Fallen soldier mourned By Marcia Moore The Daily Item September 13, 2006 SHAMOKIN DAM - Family and friends attending Pfc. Justin Dreese’s funeral Wednesday remembered the fallen soldier as an heroic, brave and proud soldier and faithful Christian. The 21-year-old Freeburg man died Sept. 2 from injuries suffered in a mortar attack while serving in Iraq as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. Click here see to a list of all the articles printed in The Daily Item about the deaths of military personnel from the Central Susquehanna Valley. About 400 mourners packed Brookside Ministries in Shamokin Dam where the 90-minute funeral was officiated by Pastor Jerry Helman and Chaplain Captain Brandon Moore. There were so many attendees that two separate rooms were set up with chairs and a live video feed of the sanctuary so grieving friends could listen to the ceremony. “I’m so proud to honor a good soldier, a brave paratrooper,” Pastor Helman said at the altar in front of Pfc. Dreese’s flag-draped coffin flanked by dozens of flower arrangements and photos. “He is our hero, my hero.” The two clergyman stood together and read aloud several letters from family and friends who expressed their love of Pfc. Dreese and the pain they feel at his loss. Muffled sobs filled one of the small side rooms where 55 people gathered to watch the funeral on a wide-screen television as people reminisced about a young life lost at war. One mourner read a statement from Chaplain Doug Knapp who served with Pfc. Dreese in Iraq and was with him when he died. “He fought very hard, his injuries were just too severe,” the chaplain said. He added that Pfc. Dreese, known as “Drizzle,” was very well-liked and proud of being Pentecostal. Fellow soldier and friend Casey Ryan described Pfc. Dreese as “a man among men” and echoed another army colleague, Specialist Brian Moyer who remains in the Middle East, who said their fallen comrade was “unmatched in motivation and morale.” Lucy and Tom Evans spoke about Pfc. Dreese’s 6-year devotion to the church youth group. “He was a generous young man who gave to others in need,” Mrs. Evans said. “He was a positive role model who influenced others, an admiral leader.” A man so faithful in his relationship with God, she said, “It was no wonder he made such a wonderful soldier.”