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Air Assault Badge and Weapons Qualification: M4 (expert).
He is survived by his mother, Arena Thompson of Vernon, NY; and father, Vincent Thompson, of
Rome, NY.
A memorial service will be held in Afghanistan. Fort Campbell holds a monthly Eagle Remembrance
Ceremony. The next ceremony will be held July 21st at 4:00pm and McAuliffe Hall.
Military rites set for Fort Stanwix
Religious services and military honors are expected to be held this week in St. Peter’s Church and at nearby
Fort Stanwix National Monument for Army Spc. Blair D. Thompson.
Just when those rites will occur, however, depends on when the remains of the 19-year-old soldier reach
Rome from Dover AFB, Del. Previously, the air charter service employed by the military has used Griffiss
International Airport. It is possible, however, that the flight might land in Syracuse instead. Thompson’s
family and the Barry Funeral Home are awaiting confirmation of details from the Department of Defense.
Thompson, a 2008 graduate of Rome Free Academy, was killed Friday in Afghanistan, He was deployed
there in May.
Funeral director Kevin T. Barry said a Mass will be celebrated in St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church on
North James Street.
Calling hours as well as date and time of the service will be announced, Barry said.
Main celebrant of the service in St. Peter’s will be the Rev. Paul Carey, former pastor of St. Joseph’s Church
in Lee Center for 12 years. He just assumed duties at a parish in Waterville.
Barry said the church service will be followed by a committal service with military honors on the grounds of
Fort Stanwix National Monument, just south of St. Peter’s. Private burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in
the Town of Lee.
Ceremonies for Thompson will follow much of the same procedures as the services conducted for Marine
Lance Cpl. Blaise A. Oleski, 22, of Floyd, who was killed in action on April 8, 2009.
Thompson, 19, and Spc. Jared C. Plunk, 27, of Stillwater, Okla., were killed Friday in Konar, eastern
Afghanistan, according to officials at Fort Campbell, Ky. Their unit was attacked with rocket-propelled
grenades and small-arms fire. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade
Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
Thompson was hit by shrapnel in an earlier attack soon after arriving in Afghanistan, according to his father,
Vincent Thompson, of Little Falls. He mother Arena Young, of Vernon, is also among survivors.
Thompson entered the Army in July 2008 and arrived at Fort Campbell in December of that year.
His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service
Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Air Assault Badge and Weapons Qualification: M4 (expert).
Plunk was survived by his wife, Lindsay Plunk, and their two sons, Kason Plunk and Noah Fisher, all of
Clarksville, Tenn., and mother Glenda Willard, of Maryville, Tenn.
According to Fort Campbell, nine other soldiers from the 327th Infantry Regiment were killed in
Afghanistan this month. They are: Sgt. Andrew R. Looney, 22, of Owasso, Okla.; Pfc. David T. Miller, 19,
of Wilton, N.Y.; Sgt. Nathan W. Cox, 27, of Fremont, Calif.; Spc. Benjamin D. Osborn, 27, of Queensbury,
N.Y.; 1st Sgt. Robert N. Barton II, 31, of Roxie, Miss.; Sgt. Joshua A. Lukeala, 23, of Yigo, Guam; Spc.
Matthew R. Catlett, 23, of Houston, Texas; Spc. Charles S. Jirtle, 29, of Lawton, Okla.; and Spc. Blaine F.
Redding, 22, of Plattsmouth, Neb.
Army Spc. Blair D. Thompson
Died June 25, 2010 serving during Operation Enduring Freedom
19, of Rome, N.Y.; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st
Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.; died June 25 at Konar, Afghanistan, of wounds
sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire. Also killed
in the attack was Spc. Jared C. Plunk.
Upstate NY soldier killed in Afghanistan fighting
ROME, N.Y. (AP) — The father of a soldier from central New York who was injured in an attack in
Afghanistan last month says his son has been killed in another attack.
Vincent Thompson of Little Falls says his 19-year-old son, Army Spc. Blair Thompson of Vernon, was killed
last Friday when his unit was ambushed by insurgents in Kunar Province.
Thompson deployed to Afghanistan in May. He was serving with the 101st Airborne Division&apos;s 1st
Brigade Combat Team.
The elder Thompson says his son was hit by shrapnel during an earlier attack soon after arriving in
Afghanistan. Vincent Thompson says his son was offered a chance to heal but insisted on returning to his
unit.
Blair Thompson joined the Army after graduating from Rome Free Academy in 2008.
Funeral services are pending.
