Lightner Memorial
By: Ben Manning
Updated: June 3, 2010
HOLLIDAYSBURG, BLAIR COUNTY - The military dedicates a building to a local man killed in Iraq.
Army Staff Sergeant Daniel Lightner was killed five years ago in Iraq. Lightner is a Hollidaysburg native. He served three years in the Army and was a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard when he died in Iraq.
Military officials dedicated a patriot missile facility near Chambersburg to him Wednesday afternoon. Brigadier General John Gronski served with Lightner in Iraq. He says saw first hand what a courageous warrior and outstanding leader Lightner was. Gronski and other officials named a patriot missile facility after lighter at the Letterkenney Army Depot. They also unveiled a monument in his name.
His sister says he took care of the family when he was home. And his best friend Tom Hatch says the ceremony was overwhelming, but fitting because Lightner was a cut above everyone he knew in his life. They all said Lightner would have been honored, but he would have thought it was too much.
Lightner was the first active Pennsylvania State Trooper to be killed while on military duty since World War II.
Army Staff Sergeant Daniel Lightner was killed five years ago in Iraq. Lightner is a Hollidaysburg native. He served three years in the Army and was a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard when he died in Iraq.
Military officials dedicated a patriot missile facility near Chambersburg to him Wednesday afternoon. Brigadier General John Gronski served with Lightner in Iraq. He says saw first hand what a courageous warrior and outstanding leader Lightner was. Gronski and other officials named a patriot missile facility after lighter at the Letterkenney Army Depot. They also unveiled a monument in his name.
His sister says he took care of the family when he was home. And his best friend Tom Hatch says the ceremony was overwhelming, but fitting because Lightner was a cut above everyone he knew in his life. They all said Lightner would have been honored, but he would have thought it was too much.
Lightner was the first active Pennsylvania State Trooper to be killed while on military duty since World War II.
