Community remembers Crucible soldier killed in Somalia
CARMICHAELS – Paul Shaffer had a candid conversation with his nephew, Richard Kowalewski Jr., about the sacrifices some of the country’s servicemen make as the young soldier was preparing for his first deployment with the U.S. Army.
Kowalewski was visiting his uncle’s Ohio home and told Shaffer he wanted to continue in his family’s legacy of military service. A veteran himself, Shaffer had a long discussion with Kowalewski about service and sacrifice.
“Unfortunately, we knew the possible consequences,” Shaffer said.
Kowalewski, who joined the Army two days after graduating from Carmichaels in 1992, died when his convoy was attacked during a search-and-rescue mission trying to save two helicopter pilots who crashed Oct. 3, 1993. The two-day operation that killed the 20-year-old Army Ranger left 18 servicemen dead and was later described in the novel and movie “Black Hawk Down.”
Shaffer and more than 60 other people gathered Friday outside Carmichaels Area Elementary School to remember Kowalewski and dedicate the Route 88 bridge over Muddy Creek in his honor.
Kowalewski’s mother, Pauline, died last year, but Shaffer looked up as the sun broke through the clouds and declared both of them were looking down on the ceremony.
“I hope everyone remembers him and this bridge,” Shaffer said before becoming overcome by emotions after speaking. “It means the world to us.”
Jim Journic, a childhood friend who joined the Army in August 1992, just a couple months after Kowalewski enlisted, opened up about how the soldier’s death affected him and the community. They spoke during the summer while Kowalewski was in boot camp and discussed politics, literature and life. He described Kowalewski having a “dry and sarcastic sense of humor with an awe shucks attitude” toward life.
“Back then, we were immortal,” Journic said. “It would always be the other guy.”
Journic gave his son, Hunter, the middle name of Richard to honor his friend, but his death still affects him each day.
“What I miss the most out of Rich’s passing is the future,” Journic said. “What would our friendship have been like had we known each other another 10 or 15 or 20 years? Would our kids have been friends?”
Journic, of Rices Landing, praised the bridge dedication, but also noted the country owes a debt of gratitude to fallen servicemen well beyond what any memorial can provide.
“It hits me every day,” Journic said. “I’m glad the community has done something to honor him. A bridge isn’t enough, but you can’t really have anything that would adequately honor our (fallen) veterans. It’d be a statue to the sky.”
State Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson, pushed for the bridge dedication after receiving a request from Kowalewski earlier this year. She said it was a long overdue honor for a local soldier who sacrificed everything for his country and his community.
“This young man gave his life – his young life – for his country. What we’re doing is so that everyone from his hometown and everyone not from this town knows who he is and about his sacrifice,” Snyder said.
“When you drive across this bridge, say a little prayer for Richard and all of our fallen veterans.”