Salem Observer : Salem, Army

Salem soldier laid to rest

Salem Editor — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:27:00 GMT

Family and friends of Army Staff Sgt. Edmond L. Lo gathered to say goodbye before laying to rest the soldier described by those who knew him as a “true American hero.”

On Saturday, June 27, members of the community reached out to offer support to the family of the third Salem serviceman killed in Iraq since 2006. Residents waited at street corners and waved flags as the motorcade carrying Lo’s casket made its way to Pine Grove Cemetery in Salem.

Lo, 23, died on June 13 in Iraq after the bomb he was defusing detonated. A 2004 graduate of the Salem High School, Lo was serving with the U.S. Army’s 797th Ordnance Company, 79th Battalion, based at Fort Hood, Texas.

Homeowners stood in their driveways, some with hands and hats pressed over their hearts, as the procession passed.

Led through the center of town with local and state police escorts as well as Patriot Guard Riders, the motorcade passed through the parking lot of the high school where participants in Saturday’s Relay for Life lined the street. Both the Department of Public Works and the Fire Department turned out as well, waving flags from their vehicles parked along Geremonty Drive.

Retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Puzzo, an aerospace instructor at Salem High School, recalled Lo as a quiet and competent leader from his days in the Junior ROTC program at the June 27 ceremony celebrating the fallen soldier’s life.

“On that fateful day two weeks ago, a proud American gave his life for his country,” Puzzo said during his eulogy for Lo. “It was a selfless act of courage that will forever make him a hero, a legitimate hero. “On the drill floor he would dedicate himself to helping one cadet with commitment and selflessness. That was the Cadet Lo I remember, and I have no doubt that was Staff Sgt. Lo,” he added.

A 2004 graduate of the high school, Lo commanded the color guard, drill team and operations squadron during his time in the ROTC program. At the calling hours Friday, June 26, fellow cadets, past and present, remembered him as a strong leader willing to do anything to reach out and help someone else.

“I was very good friends with him ... There are so many memories, but I can’t seem to remember one. It’s overwhelming,” said Dan King, a Marine and a 2003 graduate of both Salem High School and the ROTC program.

“He wanted to serve and that’s what he did,” said Army Specialist Mike Connors on Friday at the Douglas and Johnson Funeral Home on Main Street. “He had scholarship options and he turned them down.

Connors, who graduated from Salem High School in 2005, remembered Lo as a strong leader and bright young man from their days together in the Junior Air Force ROTC program. A year younger than Lo, Connors described looking up to him as a leader and a friend.

“He was a big part of the program. He was always early. He would come by my house at 5:30 in the morning to pick me up for practice before school,” Connors said. “He always knew what to do and did it right.”

Members of the program’s color guard turned out to salute Lo during Saturday’s services, standing alongside the U.S. Army honor guard as his casket arrived.

U.S. Army Brigadier General Jeffrey Snow, Lo’s division commander, said he regretted not knowing Lo personally, but praised him as one of the very best of the men and women in the armed forces.

“Ed was doing something he wanted to do, something he believed in ... As tragic as this loss is, I gain some solace in knowing that Ed was doing something he loved around those who loved him. His sacrifice will not be forgotten,” Snow said. “He dedicated his life to our protection. The land that was once called the last, best hope for mankind was built upon sacrifices like his.”

Gov. John Lynch – who gave his sympathies to the family at Friday night’s service along with Sen. Judd Gregg – also spoke, describing Lo as an articulate and dependable young man. On Friday, Lynch directed flags to be flown at half-staff across the state in honor of Lo.

“News of Edmond’s sacrifice has hit this community very hard. Edmond Lo joins a list of heroes from this town,” Lynch said, telling the family that “Salem and New Hampshire are here for you.”

As mourners drifted away from Lo’s gravesite in the veteran’s section of the Pine Grove cemetery, his older brother Raymond said the community and the military had been very supportive of his family, especially his parents. He said the services, which included a 21- gun salute and a rendition of “Taps” by members of the high school band, had been very nice.

“I thought it was very well done,” he said. “I thought it was done very honorably.”

Plaque planned for Salem man killed in Iraq

Salem Editor — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:32:00 GMT

BY DERRICK PERKINS

With memorial services for Army Staff Sgt. Edmond L. Lo set for this weekend, Bob Castricone wants to make sure that his sacrifice is never forgotten.

