Fallen soldier mourned (Justin Dreese)

SHAMOKIN DAM - Family and friends attending Pfc. Justin Dreese’s funeral Wednesday remembered the fallen soldier as an heroic, brave and proud soldier and faithful Christian.

The 21-year-old Freeburg man died Sept. 2 from injuries suffered in a mortar attack while serving in Iraq as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division.

Click here see to a list of all the articles printed in The Daily Item about the deaths of military personnel from the Central Susquehanna Valley.

About 400 mourners packed Brookside Ministries in Shamokin Dam where the 90-minute funeral was officiated by Pastor Jerry Helman and Chaplain Captain Brandon Moore.

There were so many attendees that two separate rooms were set up with chairs and a live video feed of the sanctuary so grieving friends could listen to the ceremony.

“I’m so proud to honor a good soldier, a brave paratrooper,” Pastor Helman said at the altar in front of Pfc. Dreese’s flag-draped coffin flanked by dozens of flower arrangements and photos. “He is our hero, my hero.”

The two clergyman stood together and read aloud several letters from family and friends who expressed their love of Pfc. Dreese and the pain they feel at his loss.

Muffled sobs filled one of the small side rooms where 55 people gathered to watch the funeral on a wide-screen television as people reminisced about a young life lost at war.

One mourner read a statement from Chaplain Doug Knapp who served with Pfc. Dreese in Iraq and was with him when he died.

“He fought very hard, his injuries were just too severe,” the chaplain said.

Read the rest at the Daily Item

Justin Dreese's grandmother Carol and father Wesley

Family shares memories of Justin Dreese

Even while mourning the young paratrooper, who was killed Saturday in Iraq, members of his family couldn't help but laugh as they reminisced.

Family members gathered Thursday at the home of his paternal grandparents, Carol and Luther Dreese, of Hummels Wharf, to look back at the life of the 21-year-old.

"He was the joy of our lives. I used to kid him, 'You're the best grandson I ever had,'" she said, smiling as she remembered. "And he'd say, 'I'm the only grandson you have.'"

Pfc. Dreese was one of two men killed in a mortar attack Sept. 2 in Yusifiyah, Iraq. He'd been in Iraq since July as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. According to the Pentagon, he was part of a group of men involved in a patrol that came under attack. He has been posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. A funeral with full military honors is planned for next week at Brookside Memorial Church, Shamokin Dam, said Carol, with burial planned at Orchard Hills Cemetery and Memorial Park.

News of his death reached the family Sunday.

"No grandmother, nobody, should ever have to go through this," said Carol.

Justin lived with his grandparents, whom he called Mimi and Pappy, for much of his life.

"I have so many memories," she said. "He was like my own son. I had so much fun taking him to T-ball, baseball, soccer and wrestling. Justin was the joy and bright spot in my life. When he was little, I'd tuck him in and he'd always say, 'I love you, Mimi.

Read the rest at the Daily Item

Related Link:
Snyder County Soldier Killed in Iraq (Justin W. Dreese)
Note: Due to problems with blogger we were unable to post news of the fallen for the last 10 days. This post is part of the update from that period.