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'An angel walking among us'

Family of soldier from Bay Shore killed in Iraq recalls his love for the Marines and hail him as their hero

BY JOSEPH STASZEWSKI | STAFF WRITER

November 6, 2005

Jacquelynn Soldano stood quietly in a hallway of an East Islip funeral home yesterday, holding and admiring a collage honoring her brother Jared Kremm.

The gift from her sister-in-law, Lisa Soldano, contained a large color newspaper photo of him dressed in his Marine uniform, an excerpt from one of his letters, and pins, including one of the Marine coat of arms and a Marine sword.

"Jared is always with me no matter what I have," said Jacquelynn Soldano, 31, of Jacksonville, N.C.

Kremm, 25, who grew up in Bay Shore and was a lance corporal in the 2nd Marine Division, became the 13th soldier from Long Island killed in Iraq, in an explosion on Oct. 27. It was during his second tour of duty there.

"He's not just a Marine," Jacquelynn Soldano said. "He's not just an American hero. He's been my hero since the day he was born and my kids' and my mom's."

Lisa Soldano added, "Not only was he an angel, now that he is dead, he was an angel walking among us."

After taking time to appreciate the gift from her sister-in-law, Jacquelynn Soldano rejoined her mother, Nancy Young Kremm, of Hauppauge, in front of her brother's closed coffin, draped in an American flag. It was surrounded by more than a dozen bouquets of flowers and additional American and Marine flags. Two Marines stood motionless at each side.

Dozens of family and friends were at the wake.

"It shows that it wasn't for nothing," said Kremm's uncle, Bill Young. "There are lot of people that support this, and this is what he wanted to do."

Kremm wanted to be a Marine all his life, according to his family, following in the footsteps of his late grandfather, Herbert Young, and his uncle, Donald Young, of Palm Coast, Fla.

The family said one of the most touching tributes to Jared was a ceremony at Hauppauge High School's football game Friday night, the school where Jared played. Each year, in honor of the Marine, the player with the greatest work ethic will wear Jared's No. 20 jersey.

"It's better than having it retired," said his grandfather, Rudolph Fabrizio, of Islip Terrace.

Even at a time when her family has received an outpouring of support, Jacquelynn Soldano's heart also lies with other heroes.

"Everyone is praying for my family; pray for the troops still over there," she said. "Don't forget them."