thedrifter
05-16-06, 03:51 AM
Attack tank tragedy
BY AUSTIN FENNER and DAVE GOLDINER
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Tuesday, May 16th, 2006
Two Marines from the New York area died when their attack tank flipped into a canal in the restive Iraqi Province of Anbar, relatives and the military said yesterday.
Lt. Michael LiCalzi, 24, of Garden City, L.I., and Cpl. Steve Vahaviolos, 21, of Airmont, Rockland County, drowned along with two other servicemen while on patrol Thursday, just six weeks after their unit was sent to Iraq.
"He was very focused on doing the right thing and doing things by the book," said grieving dad Gregory LiCalzi, 54. "He was exceptionally loyal and fiercely dedicated to his family, friends and the [Marines]."
The news of Vahaviolos' death stunned neighbor Vincent Williams, who went to school with the Marine from kindergarten through graduation at Suffern High School.
"He enjoyed being in the service, for the most part," said Williams, 21. "It's just a tough situation over there."
The military identified the other victims as Lance Cpl. Jason Burnett, 20, of St. Cloud, Fla., and Lance Cpl. David Grames Sanchez, 22, of Fort Wayne, Ind.
All four were assigned to the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force.
The heroes' tank unit was deployed to Iraq on March 25, and LiCalzi hadn't even had a chance to phone home when his family got the dreaded news of his death.
LiCalzi, who is survived by a twin, Gregory Jr., attended Chaminade High School and the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was an honor student.
The tall, handsome young man joined the Marine Corps because he loved the discipline of the force.
"He was a wonderful man," said Kathy Logan, a neighbor. "What can you say? He was our hero."
Purple ribbons and tiny American flags dotted the quiet street where LiCalzi grew up.
"Until now the war was something you'd read about in the newspaper," said Karen Ciccone. "Now it's literally across the street."
A wake will be held tomorrow and Thursday afternoon at Fairchild Sons Funeral Home in Garden City. His funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Garden City.
Funeral arrangements were still incomplete for Vahaviolos.
Ellie
BY AUSTIN FENNER and DAVE GOLDINER
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Tuesday, May 16th, 2006
Two Marines from the New York area died when their attack tank flipped into a canal in the restive Iraqi Province of Anbar, relatives and the military said yesterday.
Lt. Michael LiCalzi, 24, of Garden City, L.I., and Cpl. Steve Vahaviolos, 21, of Airmont, Rockland County, drowned along with two other servicemen while on patrol Thursday, just six weeks after their unit was sent to Iraq.
"He was very focused on doing the right thing and doing things by the book," said grieving dad Gregory LiCalzi, 54. "He was exceptionally loyal and fiercely dedicated to his family, friends and the [Marines]."
The news of Vahaviolos' death stunned neighbor Vincent Williams, who went to school with the Marine from kindergarten through graduation at Suffern High School.
"He enjoyed being in the service, for the most part," said Williams, 21. "It's just a tough situation over there."
The military identified the other victims as Lance Cpl. Jason Burnett, 20, of St. Cloud, Fla., and Lance Cpl. David Grames Sanchez, 22, of Fort Wayne, Ind.
All four were assigned to the 2nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force.
The heroes' tank unit was deployed to Iraq on March 25, and LiCalzi hadn't even had a chance to phone home when his family got the dreaded news of his death.
LiCalzi, who is survived by a twin, Gregory Jr., attended Chaminade High School and the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was an honor student.
The tall, handsome young man joined the Marine Corps because he loved the discipline of the force.
"He was a wonderful man," said Kathy Logan, a neighbor. "What can you say? He was our hero."
Purple ribbons and tiny American flags dotted the quiet street where LiCalzi grew up.
"Until now the war was something you'd read about in the newspaper," said Karen Ciccone. "Now it's literally across the street."
A wake will be held tomorrow and Thursday afternoon at Fairchild Sons Funeral Home in Garden City. His funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Garden City.
Funeral arrangements were still incomplete for Vahaviolos.
Ellie