Army Specialist Andre Craig, Jr., whose life was cut short by an explosive device in Baghdad, was remembered Friday as a father, husband and an “inspiration.” His funeral sent ripples through the city and Dwight neighborhood, where many have family and friends serving abroad.
Craig, the first New Haven soldier to be killed in combat in the Iraq War, died on June 25, just after his 24th birthday. He had returned to Baghdad after a 13-day visit home, in which he met his only daughter, Taylor, for the first time. He had just married his wife, Shawntia Ventura Craig, before leaving for Iraq. (Click here and scroll down for his obituary).
The funeral Friday drew hundreds of Hill neighbors, military supporters, politicians and passersby to the Immanuel Baptist Church on Chapel Street in the Dwight neighborhood.
Janice Cash (pictured at right, with her husband, Clayton Cash) watched Craig, who went by the nickname “Dre,” grow up on Rosette Street in the Hill. “I always had my eye on him,” from when he first started playing basketball in the neighborhood to the time Craig shipped off to Iraq in March 2007 as a light infantryman.
“He was a hero. I always admired him,” said Cash. “While others were off doing their own thing” — selling drugs, or getting into trouble — “He was making a career for himself. He should be an inspiration to the others.”
Paying their respects at the service inside the church were Gov. Rell, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Alderman Yusuf I. Shah (president pro tempore of the Board of Aldermen, filling in as mayor for the week), and a handful of state and local politicians. The message, according to friend of the family Gloria Franklin, was “inspiration.” “He was a positive role model. He was the first hero for New Haven.”
John Scanlon (pictured at right) was one of 100 members of the Patriot Guard Riders, motorcycle enthusiasts who rode in from as far away as Maine and New Jersey to hold flags in front of the church for Craig’s funeral. Scanlon, a Vietnam vet, has attended every funeral in the state for fallen soldiers in Iraq. “It’s gut-wrenching — it’s a hard thing,” he said, to see so many pass away.
A total 3,589 Americans have died so far in the Iraq War, according to government figures.
Later, Scanlon would hop on his motorcycle and escort the family to the burial at the Connecticut Veterans Cemetery in Middletown. Craig was offered a place in the Arlington Cemetery, but his family chose to bury him closer to home.
Gov. Rell ordered Friday a day of mourning for the state, with flags at half-mast until sundown. “PFC Craig will always be remembered for having given his life to preserve freedom and offer the benefits of democracy to the world,” said the governor in a statement Friday. “His acts of courage reflected the highest standards of a hero.”
As the service went on inside the cement church at 1324 Chapel St., Dwight area neighbors stopped by to pay their respects. Angel Calderón (pictured), who lives nearby, leaned against a tree and watched the scene.
“I wish it would end already,” said Calder√ɬ≥n in Spanish of the war. “Look,” he said, pointing to the church. “Kids are dying here.”
Carmen Gal√ɬ°n stood in a nearby doorway with her grandson as mourners filed past the sidewalk. “Twenty-four is too young. Too young!” said Gal√ɬ°n, whose niece served a turn in Iraq. “I’m a grandmother and a mother — I feel like it happened to me, too. It’s terrible.”