FWDbuff
08-10-2005, 02:58 PM
August 10, 2005 - Three local men, one from Philadelphia, one
from Montgomery County and one from Bucks County, are
among the four soldiers killed in the northern Iraqi city of Beiji
late Tuesday.
Insurgents attacked their patrol.
The "10 Task Force Liberty" soldiers were investigating
explosions in the area when a roadside bomb detonated
nearby. Then, the patrol came under small arms fire.
Insurgents fired on the convoy with rocket-propelled grenades.
The injured include 5 soldiers and one U.S. contractor.
Among the dead is Gennaro Pelligrini, a Philadelphia police
officer who was also a professional boxer.
One of the other local soldiers killed in the devastating attack
has been identified as Nathaniel Detample, of Morrisville, Bucks
county. Detample graduated from Pennsbury High School East
in May, 2004. He was a member of the wrestling team there.
Detample reportedly spoke with his parents by phone just a
few hours before he was killed.
Also killed was John Kulick, of Montgomery County. Kulick was
a firefighter in Whitpain Township. Kulick, who was in his 30s,
had just talked to his father the day before to let him know he
was OK.
(Copyright 2005 by WPVI-TV 6. All rights reserved.)
Johnny, or "Paco" as his friends liked to call him to annoy him,
started as a volunteer for the Hatboro Fire Company, in
Hatboro, Pa where he rose all the way to the rank of Assistant
Chief. He began his paid career as a Federal Firefighter at the
now-closed Naval Air Warfare Center, in Warminster Pa. Upon
closing, Johhny went to Naval Air Station Willow Grove. He then
moved on to the municipal side, becoming a career firefighter
for the Whitpain Township Fire Department, in Montgomery
County.
Johhny was a fantastic firefighter, always striving to be the best
and encouraging others to be as good as they could be. He
especially encouraged junior members, constantly busting their
stones to know the trucks and equipment locations. Johnny
always encouraged younger, newer members to take all the
classes they could- I remember when he would wake up on
Saturday mornings to give us (who didnt have cars) rides to
Bucks or Montgomery County Fire Academy for classes- and
then pick us up in the afternoon. He would also come get us for
drills if we lived too far from the firehouse, or even to just hang
out- as long as we did something for the good of the company-
wash a truck, paint some tools, etc BEFORE we went into the TV
room. I dont think there was anything more that he loved than being the officer of a first-in Truck Company on a good working fire.
Above all else, Johnny was a great friend.
I worked with Paco at the Naval Air Warfare Center, Bucks County, Pa Engine Company 69, in all reality, he actually got me my first job as a career firefighter! I also volunteered with him for a brief period of time at Hatboro, Pa. This is a HUGE LOSS.
Keep the saw warmed up, John.....I'll foot the 28 for you, then bring up the flathead and the hook.....I'LL MISS YOU BROTHER!
from Montgomery County and one from Bucks County, are
among the four soldiers killed in the northern Iraqi city of Beiji
late Tuesday.
Insurgents attacked their patrol.
The "10 Task Force Liberty" soldiers were investigating
explosions in the area when a roadside bomb detonated
nearby. Then, the patrol came under small arms fire.
Insurgents fired on the convoy with rocket-propelled grenades.
The injured include 5 soldiers and one U.S. contractor.
Among the dead is Gennaro Pelligrini, a Philadelphia police
officer who was also a professional boxer.
One of the other local soldiers killed in the devastating attack
has been identified as Nathaniel Detample, of Morrisville, Bucks
county. Detample graduated from Pennsbury High School East
in May, 2004. He was a member of the wrestling team there.
Detample reportedly spoke with his parents by phone just a
few hours before he was killed.
Also killed was John Kulick, of Montgomery County. Kulick was
a firefighter in Whitpain Township. Kulick, who was in his 30s,
had just talked to his father the day before to let him know he
was OK.
(Copyright 2005 by WPVI-TV 6. All rights reserved.)
Johnny, or "Paco" as his friends liked to call him to annoy him,
started as a volunteer for the Hatboro Fire Company, in
Hatboro, Pa where he rose all the way to the rank of Assistant
Chief. He began his paid career as a Federal Firefighter at the
now-closed Naval Air Warfare Center, in Warminster Pa. Upon
closing, Johhny went to Naval Air Station Willow Grove. He then
moved on to the municipal side, becoming a career firefighter
for the Whitpain Township Fire Department, in Montgomery
County.
Johhny was a fantastic firefighter, always striving to be the best
and encouraging others to be as good as they could be. He
especially encouraged junior members, constantly busting their
stones to know the trucks and equipment locations. Johnny
always encouraged younger, newer members to take all the
classes they could- I remember when he would wake up on
Saturday mornings to give us (who didnt have cars) rides to
Bucks or Montgomery County Fire Academy for classes- and
then pick us up in the afternoon. He would also come get us for
drills if we lived too far from the firehouse, or even to just hang
out- as long as we did something for the good of the company-
wash a truck, paint some tools, etc BEFORE we went into the TV
room. I dont think there was anything more that he loved than being the officer of a first-in Truck Company on a good working fire.
Above all else, Johnny was a great friend.
I worked with Paco at the Naval Air Warfare Center, Bucks County, Pa Engine Company 69, in all reality, he actually got me my first job as a career firefighter! I also volunteered with him for a brief period of time at Hatboro, Pa. This is a HUGE LOSS.
Keep the saw warmed up, John.....I'll foot the 28 for you, then bring up the flathead and the hook.....I'LL MISS YOU BROTHER!