A Lake in the Hills soldier serving in Afghanistan died Sunday, the U.S. military reported Monday.
Spc. Lukasz D. Saczek, 23, was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry based in Woodstock. He died as a result of a non-combat-related injury that remains under investigation, said Maj. Brad Leighton, public affairs director of the Illinois National Guard.
Saczek had a 6-week-old child and was married to Kathryn Saczek, Leighton said. He also is survived by his mother and father, Ewa and Dariusz Saczek.
Saczek graduated from Steinmetz Academic Centre in Chicago in 2005 and enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard in July 2006.
It was his first deployment, and he served in Operation Enduring Freedom.
He was one of 55 soldiers who left Woodstock on Aug. 24 for two months of training before a yearlong deployment in Afghanistan. He died in the Nangarhar province, Leighton said.
"As we continue through this difficult deployment, each and every soldier is a vital family member to this National Guard force," said Maj. Gen. William Enyart, adjutant general of the Illinois National Guard. "Spc. Saczek, like all our soldiers, made the decision to volunteer to serve his country in a time of war and will be remembered."
The soldiers from Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry comprise one of about 30 units with the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The unit provides security for reconstruction teams that help the Afghan government build roads, hospitals, government buildings and other infrastructure.
Three soldiers from Saczek's unit recently were killed in Afghanistan on March 15 in a roadside bomb attack: Sgt. Robert Weinger, 24, of Round Lake Beach, Sgt. Christopher Abeyta, 23, of Midlothian, and Spc. Norman Cain III, 22, of Mount Morris.
Northwest Herald 05/11/2009
16 comments:
God Bless this family and this young child that will grow up knowing daddy is a HERO.
aam
another hero who died trying to protect Americans, so sad but we must be thankful that such men lived. God speed my friend, you will not be forgotton.
tami...amen!
sarge...they will never be forgotten!
again...they just seem way too young. But thank you for not letting us forget who we are all indebted to....
Another young man, and all that potential, lost. I pay for him and his family and especially for his little girl. I just hope the investigation does not come up with something nefarious.
alice...thank you for your words! We will not forget!
coffeypot...prayers for the family is needed. Each generation has known the loss of young men, with bright futures...so very sad!
AM,
Whether in combat or non-combat, this soldier died protecting his country. I pay tribute to him and am praying for his family and loved ones.
Blessings,
Mary
Even though that is so terribly sad, it still makes you proud to be an American doesn't it AM?? Just knowing of the sacrifice makes me so proud!!
God bless his grieving family. May God give them peace in the knowledge of his brave contribution to our freedom.
Steady On
Reggie Girl
God Bless his flamy with peace.
mary...I do agree with you 100%
rg...each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine deserves our thanks and constant prayer!
mike...amen!
I am also an Air Force Mom of two sons. One was an air force photographer for 4 years and is now a Recruiter here in PA. My youngest is currently in training with the SERE Special Ops. (Survival Trainer) I am thankful they are out of harms way and I'm so proud of them. I cry so easily just thinking about this young man's mother and family. But I'm sure they are so proud, as well.
nina...a huge thank you to both of your sons! and a special thank you to you as well for your service!
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