State lowers flags to honor fallen Vernon soldier Blair
Thompson
Published: Wednesday, June 30, 2010, 8:29 AM
AM
John Mariani / The Post-Standard
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Updated: Wednesday, June 30, 2010, 8:54
Vernon, NY – Flags at state government buildings are to fly at half staff today in honor of
Army Spc. Blair D. Thompson, the soldier from Vernon who was killed Friday when his unit
was attacked by insurgents in Konar Province, Afghanistan.
Thompson, 19, already had been wounded once since shipping out in May to Afghanistan. He
was serving with Headquarters, 327th Infantry Regiment, the 1st Brigade Combat Team,
101st Airborne Division, Ft. Campbell, Ky.
Gov. David Paterson ordered the honor for Thompson.
An Army carry team carries the transfer case containing the remains of Army Spc. Blair D. Thompson of
Rome N.Y. upon his arrival at Dover Air Force Base, Del. on Saturday, June 26, 2010. The Department of
Defense announced the death of Army Specialist Blair D. Thompson who was supporting Operation
Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
An Army carry team carries the transfer case containing the remains of Army Spc. Blair D. Thompson of
Rome N.Y. upon his arrival at Dover Air Force Base, Del. on Saturday, June 26, 2010. The Department of
Defense announced the death of Army Specialist Blair D. Thompson who was supporting Operation
Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
An Army carry team moves from the transfer vehicles after placing the transfer cases containing the
remains of Army Specialist Blair D. Thompson of Rome N.Y., Nathan W. Cox of Fremont, Calif. and Jared
C. Plunk of Stillwater, Okla. upon arrival at Dover Air Force Base, Del. on Saturday, June 26, 2010. The
Department of Defense announced the death of Army Specialist Blair D. Thompson , Nathan W. Cox and
Jared C. Plunk who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Jose Luis
Magana)
SPC. Blair D. Thompson
Army SPC. Blair D. Thompson June 25, 2010,
Army SPC. Blair D. Thompson, age 19, was killed in action, June 25, 2010, in Afghanistan, while proudly
and courageously serving his Country in the war against terrorism. He was born September 29, 1990, in
Rome, a son of Vincent Thompson and Arena Young, and graduated from Rome Free Academy in 2008. He
was a member of the St. Joseph’s Church, Lee Center.
Blair loved his family, friends and community. He enjoyed facing the adventures and challenges of life headon. He proudly enlisted in the United States Army in 2008.
Blair is survived by his loving parents, Vincent and Arena; his brothers, SPC. Sean, of Ft. Detrick, MD,
Noah, of Rome, Gavin, of Rome, and Bryant Benway of Vernon; grandmothers and grandfathers, Paul and
Marian Thompson of Lee Center, Dorothy Johnson of Boonville and Fred Young of Heuvelton, NY;
Stepmother, Jennifer L. Thompson of Rome; many aunts, uncles, cousins and devoted friends.
A Funeral Mass will be held Sunday, July 4 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Peter’s Church. The Committal Service with
Full Military Honors will immediately follow at the Fort Stanwix National Park. Relatives and friends may
call at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, Saturday 2 to 8 p.m.
Soldier's father: Come honor 'true patriot'
Funeral details for Thompson expected soon
By ELIZABETH COOPER
Observer-Dispatch
Posted Jun 27, 2010 @ 06:33 PM
Last update Jun 28, 2010 @ 12:25 AM
ROME —
Since Army Spc. Blair Thompson was killed Friday in Afghanistan, his father said he has been moved by all
of the many messages friends have left on his son’s Facebook page.
Young men and women were posting statements about the 2008 Rome Free Academy graduate such as:
“You were always there for me” and “You were always such a good friend,” he said.
Vincent Thompson, of Little Falls, said he wanted to extend a special invitation to those friends, along with
anyone who knew his son — and those who didn’t — to attend the upcoming funeral services and other
ceremonies honoring Blair Thompson’s life.
“I want anyone Blair ever touched in life, or anyone that ever touched his life to attend,” Vincent Thompson
said Sunday. “Being the great man he was and that he became, I want everyone to be able to witness this and
see a true hero and a true American and a true patriot.”
Blair Thompson, 19, was killed when his unit in Afghanistan was ambushed by insurgents. He had been
deployed just last month.
Family members plan to meet today with representatives from the Army at Barry Funeral Home to discuss
plans for the funeral, Vincent Thompson said. Details then will be made public, he said.
Blair Thompson’s remains were flown to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware Saturday night. It’s unclear
whether his body now will be flown into Griffiss International Airport or another location and when that
would happen, said Sgt. David Fallon, a military liaison for the family.
