Soldier's family travels to New York to bring home casket
by
Anthony Pura
Story Created:
Sep 1, 2010 at 4:28 PM CST
Story Updated:
Sep 1, 2010 at 4:57 PM CST
He was killed in action serving the country he loved. Wednesday, the parents of US soldier, Mark Noziska are in New York to accompany his casket home.
Noziska spent much of his life in Grand Island. Wednesday, his family who still lives there spoke with News Five's Anthony Pura.
"I think everybody is just, we don't want to believe it. Shocked," said Tracey Noziska.
The news came Tuesday. Tracey Noziska's brother, Mark Noziska was killed in Afghanistan. He was working checkpoint, when a car bomb detonated, killing Mark and another soldier.
It was a shock to Mark's family, it was just last month that the 24–year–old Army lieutenant was deployed,
"Just gave him a big hug and told him I loved him," said Tracey.
That would be the last time, Tracey would see him.
"Unfortunately, he didn't get to meet my younger son, Shea, but I want him to know who he was," Tracey said.
Mark's Grandfather said he was a very smart guy, over–achiever, and ever since Mark was a boy, he wanted to follow his footsteps and serve in the army.
"He was a wonderful guy. I was his idol because I was in the army, he wanted to be like his grandpa," said grandfather Antone Ususz.
His grandfather has no doubt, Mark died doing what he wanted to do.
"It was his job, I mean he would be the number one guy to check that car. Even tough he was a lieutenant, he had a lesser ranked guy with him but he was the number one guy up there and that's where he got the full blast," Ususz said.
Mark's parents and his older brother are flying to meet his body.
Wednesday, the rest of his family – are grieving together and remembering their time with Mark.
"His birthday is coming up. Maybe we will have a birthday party for him and celebrate his life," said Tracey.
At this point, the Army is still conducting a DNA test to confirm the body is Mark's. But at this point, the family is expecting the worst.
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