He was a soldier, a son, a Pennsylvania native who died far from home. He was 1st Lt. Jeffrey F. DePrimo, 35, of Pittston, Pa. and on this Memorial Day weekend, we mourn his loss.
Please join me in remembering Jeff DePrimo's life and service and in offering condolences to all those who knew and loved him.
1st Lt. Jeffrey F. DePrimo, 35, of Pittston, Pa. and the 3rd Battalion, 103rd Armor Regiment, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, Williamsport, Pa.
"He cared about the unity of the men and his soldiers. He wanted to do the right thing." --Sgt. James Strasser
Jeff DePrimo wanted to serve.
"We couldn't take him away from going over and fighting for his country," said Dan Lane, sales manager at the Ford dealership in Exeter, Pa., where DePrimo worked as a detailer/reconditioning technician when he wasn't working as a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard. "Nothing could have stopped him. It's what he wanted in his heart."
Having been in Afghanistan since March, he was the security force platoon leader for a Provincial Reconstruction Team and was commanding the lead convoy vehicle as part of a mission to survey construction of a medical facility when the Humvee he was riding in hit a roadside bomb. On Wednesday, the Department of Defense announced that DePrimo died May 20 in Ghazni, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when the IED went off. Two others, a Navy lieutenant and an interpreter, were killed and two Pennsylvania National Guardsmen were injured in the blast.
"I know, deep in my heart, he died doing what he loved doing," Lt. Col. Stephen Zarnowksi said, choking back tears:
"Jeff was a tremendously energetic officer and leader who always reached for excellence and cared deeply about his soldiers," said Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright, state adjutant general. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends as our entire Pennsylvania National Guard family and the commonwealth mourn his loss."
Holy Redeemer High School's principal, Jim Redington, remembered his former Seton Catholic High School student as soon as he heard the name on the news, rather than on the honor roll, the National Honor Society list or the soccer team. "This is a quality young man who gave the ultimate in supporting and defending his country," Redington said. He also remembered the young man as a gifted guitar player; DePrimo often volunteered his playing for his church, according to his mother, and earned a degree in music at Marywood University in 1996.
In 2003, he joined the Guard, becoming a part of D company of the Scranton-based 109th Infantry and completed officer candidate school in 2005. At West Pittston Armory on Susquehanna Avenue in West Pittston, flags are at half-staff in his memory, says the Citizens Voice. That's where DePrimo's viewing will be held, only a day after members of his unit will march in the town's annual Memorial Day parade.
As Zarnowksi recalls:
"I told him before he left that he was probably going to be one of my company commanders when he got back and hopefully promote him to captain sometime very soon in the near future. I just thought that highly of his leadership, his abilities," Lt. Col. Zarnowski said.
His superiors admired him. His men looked up to him.
"They knew not to question. They would just follow him and not a blind following either, but a sense of faith in leadership and faith in knowing the right thing to do at the right time," Lt. Col. Zarnowksi said.
The community will mourn together amid the bunting:
West Pittston Mayor Bill Goldsworthy said the community will be ready to salute Lt. DePrimo. "For the job they do in volunteering for your safety, my safety, our country, how appropriate this weekend is Memorial weekend. It'll be just a little sadder."
Members of his family and of his community have been remembering DePrimo in the comments section of an article in the Times-Leader:
The hearts and thoughts of Wyoming Valley Motors and especially myself go out to the DePrimo family. Jeff was a wonderful man who loved his family and country. He will be deeply missed by everyone who's lives he touched. This was a man that everyone could learn from and be very proud of. -- George Haslin
I've known Jeff for about 4 years but our country hasn't seen many like him lately. He likens back to a time when the country has a need and citizens answer the call. He stood for and continues to stand for the basic principles that make this nation so great. I already miss Jeff dearly. I cannot imagine how his family feels. To Jeff's family: Please know that you are my family's thoughts and prayers. -- The Tomlinson Family
Jeff and I have been dear friends since we were 5 years old. Anyone that has ever met Jeff can honestly say he is the nicest and most genuine friend a person could ever have. I thank him for every minute that I had to be a part of his life. He will be deeply missed. -- Craig Hopple
I met Jeff when he was beginning his quest to become a military leader. I was always impressed by his drive to be the best he could be at everything he did. He worked harder, studied more, and drove himself to be the best he could be. The military lost a truly talented young officer and I lost a really good friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and his soldiers who are continuing the mission. -- 1LT Timothy Cushatt
The Times Leader comment board also includes this note from Chaplain Karen Meeker:
"As the sun rose over the Hindu Kush this morning, myself and Chaplain Pepper had the privilege to render honors and offer prayers during the Fallen Comrade Ceremony that was conducted for this Pennsylvania Patriot as he was loaded on the aircraft. May the LORD receive his soul and may the family, friends, and unit be comforted during their time of loss."
And from Lambert William T:
"I first met Lt D 5months ago at Fort Bragg. He was a hell of a leader. He had everyone's respect on this team. He and the other 2 men that lost there lives that day will be missed by everyone here. From the men still here in Afghanistan, our hearts and prays go out to the family, friends of LT. DePrimo. God be with ya'll in these trying times."
He will be posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge.
DePrimo's casket is on its way home. His funeral will be held on Tuesday at St. Mary Help of Christians Church in Pittston.
According to the Times-Leader, he is survived by his mother, Helen Ann DePrimo of Pittston, father Joseph DePrimo of Ransom, sisters Danielle DePrimo of Wilkes-Barre and Jodi Calabro of Exeter, as well as by an uncle, Matthew DePrimo of Harveys Lake, Pa.
DePrimo is the 31st Pennsylvania National Guardsman to die as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. To his brothers and sisters in arms, and especially those of the Pennsylvania National Guard, may you find comfort in the wake of losing one of your own.
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May the memories of all 4,081 of our fallen continue to shine brightly for all those they leave behind.
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What You Can Do
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About "I Got the News Today" (IGTNT)
I Got the News Today is a diary series intended to honor service members who have died as a result of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; its title is a reminder that almost every day a military family gets the terrible news about a loved one. Diaries about the fallen usually appear two days after their names are officially released, which allows time for the IGTNT team to find and tell their stories.
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