just a bit more on jason lantieri

the courant published this lovely piece this morningi certainly wish they didn't HAVE to though (what i mean is i wish they didn't have a REASON to publish it)

One End To Soldier's Two Lives
By JESSE HAMILTON Courant Staff Writer
KILLINGWORTH - Jason Lantieri was 25, but he lived two lives.Troubled youth and successful student. Ward of the state and beloved son. Soldier and charming rogue. The man who grew up in Killingworth was always of two worlds.Now, he's in the granite garden of Evergreen Cemetery. And, for so many, he's a prized memory.
Sgt. Lantieri died last week after a trucking accident south of Baghdad. He was buried Thursday in the town that hosted his rebirth. The people of Killingworth came out, mixing with uniformed troops and veterans. The damp-eyed hundreds gave Lantieri the burial of a hero - a tragic and lofty day for a man whose childhood left him with so much to overcome.The native of Waterbury was 11 when the state took custody of him from his mother. He had a difficult start, a boyhood suspended in the state's foster care system. But the Miller family of Killingworth soon took him in. They would have adopted the boy known as "Jay," they said, but his mother was still alive then. So before Lantieri was grown, he knew what it was to live on two sides of a rift.......

the link to

jason lantieri's myspace page

the funeral arrangements for Jason Lantieri

Funeral Arrangements Set For Killingworth Soldier Killed In Iraq

A 25-year-old Killingworth soldier who was killed in Iraq will be laid to rest with full military honors Thursday
Jason Lantieri,, an Army sergeant, died in Iraq Tuesday after he was pinned between vehicles that were being moved, his family said last week.
Lantieri joined the Army two years ago and was due home in December, family members said.
Relatives will receive friends and mourners from 5-9 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 17, at the field house of the Haddam-Killingworth High School.
Services will be 2 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 18 at the high school, with burial to follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Killingworth with full Military Honors
Lantieri graduated from Haddam-Killingworth High School in 2000 and earned a business degree from Western New England College in Springfield, Mass.
He was serving with the Army's 25th Infantry Division in Baghad, state officials said................

a tiny bit more on sgt Jason Lantieri

(from what i posted yesterday)

later, i'll attempt to get a link to his myspace page and post it.

once again, my thoughts and prayers for his family and friends

Killingworth family talks about son killed in Iraq

By News Channel 8's Crystal HaynesPosted Oct. 11, 2007Updated 6:17 PM
Killingworth (WTNH)_ If a picture is worth a thousand words, then perhaps a YouTube video posted on Army Sergeant Jason Lantieri's MySpace page while he was serving in Iraq says it all.
"Just another day at the office," the caption reads.
His family says his decision to be there was natural for him.
"This was part of the adventurous side of Jason. Part of what he wanted to see, more of the world. He wanted opportunities that he thought this was his ticket to try new things but I know he counted on coming home," said Kathy Miller, Lantieri's Foster Mother.
So did his family. They tell News Channel 8, Lantieri was killed October 10 due to an accident while working on a transportation unit.
His family says he was supposed to come home this summer, but his tour was extended......

Flags At Half-Staff For Conn. Soldier Killed In Iraq

Gov. M. Jodi Rell has ordered flags to be placed at half-staff after a 25-year-old Killingworth soldier was killed in Iraq.

Jason Lantieri, an Army sergeant who grew up in Killingworth, died accidentally in Iraq Tuesday after he was pinned between vehicles that were being moved, his family said Thursday.

Lantieri joined the Army two years ago and was due home in December, said his mother, Kathleen Miller of Clinton. She said the military told her family Wednesday morning that her son died in an accident.
"We don't have all the details," Miller said in a phone interview. "Our family is devastated. He was a pretty special person, full of fun, full of life. He went into the service looking for an adventure."
Lantieri graduated from Haddam-Killingworth High School in 2000 and earned a business degree from Western New England College in Springfield, Mass...............

Killingworth Soldier Dies In Iraq

An Army paratrooper who grew up in Killingworth died in Iraq when he was accidentally pinned between two vehicles this week, his family said Thursday.Sgt. Jason Lantieri, 25, joined the Army two years ago and was due home in December for a break, said his mother, Kathleen Miller of Clinton. She said a military official came to her home Wednesday morning to tell her that her son died Tuesday in an accident."We don't have all the details," Miller said in a phone interview. "Our family is devastated. He was a pretty special person, full of fun, full of life. He went into the service looking for an adventure."

Military officials said that Lantieri was injured during late night vehicle maneuvers near Iskandaryah, which is about 30 miles south of Baghdad. The incident is under investigation.He was assigned to Echo Company, 725th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division based in Fort Richardson, Alaska.Lantieri was supposed to come home over the summer, but his unit's deployment was extended, Miller said.......

patriot guard riders

(images were from channel 30 site)

some horrid news

to the friends and family of Jason Lantieri my thoughts and prayers are with you.





Killingworth soldier killed in Iraq





by News Channel 8's Annie Rourke


Killingworth (WTNH) _ A 25-year old soldier from Killingworth is the latest Connecticut casualty of the Iraq War.
Jason Lantieri was killed early this morning in Baghdad, Iraq. The Department of Defense has not yet released the details of his deaths, but News Channel 8 has learned that he was on active duty and in the Army Airborne Division.
Lantieri graduated from Haddam-Killingworth High School in 2000. Killingworth Today reports he graduated from Western New England College in 2004..........



and
Governor Rell Orders Flags to Half Staff to Honor Fallen Soldier
The Hartford Courant
11:32 AM EDT, October 11, 2007
Governor M. Jodi Rell has ordered U.S. and state flags lowered to half staff in honor of Sgt. Jason Lantieri of Killingworth, who was killed October 9th in Iraq.The 25-year-old Lantieri, a soldier in the Army's 25th Infantry Division, died during operations in Baghdad."This is a tremendous loss, and I ask that we unite as a state to honor the sacrifice that Sgt. Lantieri has made on our behalf," Governor Rell said. "Our most sincere condolences go out to Sgt. Lantieri's family and friends. We can all continue to honor Sgt. Lantieri's service by keeping in our thoughts and prayers the men and women now risking their lives overseas to serve our nation."........
and
WNEC grad killed in Iraq
Posted by bdewberr October 11, 2007 11:18AM
By Bea O'Quinn Dewberrybdewberry@repub.com
A 25-year-old Western New England College graduate was listed among the latest casualties of the Iraq War, a college spokesman confirmed today.
Jason Lantieri, of Killingworth, Conn., a small town near Middletown, was killed early Wednesday morning in Baghdad, Iraq.
"I'm hearing he really was a good kid and one of those kids that does leave an impression," Stephen Roulier, a college spokesman, said, noting that many friends of Lantieri had contacted the college upon learning of his death.
Lantieri graduate from the college in 2004 with a degree in business management, Roulier said.
According to other media reports, the Department of Defense has not yet released the details of his death. He was on active duty and in the Army Airborne Division.
Lantieri is the 39th person with ties to Connecticut to die in Iraq or Afghanistan.