Sergeant Jonathan Gollnitz remembered
As Veteran's Day approaches, many are taking time to remember fallen soldiers. YNN's Antoinette DelBel was with one family whose son was honored Friday after losing his life in Afghanistan.
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NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. — The Gollnitz family held their heads high Friday morning as taps played in remembrance of their son, Army Sergeant Jonathan Gollnitz.
"This is a very difficult time for them. It's still kind of a shock. It still hasn't set in," said SFC Jason Roberts, U.S. Army.
The 28-year-old Fredonia native was killed by a suicide bomber Sept. 26th while serving in Afghanistan.
Friday, military officials at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station performed a flag folding ceremony and memorialized the fallen hero, naming a room in his honor.
"It is certainly a tribute to our civilian society and to our way of life to pay tribute to those who have fallen," said Col. Nancy Bird, U.S. Army.
Gollnitz's name was also added to the base's dedication wall for both local men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The soldier served six years in the Navy before joining the Army, where he spent three years of his life.
And no matter what branch of the military, officials say they all support each other.
"Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines - it's a brotherhood. We're all military. We're all service members. We all serve in our own special way," Roberts said.
Gollnitz is survived by his wife and four-year-old son.