Castricone, treasurer for the Salem Veterans Association, is working with members of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars to have a bronze plaque bearing Lo’s name and service placed at the intersection of Geremonty Drive and Main Street. Castricone hopes to have the plaque in place by Veterans Day, Nov. 11, in time to let local veterans honor him with a small ceremony.

“We’re going to dedicate Veterans Day this year in his memory,” Castricone said. “Once we get that plaque we’ll put on a little ceremony there. We’ll have a little prayer, a firing squad and play taps.”

Lo, 23, died in Iraq on June 13 after a roadside bomb he was disarming detonated. A 2004 graduate of Salem High School, Lo will join Marine Lance Cpl. Robert Moscillo and Cpl. Nicholas Arvanitis of the Army’s 82 Airborne Division as the third serviceman in the community immortalized by a plaque after dying in Iraq.

His will be the 28th plaque placed in town, memorializing the community’s war dead, according to Castricone. Castricone said the location for the bronze memorial was chosen due to its proximity to the Lo family home.

“What we tried to do is put the plaque as close to their home as possible,” Castricone said. “They were (in the past) just putting the names in town where they were visible. We put Nick Arvanitis’ plaque on Old Rockingham Road where he was living. The one we’re putting up now, it’s going to be put up on Geremonty Drive ... and that’s close to (Lo’s) home.”

The actual installation of the plaque and the maintenance of the location is handled by the Salem Department of Public Works. David Wholley, DPW operations manager, said the spot selected for Lo was also intended to keep the sacrifices of the current war in the public eye.

Retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Puzzo, an aerospace science instructor at the Salem High School who knew Lo from his days in the Air Force Junior ROTC program, said the efforts to memorialize the staff sergeant were indicative of the community’s strong support for veterans and military families.

Puzzo, who is serving as a liaison between the family and the school district, said both he and the Lo family had been inundated with phone calls offering support since the news of Lo’s death was released.

“I know almost everyone in his graduation class have already been in touch with the family ... A lot of cadets have been by the school,” Puzzo said. “I’ve seen a lot support coming my way and to the family as well. There is very strong support in the community.”

Calling hours for Lo will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 26, at the Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St., Salem. The funeral service is at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, at the Mary Queen of Peace Church in Salem, followed by burial in the Pine Grove Cemetery.

Lo was ‘fine young man’

Salem Editor — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:39:00 GMT

BY DERRICK PERKINS

Across town, flags have been lowered to half-staff as members of the community pay their respects to the family of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Edmond L. Lo.

Lo, 23, was killed in Iraq on June 13 after a roadside bomb he was trying to defuse detonated. He is remembered by those in the community who knew him as a hard-working, intelligent and driven young man.

His older brother Raymond said Lo was a dedicated student and committed to serving his nation.

“Nothing could stop him,” Raymond said. “He never missed a day at school or a day at work. He was just something else. That’s what makes it so much harder.”

According to Raymond, his brother had some good experiences in his years as a member of the high school’s Air Force Junior ROTC program. Despite his excellent academic record, Lo chose to enter the military after graduation rather than head off to college.

“My mom tried to convince him to go to school, but this is just what he wanted to do,” Raymond said. “If he could help, he’d make himself available.”

Superintendent Michael Delahanty was Lo’s principal for five years, following him from his days at Woodbury Middle School until his graduation from Salem High School in 2004. Delahanty said he had the opportunity through those years to watch Lo grow into a “fine young man.”

“He was one of those kids who was so bright and articulate,” Delahanty said. “With so many graduates, he certainly stood out.”

According to Delahanty, district administrators and educators are planning to sit down in the coming days and discuss how to properly remember Lo, the third service member from the community killed in Iraq in the past three years.

On May 1, 2006, Marine Lance Cpl. Robert Moscillo, 21, died in Al Anbar province, Iraq, when a landmine exploded underneath his Humvee.

On Oct. 6 of that same year, Cpl. Nicholas Arvanitis, 22, of the Army’s 82 Airborne Division was shot and killed while on patrol in Iraq. Plaques commemorating both men’s service to the nation have been placed around the community since their deaths.

