Published: November 14, 2007 12:04 am      

TOWN OF TONAWANDA: Saying goodbye

Family and friends of Pfc. Dwane A. Covert Jr. gathered at Amigone Funeral Home Tuesday to say farewell to the fallen soldier.

Covert, 20, was killed Nov. 3 while cleaning the base in Al-Sahra, Iraq where he was stationed. He was serving in the 104th Transportation Company, 13th Corps Support Sustainment Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, based in Fort Benning, Ga. After picking up what appeared to be a caulking gun with dirt on it, Covert tried to knock the dirt off it when it exploded, according to his mother, Teresa.

The memorial began with the song “If You’re Reading This” by Tim McGraw, which is about a letter from a soldier who never made it home. The song bears striking similarities to Covert’s life, including following in his father’s footsteps of military service and leaving an unborn daughter behind.

The Rev. Robert Flemming led the service and began with a story about a boy stung by a bee, whose mother sat him down, gave him some toast with honey and explained that while bees can hurt, they also produce things that are helpful. That is also the way of the army, which sometimes causes pain in performing necessary service to our county, Flemming said.

Brig. Gen. Bill Phillips said that, while he didn’t know Dwane personally, the stories that he heard from Dwane’s friends, family and fellow soldiers painted a picture of an exceptional warrior and man.

“On the third of November, Dwane was doing what true soldiers do,” Phillips said. “He was protecting others.”

Phillips presented Covert’s family with the Good Conduct Medal and the Bronze Star in honor of his service.

Assemblyman Robin Schimminger, D-Kenmore, presented the family with the Conspicuous Service Cross on behalf of the New York State Legislature and Gov. Eliot Spitzer. Schimminger said Covert’s bravery was an example of the highest attainment of the human spirit.

“On Saturday, Nov. 3, New York state gained a new hero in the pantheon of heroes that have come from this state for so many generations,” Schimminger said.

Friends then read their own memories of Covert or had Flemming read them if they were too choked up to speak. In anecdotes that were often funny and sometimes poignant, the overwhelming theme was Covert’s sense of humor and his ability to make those around him feel at ease, even when things were tough.

Many remembered times when Covert and his friends would get into and out of trouble, but Flemming said that the man’s personal relationships and efforts to improve the lives of others shined through even when he was rambunctious. Entrance into heaven is based on how a man loves those around him, and that is where Dwane truly shined, Flemming said.

“Even when all of his friends would want to go out, Dwane would go over to be with his friend, Bruce, and play Xbox,” Flemming said. “Bruce had muscular dystrophy and, as his health was failing, it was still more important to Dwane to be by his friend’s side.”

After graduating from Kenmore East High School in 2005, Covert joined the military in order to provide for his wife, Jenette, son, Cameron, 1, and his unborn daughter, who he wanted to name Zoe.

As soldiers filed out of the room, they paused to salute the casket that would carry their fallen brother to his final resting place in Elmlawn Cemetery. Flemming said that people should think of Dwane and speak of him often to keep that memory alive.

“Next year, when you run into his family, mention Dwane,” Flemming said. “Jenette can handle that, because that’s how he goes on living.”

Contact reporter Daniel Pyeat 693-1000, ext. 158.