ALDEN, N.Y. (AP) -- A soldier killed in Afghanistan shied away from attention so much that even his family didn't know till after he died that he'd been awarded a Bronze Star for saving someone during a firefight this year, his sister told mourners who overflowed a western New York church for his funeral Monday.
As the nation observed Veterans Day, Sgt. Brett Gornewicz, 27, was described as a soldier proud to serve his country after being deeply affected by the Sept. 11 attacks.
Gornewicz, a U.S. Army reservist, was killed in a roadside bomb attack along with fellow upstate New York combat engineers Staff Sgt. Dain Venne, 29, of Port Henry and 22-year-old Spc. Ryan Jayne of Campbell while conducting route-clearing duties in Paktiya province on Nov. 3.
Gornewicz was "a selfless person who always put others' needs in front of his," his sister, Cassandra Cranston, said inside rural St. John's Roman Catholic Church in Alden, east of Buffalo. She said he spoke little about the work he was doing in Afghanistan.
Mourners filled the pews, stood along the walls and spilled out onto the front steps.
The reservist's godmother said the death was particularly difficult because Gornewicz, who had served in Iraq from 2007 to 2008, was expected to return home in two months. But she said saying goodbye on Veterans Day was special.
"The family is very blessed," Linda Jagusiak said, "to feel we have a veteran amongst us in our family."
Gornewicz, Venne and Jayne were assigned to the 444th Engineer Company, headquartered in Oswego.
Venne's funeral is Tuesday in Port Henry. Jayne's funeral will be Wednesday at his alma mater, Corning East High School.
The body of one of three New Yorkers killed in an attack in Afghanistan is scheduled to arrive in his upstate hometown while the funeral of a second victim is being held in the Hudson Valley.
The body of one of three New Yorkers killed in an attack in Afghanistan has arrived in his upstate hometown as the funeral of a second victim was being held in the Hudson Valley.
Monday, June 17 2013 12:03 PM EDT2013-06-17 16:03:27 GMT
Authorities say they still haven't determined what caused six U.S. border agents to require decontamination and medical attention after inspecting a vehicle at a crossing in northern New York.
Authorities say they still haven't determined what caused six U.S. border agents to require decontamination and medical attention after inspecting a vehicle at a crossing in northern New York.
Sunday, June 16 2013 5:39 PM EDT2013-06-16 21:39:47 GMT
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is asking New York colleges and universities to place tougher standards that would make it hard for students to abuse stimulants like Adderall. Schumer during a Sunday afternoon press conference said between 15 and 35 percent of college students frequently use Adderall to stay up to study. He said students shouldn’t be able to get amphetamine-based drugs like Adderall without a legitimate diagnosis and prescription.
Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is asking New York colleges and universities to place tougher standards that would make it hard for students to abuse stimulants like Adderall. Schumer during a Sunday afternoon press conference said between 15 and 35 percent of college students frequently use Adderall to stay up to study. He said students shouldn’t be able to get amphetamine-based drugs like Adderall without a legitimate diagnosis and prescription.
Saturday, June 15 2013 7:36 PM EDT2013-06-15 23:36:20 GMT
Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo was honored with a portrait that was unveiled inside the Hall of Governors in the state capital in Albany on Saturday. Current governor and son Andrew Cuomo was there as well. "A year ago we presented Governor Mario Cuomo with his official gubernatorial portrait.
Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo was honored with a portrait that was unveiled inside the Hall of Governors in the state capital in Albany on Saturday. Current governor and son Andrew Cuomo was there as well. "A year ago we presented Governor Mario Cuomo with his official gubernatorial portrait.
Friday, June 14 2013 8:24 AM EDT2013-06-14 12:24:26 GMT
A high-profile New York Air National Guard airlift wing has promoted sexual abusers instead of punishing them, according to the retired officer who handled claims of sexual assault in the unit.
A high-profile New York Air National Guard airlift wing has promoted sexual abusers instead of punishing them, according to the retired officer who handled claims of sexual assault in the unit.
Women may be able to start training as Army Rangers by mid-2015 and as Navy SEALs a year later under plans set to be announced by the Pentagon.
Women may be able to start training as Army Rangers by mid-2015 and as Navy SEALs a year later under plans set to be announced by the Pentagon that would slowly bring women into thousands of combat jobs, including those in...
The body of one of three New Yorkers killed in an attack in Afghanistan is scheduled to arrive in his upstate hometown while the funeral of a second victim is being held in the Hudson Valley.
The body of one of three New Yorkers killed in an attack in Afghanistan has arrived in his upstate hometown as the funeral of a second victim was being held in the Hudson Valley.
Friday, June 14 2013 12:14 PM EDT2013-06-14 16:14:18 GMT
The U.S. Defense Department has established was it is calling the world's first brain tissue repository in an effort to understand more about traumatic brain injuries(TBI) to members of the armed services.
The U.S. Defense Department has established was it is calling the world's first brain tissue repository in an effort to understand more about traumatic brain injuries(TBI) to members of the armed services.
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says commanders must remain part of the legal process in dealing with major offenses in the military such as sexual assault.
In a story June 12, The Associated Press reported erroneously that Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas was the only Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee who supported a measure to remove commanders from decision-making on...
The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan said it will likely be the fall before he is ready to recommend how many troops the U.S. and its allies should keep in Afghanistan after combat troops leave in 2014 and what...
The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan said it will likely be the fall before he is ready to recommend how many troops the U.S. and its allies should keep in Afghanistan after combat troops leave in 2014 and what exactly...
Wednesday, May 29 2013 5:08 PM EDT2013-05-29 21:08:24 GMT
DoD photo
The Army staff sergeant charged with slaughtering 16 villagers during one of the worst atrocities of the Afghanistan war has agreed to plead guilty in a deal to avoid the death penalty, his attorney said.
The Army soldier charged with slaughtering 16 villagers during one of the worst atrocities of the Afghanistan war has agreed to plead guilty in a deal to avoid the death penalty, his attorney said.
Friday, May 17 2013 4:17 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:17:46 GMT
A Humvee carrying six Navy SEALs and two other sailors overturned during a training exercise at Fort Knox in Kentucky, killing one of the SEALs and injuring the others, military officials said Friday.
A Humvee carrying six Navy SEALs and two other sailors overturned during a training exercise at Fort Knox in Kentucky, killing one of the SEALs and injuring the others, military officials said Friday.
Timely and adequate health care is needed to help U.S. military personnel and their families readjust to life after deployment, an Institute of Medicine report finds.
Timely and adequate health care is needed to help U.S. military personnel and their families readjust to life after deployment, an Institute of Medicine report finds.
Spc. Brett Gornewicz
