FALLS AIR BASE: Soldier slain in Iraq to be honored

BY DAN PYE

January 11, 2009 12:04 am

— Soon incoming military recruits taking their oath at the Buffalo Military Entrance Processing Station at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station will do so in a ceremony room dedicated to a fallen Town of Tonawanda soldier.
Pfc. Dwane Covert, Jr. enlisted in the Army on Oct. 18, 2006 and was processed through the new Buffalo MEPS center before attending basic combat training at Fort Jackson, S. C. In March 2007, he was reassigned to the 104th Transportation Co., based at Fort Benning, Ga, which deployed to Iraq on July 8, 2007. While there, he died in a non-combat explosion on Nov. 3, 2007 in Al-Sahra, Iraq.
Covert is the first soldier processed through the facility to be killed in action, leaving behind wife, Jeanette, and children, Cameron, 3, and Zoe, 1. For that reason, the room where new recruits are sworn in will bear his name and a large portrait will hang on the wall as a tribute. The room will be dedicated at 1 p.m. Friday.
Capt. Michael Endres, the Buffalo MEPS executive officer, said Covert’s story vividly illustrates the meaning of sacrifice and is a fitting reminder to the 2,200 recruits sworn in annually at the site.
Capt. Laurissa Elliott, the facility’s operation officer, said those taking the oath will face Covert’s picture and make a connection with that message.
“New recruits coming in will have a chance to honor him and his family,” Elliott said.
Covert’s personal awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War On Terror Expeditionary Medal, the Global War On Terror Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Army Overseas Ribbon. He was posthumously awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross, which the Covert family was presented by Assemblyman Robin Schimminger, D-Kenmore, on behalf of the New York State Legislature and then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer.
Town of Tonawanda Supervisor Anthony Caruana, himself a military man, will speak at the ceremony, as will Pastor Patrick Fleming, who presided at Covert’s funeral.
Those wishing to attend the ceremony should call 501-9012, ext. 203 in advance for instructions on visitor procedures. Attendees should also arrive 30 minutes in advance to ensure everyone can get a visitor pass on time.
Contact reporter Daniel Pye
at 693-1000, ext. 158.