Community thanks, mourns fallen Guardsman
Schoolchildren lined the picturesque street in Winfield with American flags and signs welcoming home their fallen soldier, Army Staff Sgt. Kevin Grieco.
Police and Patriot Guard riders led the funeral procession to St. John the Baptist Church Thursday morning, a tribute befitting a man who relatives say loved his country more than life itself.
The Bartlett man and father of two young children was killed in a suicide bombing while serving in Baghlan, Afghanistan on Oct. 27 - three weeks before he due home for his first leave since his August deployment.
Grieco, 35, who'd served earlier with the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserves, was training Afghan police with the Illinois Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery out of Sycamore, Ill.
At Thursday's funeral Mass, Grieco's cousin, Joe Clement of Genoa, Ohio, said Christmas never truly began until Grieco pulled up in his loud Dodge Ram truck adorned with American flags waving and a lit wreath on the grille.
Clement said Grieco was a family man who regularly sent letters home, and laughed describing Grieco's penmanship: "It looked like he was on a boat with six-foot waves."
Clement recalled how shaken Grieco was by 9/11. The attacks reaffirmed his commitment to the military, and he eventually left the Navy Reserves for the National Guard because it could pave the way to officer school.
Shortly after, Grieco and Clement were at a bar and the Lee Greenwood song "God Bless the USA" started playing.
"We're all singing, and here's Kevin on a chair just singing at the top of his lungs," he said. "Everybody was so patriotic but not even close to what Kevin was."
Volunteerism was also integral to Grieco's life, especially putting his Eagle Scout background to use as an assistant scoutmaster. Scout leader Stan Smolucha of Winfield said Grieco was an instant hit with the troop and would lead long backpacking trips.
"They all wanted to be like Kevin. He was the way a man should be," said Smolucha.
Grieco's father Ralph, a retired Army colonel, said the family held candlelight vigils every night until Grieco's body came home. He read letters from his son's squad and platoon leaders, describing Grieco's heart and work ethic.
His wife Rashmi had a friend read a message to her husband. "We can see you watching over us," it said, "keeping us safe, sheltering us with your comforting thoughts, assuring strength, abundant joy and love for years to come."
Last to speak was Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, who said democracy is in peril and those who protect it should be honored.
"When we use the word hero, it's not to be bandied about in a careless manner," he said. "Kevin Grieco is a true American hero."
Other survivors include Grieco's children Joshua, 4, and Angeli, 2; mother Linda and sister Jennifer.