But no matter what the location, military organizations will be there when Thompson comes home, Fallon
said.
A color guard from Marcy Correctional Facility, where Vincent Thompson works, Fallon said. He also is
hoping the Patriot Guard will be there as well.
And RFA’s Air Force JROTC instructor also said she will be doing what she can to help the family.
“He was very patriotic,” Della Pray said of Blair Thompson. “That was because of his upbringing.”
Rome Mayor James Brown said his city would do everything it could to make sure the ceremony went as
well as possible.
“We are going to be involved at the same level as we were for Daniel Geary,” he said, referring to Marine
Lance Cpl. Daniel Geary, a Roman who was killed in Afghanistan in 2009. “The city will work with the
funeral director on the police presence and on whatever we have to do.”
Copyright 2010 The Observer-Dispatch. Some rights reserved
Blair Thompson remembered at funeral, military service
Published: Thursday, July 08, 2010
By Bruce Entelisano
Rome Observer Managing Editor
ROME - Rome Free Academy graduate and Army Spc. Blair Thompson was remembered during funeral
services at St. Peter's Catholic Church on Sunday, July 4, 2010.
Photo Courtesy of Fort Stanwix National Monument, Michael Huchko The funeral for U.S. Army Spec.
Blair D. Thompson proceeds down South James St. on Sunday, July 4, 2010.
Thompson, a 2008 graduate of RFA, was killed last week by insurgents in Afghanistan.
Military honors followed on the grounds at Fort Stanwix National Monument.
Photo Courtesy of Fort Stanwix National Monument, Michael Huchko U.S. Army Spec. Blair D. Thompson
was honored with a military service at Fort Stanwix on Sunday, July 4, 2010.
Photo Courtesy of Fort Stanwix National Monument, Michael Huchko Fire Squad at attention during Taps,
with the Fort Stanwix re-enactors on the fort bastion above.
Photo Courtesy of Fort Stanwix National Monument, Michael Huchko The funeral for U.S. Army Spec.
Blair D. Thompson proceeds down South James St. on Sunday, July 4, 2010.
http://www.romeobserver.com/articles/2010/07/08/news/doc4c2e2665374d0662456388.tx
t
Fallen hero, Blair Thompson, laid to rest
By EMMA WRIGHT
Story Created: Jul 4, 2010 at 7:03 PM EDT
Story Updated: Jul 6, 2010 at 11:34 AM EDT
ROME, N.Y. (WKTV) - A local hero was laid to rest Sunday. Family and friends gathered in Rome
Sunday afternoon to say goodbye to Specialist Blair Thompson.
The 19 year old was killed on June 25th when his unit was attacked by rocket propelled grenades.
Thompson's leaders say he was the kind of guy you would want to have on your side and he never
worried about making the ultimate sacrifice.
Vincent Thompson calls his son a true American hero. He says Blair always wanted to be in the
military. He enlisted when he graduated from high school and served with the 101st Airborne Division's
First Brigade Combat Team.
"When he was at Fort Campbell...I would always tell him to be careful...and he would always say, that's
my job dad," Thompson said.
So on this 4th of July, friends and family are giving a final salute to a fallen comrade, and remembering
Blair Thompson as a modest man and a brave solider.
http://www.wktv.com/news/local/97775449.html
Updated 07/05/2010 10:07 AM
Fourth of July funeral for fallen soldier
By: Sarah Hagen
This year, the City of Rome marked the Fourth of July by honoring the life of U.S. Army Specialist Blair
Thompson. Our Sarah Hagen was there, as the meaning of Independence Day was rediscovered.
ROME, N.Y. - Flags lined the streets and hundreds turned out in Rome Sunday - but not for the usual
Fourth of July festivities.
Former Reverend at Family's Parish Father Paul Carey said, "It is an honor to be here, to be at this
celebration."
The celebration honored fallen soldier Blair Thompson.
The 19-year-old was killed in Afghanistan after his unit was attacked by insurgents.
Thompson's father honored his son at the funeral - an explosive, and emotional standing ovation followed.
U.S. Army General Officer Representative General Thomas Cole said, "They are absolutely devastated, but
very proud for what Blair did for his country."
For many, having the funeral land on Independence Day, the Fourth of July, it was a somber reminder of
what this day truly stands for.
Father Carey said, "On this Fourth of July we have much to be thankful for, for all these men and women
who are service in the armed services."
General Cole said, "It's a reminded that great Americans, the best of the best of this country, are losing their
lives, defending our country."
