Jason Denfrund laid to rest

Jan 08, 2007 - A community came together Monday to do what many others - locally and nationally - have had to do since the war in Iraq began ... and that is to say good bye to a loved one.

Funeral services for 24 year old Army Sgt. Jason Denfrund were held in Illinois late last week ... But his Western New York hometown had a chance to honor him in their way.

With snowflakes and flags flying as the backdrop to the start of the special service ... Roberts Memorial Church in the Village of Cattaraugus came to be full for one reason - a salute to one young man. The Church's Pastor, Mike Jones, says: "We have gathered here this morning to honor the ultimate sacrifice of one of our Hometown Heroes ... Sgt. Jason C. Denfrund."

Sgt. Denfrund died on Christmas Day. He was killed in Iraq five months into his second tour of duty. But his death doesn't dim the light he seemed to reflect so brightly as a son, brother, husband, father and friend ... Described by longtime friend, Russ Parisi, as: "... the greatest friend a person could ever have ... "

Parisi painted a picture of his childhood pal ... much more clearly than the photos, shown in a slide show on the church walls, ever could. Parisi says: "As big and as strong as Jason was ... he also had a sensitive side ... we will always remember his giant bear hugs where our feet never touched the ground ... The tough side of Jason ... never wanted to admit he had such a soft side ... "

Sgt. Denfrund had a soft side for the song "Tiny Dancer" that played underneath the slide show ... and in a lighter moment Russ reveals: "In secrecy ... he also shared with us his emotional attachment to the movie "The Notebook" ... And he threatened us not to tell a soul .. sorry Jay ... secret's out."

What's no secret ... is how many people the young life lost - Sgt. Jason Denfrund - touched in his time on earth.

Though Sgt. Denfrund was buried in Illinois - where his wife and son are - in his hometown ... there is a place that's his ... a memorial stone set up across from Roberts Memorial Church on South Street in the Village of Cattaraugus.

From WKBW 7

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