Salem residents and town officials reached out to the Lo family, offering whatever help they could in the days ahead.

“Whatever assistance we can provide we offer,” said Capt. Shawn Patten of the Salem Police Department. “It hits home when a hometown boy or girl is killed. It’s a tragedy and we have the utmost respect for him ... We have to make sure we never forget.”

“All of our hearts will be heavy as we remember Sgt. Lo,” said Assistant Fire Chief Paul Parisi. “We’ll be thinking about his family and his sacrifice.”

State leaders also extended their sympathies to the Lo family. Gov. John Lynch said the family remained in his thoughts and prayers as well as those of his wife, Susan.

Sen. Judd Gregg praised Lo as a gifted student and an extraordinary young man.

“He chose to delay his plans to begin college in order to serve his country, which he did with honor, dignity and courage, saving countless lives by working to disarm roadside bombs in Iraq,” he said.

Congressman Paul Hodes said Lo’s family, friends and those in the community who knew him remained in his thoughts.

“I join all of New Hampshire in honoring the brave service Sgt. Lo gave to his country,” Hodes said in a statement.

Raymond said the outpouring of support from members of the community and telephone calls from state leaders had made the tragedy easier for both him and his family as they make arrangements for his brother’s funeral.

“Everyone has been really helpful in offering support and lending a hand out to my parents,” he said.

Bomb blast in Iraq kills Salem soldier

Salem Editor — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:34:00 GMT

BY DARRELL HALEN

A 23-year-old Army soldier from Salem was killed in Iraq on Saturday, June 13, when an improvised explosive device (IED) that his explosive ordnance disposal team was working to neutralize blew up.

Staff Sgt. Edmond L. Lo, who was assigned to the 797th Ordnance Company, 79th Ordnance Battalion at Fort Hood in Texas was a 2004 graduate of Salem High School where he was active in the Air Force Junior ROTC program. He was killed in Sammara City.

“Everybody who knew him in JROTC is devastated, understandably so,” said Marc Palermo, a friend and classmate of Lo’s who was also active in the program.

Lo joined the Army in 2004, according to Chief Tom Puzzo of the JROTC program at the school. As a cadet, Lo had been commander of the colorguard, participated in competition drill teams, and served as the operations squadron commander.

Puzzo described him as dedicated and hardworking, a leader who was infectious, not flashy. A quiet professional.

“He knew how to get the job done and others followed his lead,” said Puzzo, who taught Lo for two years. “He was a great kid all around. He was very popular. If you met him, you liked him.”

Lo is one of six children. He was three older sisters, an older brother, and a younger brother, Norman, who was a JROTC cadet.

Lo had the opportunity to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology but instead chose to join the military When Lo came home, he would visit Puzzo and stay for dinner.

“I think he was proud to be in the Army,” said Puzzo who saw him at Christmas.

According to published reports, Lo’s family was informed of his death on Saturday, June 13, and was escorted the next day to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware where they saw the transfer of the flag-draped case containing his remains by a military honor guard.

“Sgt. Lo served his nation with dignity, courage and honor and sacrificed protecting all of us,” New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch said in a written statement. “He is a hero to us all. On behalf of the citizens of New Hampshire, our deepest sympathies go out to the entire Lo family.”

Palermo, who has known Lo since third grade, described his friend as smart and driven and “one of the nicest, gentlest kids” he has known.

Lo liked video games, “goofing around,” and going to the movies. He enjoyed watching “Family Guy” and “The Simpsons” on television.

Both students were shy but through JROTC, Lo learned how to lead, grew, and some of his shyness wore off, Palermo said. He and the instructors help Palermo get motivated and into shape.

Palermo went on to Daniel Webster College in Nashua to study aviation management. He received letters from Lo when he went through basic training and saw him when he was on leave.

“He loved the (physical training), the work he did,” said Palermo. “You could truly see it in the way he talked. He truly loved what he did in the Army.”

Lo is the third Salem soldier to have died in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Marine Lance Cpl. Robert Moscillo, 21, was killed in May, 2006, when the Humvee he was riding in hit a land mine.

In October 2006, Army Cpl. Nicholas Arvanitis, 23, was killed by gunfire. The two men were members of Salem High School’s Class of 2003.