And it's hoped this tragedy will trigger another reminder - a wakeup call for the public.
"Sometimes you wonder if our country keeps in mind that we are at war, that we've been at war for nine
years," said General Cole.
For all years past and years to come, Father Carey hopes one message is clear...
"We always have to give thanks for our military for what they do. Many times they are the unsung heroes
and we forget the military. Yet, they are always there defending us," said Father Carey.
Following the funeral, official military honors were held at Fort Stanwix.
http://centralny.ynn.com/content/all_news/510048/4th-of-july-funeral-for-fallen-soldier/
Funeral services held for Rome native killed in Afghanistan
Last Update: 7/04 5:36 pm
Rome, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) -- Funeral services for Blair Thompson, a Rome native killed in Afghanistan, were held at
Saint Peter's Church in Rome Sunday afternoon.
Dozens of veterans and members of the military stood at attention for the funeral procession. For Thompson's
friends and family, this Fourth of July was a mix of pride and pain.
"He did the ultimate sacrifice," said Dieter Gilbert. "He served for his country and we should be here thinking of
his sacrifice because in America freedom isn't free."
Flags at City Hall will fly at half-staff this holiday weekend in Thompson's honor.
Rome (WSYR-TV) - The body of Blair Thompson, a Rome native killed in Afghanistan, has been returned home.
He was flown in Friday from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. The reunion was tearful for his family, friends,
and community.
Blair Thompson's family and friends held a tearful gathering for an event they never would choose to attend.
Veterans groups, ROTC, and the Patriot Guard stood at attention, honoring Thompson and his family. An honor
guard of corrections officers also stood by. Thompson's father is an officer himself.
The city lined the route from Griffiss International Airport to Barry Funeral Home with flags like they've done
for other fallen soldiers. The community support will continue through the weekend.
Calling hours for Blair Thompson will be held Saturday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Barry's Funeral home on West
Chestnut Street in Rome. The funeral will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at St. Peter's Church followed by a
community reception at the VFW on North Washington Street.
Flags at half-staff for Rome native killed in Afghanistan
June 29
Rome (WSYR-TV) - Flags will fly at half-staff throughout the state on Wednesday in honor of a 19-year-old from
Rome who was killed in Afghanistan last Friday.
Blair Thompson, a 2008 Rome Free Academy graduate, had served overseas for only one month before he was
killed.
Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.
19-year-old Rome native killed in Afghanistan
June 28
Rome (WSYR-TV) - Funeral arrangements are being worked out for Army Specialist Blair Thompson. He was
killed in Afghanistan on Friday. The 2008 Rome Free Academy graduate had only served overseas for one
month when he was killed by insurgents.
The family of the 19-year-old soldier were extremely emotional when NewsChannel 9 spoke with them
Monday afternoon, trying to wrap their heads around the situation. Blair's mother found out at work on Friday
and has been in a fog ever since.
Serving in the military was always Blair's goal. From the time he was little, he was playing army in the backyard
with his brothers. Then his big brother Sean went into the army himself and that made Blair want to even
more. He signed up and left within days of graduating from RFA.
He was recently hurt by shrapnel and probably could have come home but wouldn't hear of it.
"We understand he could have come home on leave for awhile, but he didn't want to do that. He didn't think
he was bad enough off. He wanted to back, be with his buddies and finish what he started," Dorothy Johnson,
his grandmother said.
"I always knew he was a better man because of what he did, and where he had been and what he went
through; just what he did made me a stronger person, and made me want to live my life after him," Sean
Thompson, Blair's brother, said.
Blair Thompson would have been 20-years-old in September. His body is in Dover, Del., but the family isn't sure
when he will come back to Oneida County. They're hoping he'll be flown into Griffiss on Wednesday.
Rome plans to honor Blair to the full extent. The city will organize a parade from the air base to Barry Funeral
Home. The entire community is invited. Once the arrangements are set, we'll post them here.
Copyright 2010 Newport Television LLC All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten,
or redistributed.
Family speaks out after the loss of U.S. Army Specialist Blair Thompson
By: Sarah Hagen
Family and friends of a fallen Oneida County soldier are still waiting for his body to return home. Rome
native Blair Thompson was killed during an insurgent attack in Afghanistan on Friday. Our Sarah Hagen has
more as friends and family mourn his death.
VERNON, N.Y. - Friend Jeremy Aiello said, "He was ambushed on a patrol mission. He was a gunman.
There was nothing he could have really done."
U.S. Army Specialist Blair Thompson died in Afghanistan Friday.
