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Tom Corbett, Governor |
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HARRISBURG – A senior Pennsylvania Army National Guard officer has died at Brooke Army Medical Center, Texas, due to injuries received from an improvised explosive device attack in Khowst Province, Afghanistan. Lt. Col. Richard J. Berrettini, 52, Eldred, McKean County, died Jan. 11, nine days after the HMMWV he was a passenger in was attacked. He was serving a one-year tour and was scheduled to return home at the end of the month. A South Carolina National Guard Soldier and an interpreter were also killed in the incident. A Maryland National Guard Soldier was injured. Berrettini, a nurse practitioner, was assigned to the Pennsylvania Army National Guard Medical Detachment, Erie Clinic. He volunteered to serve in Afghanistan and was assigned to the South Carolina National Guard. “Lieutenant Colonel Berrettini was a committed and dedicated soldier who deeply cared for his fellow service members,” said Maj. Gen. Jessica L. Wright, state adjutant general. “We mourn the loss of Richard and our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this very trying time. He represented the best of our commonwealth and country and he made the ultimate sacrifice.” Berrettini is the second Pennsylvania National Guard officer lost in combat since the 9/11 attacks. Lt. Col. Michael McLaughlin, 44, of Mercer was killed Jan. 5, 2006, by a suicide bomber at an Iraqi police recruiting station in Ramadi, Iraq. Thirty Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. As a civilian, Berrettini was a Port Allegheny High School nurse. He was a former active duty sailor and joined the Pennsylvania National Guard in 1984. Berrettini is survived by his wife, Jane; mother, Doris; brother, Nello; and two sons Vincent, 26, and Christopher, 22. Vincent is a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and an Air Force pilot. Christopher is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy. He will be posthumously awarded the Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge. The viewing will be held at the Adonizo Funeral Home, 251 William St., Pittstown, Pa., on Wednesday, Jan. 16 from 7-9 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 17 from 1-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 237 William St., Pittstown, Friday, Jan. 18 at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at the Mount Olivet Cemetery, 612 Mount Olivet Rd., Carverton, Pa., following the funeral mass. COMBINED JOINT TASK FORCE PHOENIX VI PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE CAMP PHOENIX KABUL, AFGHANISTAN APO AE 09320 Phoenix Honors Fallen Comrade KABUL, Afghanistan— Fallen Warrior Lt. Col. Richard J. Berrettini was honored for his service and sacrifice in a memorial ceremony January 15 at Camp Phoenix, Kabul, Afghanistan. Lt. Col. Berrettini died Jan. 11 in San Antonio of wounds suffered on Jan. 2 in Khowst Province, Afghanistan, when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. “If I had one word to describe “Doc” Berrettini, the word would be ‘inspiring,’” said Chaplain (Capt.) Iris Dickerson. “He touched the lives of everyone he came in contact with.” 1st Lt. Nickolas Berger, preventive medicine officer at Camp Phoenix, remembered the day Lt. Col. Berrettini arrived at Camp Shelby (Miss., for mobilization training). “He was an instant hit with everyone,” said Berger. “His love for the soldiers and the passion he had for helping others was evident.” Lt. Col. Berrettini was exceptionally dedicated to the mission. “I watched him put his heart and soul into making the 1st Brigade, 203rd Afghan National Army Corps a better unit,” said Lt. Col. Michael Haerr, who worked alongside Lt. Col. Berrettini at Camp Clark. “He was proud to make Afghanistan a better place.” “His memory will be in our hearts,” said Chaplain Dickerson, “his walk, his talk, his laughter, his presence….his inspiration.” Link to Camp Phoenix Memorial Program for LTC Berrettini  Full size image available here.     The helmet, rifle, boots and dog tags on Patriot Square, Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan honor Lt. Col. Richard J. Berrettini, December 12, 1955 – January 11, 2008. He was a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard, was a medical services mentor in the 203th Corps, Afghan National Army. |
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