Carol Stream soldier killed in Iraq
Serving one's country was a proud tradition in Leonard J. "Lenny" Gulczynski's family.
"He carried on the tradition from my father and myself," said his father, Michael, who served in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany in the 1970s and 80s.
The 19-year-old private first class from Carol Stream, died Wednesday from injuries in Baghdad when his vehicle was in an accident.
Lenny Gulczynski graduated from Bartlett High School in June 2007 and entered the Army immediately thereafter, his father said. Based at Fort Lewis, Wash., he was assigned to the 610th Engineer Support Company, 14th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade.
"He looked so handsome," Lenny's mother, Jackie, said of her son in his Army uniform.
Michael's father also was an Army engineer.
The Gulczynskis learned Wednesday afternoon that their son had died.
"Two soldiers came walking up to our door at 2:30 yesterday. I knew exactly what it was," Michael said Thursday night.
Michael said that the Army explained to the family that Lenny, who was positioned on top of an Army Humvee in Baghdad, had a head-on collision with a civilian vehicle and was ejected.
"He never made it to the hospital," Michael said.
Michael described his son as "an outgoing kid with a great laugh and a great smile" who excelled at volleyball and loved to play football at Bartlett High School.
He leaves behind a 15-year-old sister and a 12-year old brother.
Gulczynski was a graduate of Spring Trail Elementary School in Carol Stream and Eastview Middle School in Bartlett before heading to Bartlett High.
The high school, Michael said, "has been really great to us so far, making the announcement to all the kids."
Bartlett Principal Kevin Skinkis Thursday night sent a message home to parents via the district's rapid response system. "I'm calling tonight with a heavy heart to let you know that today we learned that Lenny Gulczynski, a 2007 graduate, died in Iraq while serving his country."
The school also honored Lenny with a moment of silence Thursday morning.
It has placed a flower arrangement along with a photo of Lenny at the school's flagpole and is flying its flags at half staff.
Counselors will be available for grieving Bartlett students, Skinkis said.
"A lot of his friends from the high school that were here about a year ago to see him off came to spend time with us, to help us in our grief," Michael said. "We're so proud of him, and what he accomplished in his short life."
<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Video</h2> <ul class="video"> <li><a href="/multimedia/?category=9&type=video&item=242">Soldier's parents reflect on his life </a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>