Now, his friends and family want the story of their fallen soldier to be heard.
Friend Noah Bowers said, "He was always ready and willing to go on another mission. He was always
excited about it all. He never regretted going. That's where he wanted to be."
The 19-year-old was a 2008 graduate from Rome Free Academy. After he left high school, he immediately
went to basic training for the Army.
He was deployed to Afghanistan for the first time, about one month ago.
For his older brother, also a fellow soldier, he couldn't be more proud of his brother's 'ultimate sacrifice'.
Older Brother Sean Thompson said, "I want everyone to know that he was a great a patriot, great American,
and a fantastic brother. Could not have asked for a better brother."
Younger Brother Bryant Benway said, "It is unbearable. I can't believe what happened. I am devastated and
can't stop crying and thinking about him."
And now Blair Thompson's younger brother is thinking about following in his big brother's footsteps and
carrying on his legacy. It's news that left the family with mixed emotions."
Benway said, "to finish his dream, to end the war."
Grandmother Dorothy Johnson responded, "I am very, very proud. But scared to death."
Proud. It was a word that was used over and over when talking about Thompson.
But the family says - it doesn't stop there. Sacrifices are made every day in war.
Sean Thompson said, "there is just so much out there that soldiers, marines, and airmen and seamen. All of
them. And we are willing to give our lives for everyone."
A sacrifice, family and friends hope is always honored.
Thompson's body is expected to return home to Griffiss Airport sometime Tuesday.
We had previously reported that Thompson's body would be arriving at Griffiss Airport in Rome today. We
have since learned that is not the case and no official date or time has been decided.
Calling hours will take place at Barry Funeral Home in Rome and the funeral will be at St. Peter's Catholic
Church. A time and date have not yet been announced.
19-year-old Rome native killed in Afghanistan
June 28
Rome (WSYR-TV) - Funeral arrangements are being worked out for Army Specialist Blair Thompson. He was killed
in Afghanistan on Friday. The 2008 Rome Free Academy graduate had only served overseas for one month when he
was killed by insurgents.
The family of the 19-year-old soldier were extremely emotional when NewsChannel 9 spoke with them Monday
afternoon, trying to wrap their heads around the situation. Blair's mother found out at work on Friday and has been in a
fog ever since.
Serving in the military was always Blair's goal. From the time he was little, he was playing army in the backyard with
his brothers. Then his big brother Sean went into the army himself and that made Blair want to even more. He signed
up and left within days of graduating from RFA.
He was recently hurt by shrapnel and probably could have come home but wouldn't hear of it.
"We understand he could have come home on leave for awhile, but he didn't want to do that. He didn't think he was
bad enough off. He wanted to go back, to be with his buddies and finish what he started," Dorothy Johnson, his
grandmother said.
"I always knew he was a better man because of what he did, and where he had been and what he went through; just
what he did made me a stronger person, and made me want to live my life after him," Sean Thompson, Blair's brother,
said.
Blair Thompson would have been 20-years-old in September. His body is in Dover, Del., but the family isn't sure when
he will come back to Oneida County. They're hoping he'll be flown into Griffiss on Wednesday.
Rome plans to honor Blair to the full extent. The city will organize a parade from the air base to Barry Funeral Home.
The entire community is invited. Once the arrangements are set, we'll post them here.
Copyright 2010 Newport Television LLC All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten,
or redistributed.
Staff Sgt. Derek J. Farley
Hometown: Nassau, New York, U.S.
Age: 24 years old
Died: August 17, 2010 in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Unit: Army, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater
Sustainment Command, Grafenwoehr, Germany
Incident: Died at Bala Boluk, Farah, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when a makeshift bomb
detonated as he attempted to disarm it.
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
On the Web:
Public contact:
http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=13806
http://www.defense.gov/landing/comment.aspx
Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
or +1 (703) 428-0711 +1
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 737-10
August 18, 2010
DOD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring
Freedom.
Staff Sgt. Derek J. Farley, 24, of Nassau, N.Y., died Aug. 17 at Bala Boluk, Farah, Afghanistan, of wounds
sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated as he attempted to disarm it. He was assigned to the 18th
Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command,
Grafenwoehr, Germany.
For more information, the media may contact the 21st Theater Sustainment Command public affairs office at
011-49-631-413-8184.
Nassau soldier killed in Afghanistan (3:00 p.m.)
Published: Wednesday, August 18, 2010
BY KATIE NOWAK
THE RECORD
NASSAU – A soldier from Nassau has been killed in Afghanistan.
