Town says goodbye to lost buddy

Published September 30, 2007
By Jim Carney
Beacon Journal staff writer

SUGAR CREEK TWP. - On a hillside near a lush, green cornfield with hundreds of relatives and friends watching, U.S. Army Cpl. Zachary A. ``Zach'' Grass was laid to rest Monday.

The death of the 22-year-old Fairless High School graduate in Iraq on June 16 in a roadside bombing left the Stark County community in mourning.

There were signs of the loss everywhere.

Small American flags were planted every 15 feet on miles of highways.

Signs in front of homes, businesses and churches, proclaimed their love for the fallen soldier.

On the outside fence at the Fairless High School football stadium, Brideweser Stadium, a sign was hung that read, ``Zach Grass -- American Hero.''

On a triangular chunk of grass at state Routes 62 and 93, about a mile south of the high school, hundreds of flags were planted in the dry ground Sunday and signs, like this one, were also on display: ``Son, Friend, Brother, Soldier, Hero.''

And on the road near the cemetery, Alex Hippert, 14, of Brewster, and Megan Hippert, 12, of Winesburg, held a sign that read: ``Land of the Free. Home of the Brave.''

Inside the high school gymnasium, in front of a Falcon sign and several athletic team banners and below a basketball hoop was the flag-draped casket of the young man who was promoted to specialist May 1 and to corporal upon his death.

Zach Grass played baseball and basketball in high school. His basketball coach, Matt Kramer brought the player's No. 24 basketball jersey to the funeral to give to his parents, Frank and Patti Grass.

``He was very willing to sacrifice his personal interests for the good of the team and the program,'' Kramer said.

``He was a kid who brought a lot to the program with his skill but brought more to the program as a person.... He died kind of doing the same things he was willing to do for our program. He was a sacrifice kid. In our day and age, kids who are willing to play a role and not be the superstar are in high demand and short supply and he was that kid.''

Cpl. Grass, he said, ``died sacrificing for the good of our country.''

During the funeral service where about 1,600 sat on the bleachers on either side of about 100 chairs in the center of the basketball court, Pastor Thomas W. Shank Jr. described Cpl. Grass as a soldier, son, friend, patriot of freedom and a hero to this country.

``His legacy will live on,'' he said.

In a eulogy, Staff Sgt. Steve Steiner asked the audience to do this when they see an American flag flying: ``Remember him.''

And Tom Tucker, who described himself as Cpl. Grass' best friend, said: ``Zach will always be with me.''

The 2003 Fairless grad was the second Stark County soldier killed this month in Iraq.

Last week, funeral services were held for Sgt. Cory M. Endlich, 23, of Massillon, who was killed by sniper fire June 9.

The week before that, Green resident Air Force Staff Sgt. Matthew J. Kuglics, 25, was buried after being killed in a roadside bombing June 5.

A procession of hundreds of cars drove the mile and a quarter route south of the high school to Welty Cemetery, led by several firetrucks and a few dozen Patriot Guard motorcyclists.

As people climbed out of their cars, they could hear the sounds of children swimming at Baylor Beach Park across the highway from the cemetery.

Vietnam veteran Richard Scott, whose house is across a small street from the grave of the soldier, allowed dozens of cars to park on his land for the burial service.

``I'm proud of the American people and the way they are treating the vets now,'' said the 58-year-old Scott, as he stood by his home and watched as the Army honor guard carried the casket from the Paquelet Funeral Home hearse to the waiting green tent.

``It's a shame,'' he said of the death of the young man in Iraq.

At the end of the service, after the soldier's family was presented with the American flag, Frank and Patti Grass clung to each other over their son's casket one last time.

Earlier in the afternoon, before the funeral service began, a young man stood outside the high school, smoking a cigarette with another friend.

``Were you Zach's buddy?'' the young man was asked by a reporter.

``Everybody was buddies with him,'' the young man said.