Chittenango (WSYR-TV) - Memorial Day hits a little closer to home this year in the Madison County Village of Chittenango. Last November, a native son was killed in Afghanistan.
25-year-old Sergeant Ed Bolen was honored this Memorial Day during a number of ceremonies held in Chittenango. He was a 2003 Chittenango High School graduate and an all-start football player.
"This is a day above all to remember and yet it is also a day to celebrate their lives. And what they paid for our freedom," said Air Force Veteran Fred Bailey.
Sgt. Bolen's unfortunate death came just two months after he was married and two weeks after being deployed.
"He died serving his country, doing what he figured he should do," said Air Force Veteran James Button.
Awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, Sgt. Bolen was laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery, among the countless other men and women who've served our country through the generations.
"Once you served you're part of a brotherhood that those bonds are never broken," said Katie Bombard, the daughter of a World War Two veteran and granddaughter of a World War One veteran said.
Calling hours held for fallen CNY soldier
November 19, 2010
Chittenango (WSYR-TV) - Family and friends continued the painful process of saying goodbye to a hometown hero in Chittenango Friday. Hundreds attended calling hours for Army Sgt. Ed Bolen at Chittenango High School Friday.
Sgt. Bolen was killed in Afghanistan just two weeks after his deployment and two months after his wedding. He was a 2003 graduate of Chittenango High School. Friday, he was remembered and honored.
"[He was] an amazing guy, nobody like him, sweetheart, a friend to everybody, you just felt welcome when you were in his presence," said Meaghan Kinsley, a friend of Sgt. Bolen's wife.
"You hear about different individuals who lose their lives, but til you really know someone this close I don't think people really understand the depth of it," said Pat Mosley, a friend of Sgt. Bolen's mother.
Flags on state government buildings were flown at half-staff in honor of Sgt. Bolen Friday. His funeral service is set for 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the High School.
Community grieves fallen soldier
November 18
Chittenango (WSYR-TV) - A fallen soldier was greeted with heavy hearts in his hometown on Thursday. The body of Army Sgt. Ed Bolen arrived at Hancock International Airport in Syracuse with full military honors before being transported to nearby Chittenango.
The 25 year old newlywed was killed in action just two weeks after his deployment to Afghanistan. A lengthy funeral procession including state and local police led the way along Route 5, before arriving in his hometown to a hero's welcome.
The event was the first of several opportunities people will have to pay their final respects to Sgt. Bolen.
The event was particularly sad for the soldier's father, Walter Bolen. But he says the support he's had from this tight knit community has helped turn tears of sorrow into tears of pride. "It was overwhelming," he said. "On behalf of the family I'd like to say sincere thanks."
Hundreds of people turned out on a chilly gray day in which the weather matched the mood. Still, people arrived to support a family that lost, by all accounts, a loved one who was an exceptional person, a high school football star, and a hometown hero. Many who attended the procession carried signs of support.
That support helped lift Bolen's family, which is still reeling over his death.
Fallen soldier returns home
Nov. 18
Chittenango (WSYR-TV) - The body of a fallen soldier and Chittenango native returned to his hometown Thursday morning.
Army Sgt. Ed Bolen was killed in Afghanistan last week. A military transfer ceremony was held at the National Guard base at Syracuse's Hancock International Airport around 10 a.m., and then a military procession carried Bolden's remains to Chittenango.
The Chittenango community came together to honor the fallen soldier who graduated in 2003. Many of his friends and family members are still in the Madison County community, including his wife, who he married in September.
The 25-year-old Bolen died just two weeks after being deployed. He spent Halloween in Chittenango with his new wife and then left. A friend's mother says Bolen's job was to look for landmines and explosives ahead of other soldiers to keep them safe. According to people in the community, he was an all-star football player and considered "everybody's best friend."
His high school football coach recalled some of the qualities that made Bolen special.
"He worked hard; he had a lot of enthusiasm. He brought that to the team. His leadership qualities, kids respected him. Just a real hard worker and fun to be around, too," said his high school football coach, Bill Cretaro.
"It's hard too, because you can tell the kids are grieving and for most of them it's their first real loss of a loved one and it's really difficult for them. So a lot of my emotion is sadness for their sadness," said Paula Garlock, whose son was Bolen's friend.
Governor David Paterson ordered all flags be flown at half staff tomorrow to honor Bolen.
Calling hours will be held Friday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Chittenango High School.
The high school will also host Bolen's funeral on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Chittenango.
Flags to be flown at half-staff for fallen soldier from Chittenango
Nov. 16
Chittenango (WSYR-TV) - Governor David Paterson has ordered that all flags on state government buildings be flown at half-staff on Friday in honor of army sergeant Edward Bolen. Bolen, a Chittenango high school graduate, died in Afghanistan last week.
Last week, Bolen was remembered on Veterans Day after his body arrived at Dover Air Force Base. The 25-year-old had just started his tour of duty in Afghanistan two weeks ago. On Thursday at Syracuse's Hancock International Airport, a military funeral will be held at a time to be announced.
Calling hours will be held Friday at Chittenango High School from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The funeral will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Chittenango High School gymnasium. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Chittenango.
Body of Chittenango man killed in combat returns to CNY
November 12
Chittenango (WSYR-TV) - The community of Chittenango is mourning the loss of a young man who died while fighting in Afghanistan. The body of Ed Bolen arrived at Dover Air Force Base early Friday morning.
Bolen had just been married in September. He spent Halloween in the US and then shipped out to Afghanistan. He was there only two weeks before he was killed. Paula Garlock, one of Bolen's best friends' mothers, said Bolen's job was to look for landmines and explosives ahead of other soldiers to keep them safe.
Bolen graduated from Chittenango High School is 2003, where his motivation and dedication were apparent as a student and a star football player.
The Zimmer Ayers Funeral Home in Chittenango is handling the funeral services, which are expected to include full military honors. A date for the funeral has not been set.
The military is not releasing any further details surrounding how Bolen died.