Broadcast reports said that Staff Sgt. Derek J. Farley died while diffusing a roadside bomb. He had
previously received a Purple Heart medal for wounds sustained while serving in Iraq.
Farley is the first soldier from Rensselaer County to be killed overseas since the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in
2001, said county spokesman Chris Meyer.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the Farley family as they mourn his loss," said Rensselaer County
Executive Kathy Jimino. "His death will be a consistent reminder of the sacrifices that our men and women
of our military are prepared to make as they fight to preserve freedom for ourselves and people around the
globe. Rensselaer County and the Town of Nassau have lost a true hero." According to Farley’s Facebook
page, he was a member of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, and a 2004 graduate of Columbia High
School.
Under Jimino’s orders, all flags at county government buildings will be flown at half staff today.
Town Supervisor David Fleming also ordered flags on municipal buildings to be lowered to half staff, and
requested town businesses and emergency services to follow suit to recognize Nassau’s "great loss."
"It is with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of a local hero, Derek Farley," Fleming said in a
statement. "My prayers and sincere condolences go out to the entire Farley family as they confront this
difficult time of loss."
Rensselaer County soldier's body arrives in U.S.
By DENNIS YUSKO Staff Writer
Published: 12:48 p.m., Wednesday, August 18, 2010
An Army carry team watches as Airman Devon Finley closes the doors of a transfer vehicle holding
transfer cases containing the remains of Staff Sgt. Derek J. Farley and Pvt. Charles M. High IV Thursday,
Aug. 19, 2010 at Dover Air Force Base, Del. AP
An Army carry team carries a transfer case containing the remains of Staff. Sgt. Derek J. Farley Thursday,
Aug. 19, 2010 at Dover Air Force Base, Del. According to the Department of Defense, Farley, 24, of
Nassau, died Aug. 17 in Bala Boluk, Farah, Afghanistan of wounds sustained when an improvised
explosive device detonated as he attempted to disarm it. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)
An Army carry team carries a transfer case containing the remains of Staff Sgt. Derek J. Farley Thursday,
Aug. 19, 2010 at Dover Air Force Base, Del. According to the Department of Defense, Farley, 24, of
Nassau died Aug. 17 in Bala Boluk, Farah, Afghanistan of wounds sustained when an improvised
explosive device detonated as he attempted to disarm it. (AP Photo/Steve Ruark)
NASSAU -- The body of Staff Sgt. Derek Farley's arrived Thursday morning at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware,
two days after he died trying to disarm a roadside bomb in Kafar, Afghanistan.
The Nassau native was the third soldier from the Capital Region to die in Afghanistan in the last two months.
Farley, who received a Purple Heart in Iraq after losing his hearing in one ear from a bomb explosion, died at 5 a.m.
Tuesday. Two of his relatives recalled the young soldier as a man of integrity.
"The world is much worse place now that he is not here anymore," said Sharon Farley Schiera of Malta, a cousin who
Farley considered an aunt. "He held himself to a higher standard."
Farley, 24, was promoted last year to staff sergeant while preparing for Afghanistan as an explosives ordnance disposal
technician with the 702nd Ordnance Co. in Grafenwoehr, Germany. All flags on county government buildings were
lowered to half-staff in Farley's memory.
"My thoughts and prayers are with the Farley family as they mourn his loss," Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen
Jimino said in a statement. "His death will be a consistent reminder of the sacrifices that our men and women of our
military are prepared to make as they fight to preserve freedom for ourselves and people around the globe. Rensselaer
County and the town of Nassau have lost a true hero."
Farley's death follows those of Army Pfc. David Taylor Miller, 19, of Saratoga Springs, and Army Spc. Benjamin D.
Osborn, 27, of Queensbury, who were both killed in mid-June in separate insurgent attacks in Afghanistan.
Farley’s remains greeted with honors at Dover Air Force Base
Published: Friday, August 20, 2010
BY KATIE NOWAK
THE RECORD
NASSAU — The body of Staff Sgt. Derek J. Farley made its way back to the U.S. Thursday morning,
greeted by an Army carry team at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
Farley, 24, a Nassau native, was killed Tuesday morning in Bala Boluk, Farah, Afghanistan, when the
roadside bomb he was attempted to disarm exploded.
He is the first soldier from Rensselaer County to be killed in the War on Terror since the U.S. invaded
Afghanistan in 2001, and the third from the Capital District to die in Afghanistan in the last two months.
Army Pfc. David Taylor Miller, 19, of Saratoga Springs, and Army Spc. Benjamin D. Osborn, 27, of
Queensbury, died in separate insurgent attacks in June.
