Mile-long procession for fallen Carol Stream soldier
Jennifer Petrosky has written countless papers about her cousin, Leonard J. "Lenny" Gulczynski - everything from a first-grade writing assignment to a college entrance essay.
The pair grew up imitating superhero characters: Lenny always had to be Batman or some other lead role, and Jennifer usually was left to play the sidekick.
Then there were the get-togethers and innocent moments that became fodder for story after story.
"I guess all those papers gave me practice for this moment; To be honest with you, I didn't think I'd have to take advantage of it," Petrosky said Saturday before a packed congregation at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Carol Stream.
Hundreds of family members, local and state dignitaries, and members of the military came to pay their last respects to Army Pfc. Gulczynski. The 19-year-old soldier died in Baghdad on Sept. 17 after he was ejected from a Humvee that crashed into another vehicle.
Carol Stream police blocked off a section of Lies Road directly in front of the church sanctuary, and a column of American flags adorned the entrance, held by members of the Patriot Guard Riders, a group of motorcycle enthusiasts and veterans who attend military funerals.
The firstborn son of a close-knit family, Gulczynski graduated from Bartlett High School in June 2007 and entered the Army immediately thereafter. Based at Fort Lewis, Wash., he was assigned to the 610th Engineer Support Company, 14th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade.
The service reflected the family's proud military tradition, with Gulczynski's father, Michael, serving in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany during the 1970s and '80s. Michael's father was also an Army engineer.
"This was a young man who knew what he was doing," said the Rev. Robert Hoffenkamp, who led Saturday's funeral Mass. "He was carrying on a tradition."
More than 75 people gathered at Bartlett High School last weekend for a memorial service in honor of Gulczynski. A flower arrangement and photo of Gulczynski was placed at the school's flagpole.
The turnout was even greater Saturday. A roughly mile-long motorcade of more than 100 cars and dozens of motorcycles made its way to Assumption Cemetery in Wheaton.
"His life began to shout at us," Hoffenkamp said. "Lenny was born fighting and he died fighting."