Trista Moretti remembered

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. — Sgt. Trista L. Moretti, 27, was killed in in Nasir Lafitah, Iraq, Monday when her unit was attacked by insurgents, military officials announced today.

Red, white, and blue candles and American flags decorated the home of Moretti's parents today as the media gathered in the stifling heat, waiting for some word from from her family.

"Trista Moretti will always be remembered as a loving and generous daughter, sister, and friend," the family said in a statement. "She was a brave soldier who courageously served her country, sacrificing her life for the lives of others.

"She will be honored and cherished by all who knew her," the family statement said. "We would like to thank our family, friends, and community for their ongoing support during this difficult time. We would also like to extend our continuous support to all the troops serving overseas."

The windows of the gray stone-and-siding home remained closed by blinds this afternoon, as two red, white and blue balloons with silver stars floated in the hazy summer air in front of the house. An American flag hung from a second-floor window.

Bill Diddle, 58, a next-door neighbor, said he had known Moretti all her life.

"She was a wonderful person. What can I tell you .‚.‚.‚ a terrible thing, a horrible
thing."

It was "same as usual," Diddle, a limousine driver, said. "People go to fight this war and they die."

Natalie Zeno, a coach and teacher at South Plainfield High School, described Moretti as "always a hard-working kid, really determined and focused. I don't know the words to do her memory justice."

She said she hadn't seen Moretti, who was a track star and member of the field hockey team in high school, since before Moretti entered the military.

Zeno said she watched Moretti grow up and work hard. "You have to be a special kind of person to do that," she said of Moretti's military service.

"It's a huge loss to the community. She was always smiling, always laughing. We are better people for having known her."

Moretti was assigned to the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division in Fort Richardson, Alaska.

From the News Tribune

Related Link:
Trista L. Moretti dies 'when her unit was attacked by insurgents using indirect fire'