Farley worked as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician, diffusing improvised explosive devices, in
the Army 702nd Division based out of Grafenwoehr, Germany. He was nearing the end of his second tour of
duty in Afghanistan, his family said, and was only two weeks from returning home.
The 2004 graduate of Columbia High School had previously received a Purple Heart medal for wounds
sustained while serving in Iraq.
County Executive Kathy Jimino and Town Supervisor David Fleming asked that flags at county and town
office buildings be lowered to half staff in Farley’s honor Wednesday, and on Thursday, Gov. David
Paterson ordered the same at state offices.
“On behalf of all citizens of the Empire State, I wish to extend our condolences to the family, friends and
fellow soldiers of Staff Sergeant Derek Farley,” Paterson said in a statement. “This brave New York native
died trying to save others. We will honor his sacrifice and we will not forget his service to our nation.”
Further information about funeral arrangements for Farley were not readily available, though broadcast
reports indicate a ceremony will be held in Germany sometime next week. No word yet on local services.
Staff Sgt. Derek J. Farley
Kenneth Farley said of his son, "He was someone who could see a situation and know he could
handle it. He could see his way through it. He loved to make things go bang."
17-year old Derek Farley was a young man who knew what he wanted, and what he wanted
was a military career and camaraderie with like-minded people.
"We saw that's what he wanted to do; we knew that," Kenneth Farley said, himself a Vietnam
War veteran. "He always made that clear, so we weren't really surprised. We respected his
wishes. We wanted him to be what he wanted to be."
Derek's mother, Carrie Farley, said, "Derek traveled all over the country. He saw a lot, he
experienced a lot. Derek called me one time [and] he was on the tarmac as Air Force One was
flying in. He was amazed at what was going on."
Derek Farley was promoted to staff sergeant last year while preparing to deploy to
Afghanistan as an explosives ordnance disposal technician with the 702nd Ordnance Co. out
of Grafenwoehr, Germany. SSgt. Farley received a Purple Heart after losing the hearing in one
ear from a bomb explosion while in Iraq. SSgt. Farley was assigned to the 18th Combat
Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment
Command Grafenwoehr, Germany. SSgt. Farley was nearing the end of his second tour of
duty in Afghanistan, and in two weeks he had planned to meet his girlfriend Maria in Germany
before flying home from this deployment.
Mrs. Farley remembers her son, "...said, 'Mom, I'm going over there, I'm doing a job, I'm
saving soldiers' lives so these boys can come home to their moms just like I'm going to come
home to you. He was very proud of that. He saved many [lives]."
Rensselaer County Executive Kathleen Jimino said, "My thoughts and prayers are with the
Farley family as they mourn his loss. His death will be a consistent reminder of the sacrifices
that our men and women of our military are prepared to make as they fight to preserve
freedom for ourselves and people around the globe. Rensselaer County and the town of
Nassau have lost a true hero."
Governor David Paterson said, "On behalf of all citizens of the Empire State, I wish to extend
our condolences to the family, friends and fellow soldiers of Staff Sergeant Derek Farley. This
brave New York native died trying to save others. We will honor his sacrifice and we will not
forget his service to our nation."
The flags on New York government buildings were ordered to half-staff in honor of Staff Sgt.
Farley.
An Army carry team gently carries a transfer case containing the remains of Staff Sgt. Derek
Farley on Thursday, August 19, 2010 at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. AP photo credit
Steve Ruark
The magnificent Patriot Guard Riders have SSgt. Farley on their Watch List, where messages
of love and support are being posted for the Farley family.
The Farleys will honor their son's wishes and spread his ashes on a demolition field. "My son
was brave enough to give his life to his country," Mrs. Farley said. "I need to be brave enough
and strong enough for him to honor him and his life."
"I think he would want people to remember him as a soldier who did his job and he did it the
best he could right to the end," Kenneth Farley said. "His belief was that he was there to save
other people's lives and even when he lost his own, I'm sure he probably thought, 'Well, I
may be going, but I'm keeping somebody else here.' I don't doubt for a minute he didn't have
a problem doing it."
Our hearts are with all who knew and loved Derek Farley. Please know that we stand beside
you at this terrible time of loss.
Updated 08/19/2010 09:20 AM
Soldier from Nassau killed in Afghanistan
By: Web Staff
The Capital Region is mourning the loss of another local soldier. Derek Farley, 24, was killed while serving
in Afghanistan. Our Solomon Syed joined us from Farley's hometown of Nassau with more.
NASSAU, N.Y. -- A community is in mourning following the death of a soldier from Nassau who was killed in
Afghanistan.
Army Staff Sgt. Derek Farley, 24, was a Nassau native and a 2004 graduate of Columbia High School. He
died Tuesday from wounds he sustained when an IED detonated as he attempted to disarm it.
According to a statement from the family, Farley was scheduled to return home in two weeks after
completing his second tour of duty. He had previously served in Iraq where he was awarded the Purple
Heart.
Farley served in the Army 702nd Division out of Germany as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technician.
Statements on the passing of Staff Sgt. Derek Farley
Nassau Supervisor David Fleming: "It is with great sadness that I have learned of the passing of a local
hero, Derek Farley of the Town of Nassau. My prayers and sincere condolences go out to the entire Farley
family as they confront this difficult time of loss. In honor of the memory of Staff Sgt. Farley, I have ordered
all flags on municipal buildings to be flown at half staff and have requested that all businesses and
emergency services within the town also participate in this recognition of this great loss."
Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino: "It is with profound sadness that I learn of the passing of Derek
Farley of Nassau. My thoughts and prayers are with the Farley family as they mourn his loss. His death will
be a consistent reminder of the sacrifices that our men and women of our military are prepared to make as
they fight to preserve freedom for ourselves and people around the globe. In his memory, I have ordered all
flags in county government buildings to be flown at half staff. Rensselaer County and the Town of Nassau
have lost a true hero."
Senator Roy McDonald: "With today's report on the passing of Staff Sgt. Derek J. Farley, we are reminded
yet again of the painful sacrifices that the men and women of our armed forces continue to make on a daily
basis. As a recipient of the Purple Heart medal for previous acts of courage, Staff Sgt Farley helped set the
standard for his fellow soldiers in courage and bravery. To his family and friends, words cannot express my
sincerest condolences as you grieve this loss. May the memory of his selfless acts, concern for his fellow
soldiers and love of country help to ease the burden that we shall all carry in the days to come."
Nassau soldier was nearing end of second tour
Published: Thursday, August 19, 2010
BY KATIE NOWAK
THE RECORD
NASSAU — A soldier from Nassau died Tuesday morning, becoming the first soldier from Rensselaer
County to be killed overseas since the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in 2001.
Staff Sgt. Derek J. Farley, 24, died in Bala Boluk, Farah, Afghanistan after an improvised explosive device
detonated while he attempted to disarm it, according to the Department of Defense.
Farley served as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician in the Army 702nd Division out of
Grafenwoehr, Germany.
He had previously received a Purple Heart medal for wounds sustained while serving in Iraq.
Farley, a 2004 graduate of Columbia High School, was near the end of his second tour of duty, but was killed
only two weeks before he was scheduled to return home, his family said in a statement.
Flags at county office buildings were flown at half staff in Farley’s honor Wednesday, as were those at
Nassau municipal buildings, while local officials tried to make sense of the tragedy.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the Farley family as they mourn his loss,” said Rensselaer County
Executive Kathy Jimino. “His death will be a consistent reminder of the sacrifices that our men and women
of our military are prepared to make as they fight to preserve freedom for ourselves and people around the
globe. Rensselaer County and the town of Nassau have lost a true hero.”
Town Supervisor David Fleming called Farley’s death a “great loss,” adding that the soldier was “a local
hero.”
“We are reminded yet again of the painful sacrifices that the men and women of our armed forces continue to
make on a daily basis,” said Sen. Roy McDonald, R-43.
As a recipient of the Purple Heart who continued to put himself in harm’s way, “Staff Sgt. Farley helped set
the standard for his fellow soldiers in courage and bravery,” McDonald said. “May the memory of his
selfless acts, concern for his fellow soldiers and love of country help to ease the burden that we shall all carry
in the days to come.”
Lisa Rossello, who lives near the Farley family on Pittsfield Avenue, said she didn’t know Derek Farley
personally, but her children go to school with his younger brother. Her heart went out to the family.
“It’s so sad to lose a soldier, but it’s horrible when it’s a neighbor’s kid,” she said.
Aaron Carroll, one of Farley’s friends on the social networking site Facebook who served in the same EOD
unit until 2009, posted a tribute to his fallen comrade.
“RIP Derek Farley,” Carroll wrote on his page. “You were a great EOD Tech, an outstanding soldier, and a
close brother. I’m thankful for all the great memories (that) I will always cherish. This world won't be the
same without you man.”
Katie Nowak can be reached at 270-1287, by e-mail at knowak@troyrecord.com or
on Twitter @knowak_record.