Army Pfc. Jack T. Sweet

Died February 8, 2008 Serving During Operation Iraqi Freedom

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19, of Alexandria Bay, N.Y.; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.; died Feb. 8 in Jawwalah, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

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Family remembers upstate NY soldier killed in Iraq bomb explosion

The Associated Press

ALEXANDRIA BAY, N.Y. — A 10th Mountain Division soldier from upstate New York was killed in Iraq when his vehicle was hit with a roadside bomb, according to the soldier’s family

Pfc. Jack Sweet, 19, of Alexandria Bay, was killed Feb. 8, said his father, Glenn Sweet.

Sweet was a Humvee driver with the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry. Glenn Sweet said his son had always wanted to join the military and planned for a career in the Army. When he was younger, Sweet was a member of the Jefferson County Young Marines.

“He loved what he was doing,” Sweet told The Watertown Daily Times.

Sweet went through basic training last April and was later stationed at Fort Drum. His unit was sent to Kirkuk province in September.

“He was so happy to finally get a chance to do his part,” Sweet said.

The younger Sweet was home for Christmas and spent the time visiting with family and friends, telling stories about his time in Iraq. Sweet said he liked hearing about what his son was doing and was proud of all of his accomplishments.

“He’s my hero,” Sweet said.

The younger Sweet attended Alexandria Central School and earned a general equivalency diploma.

Alexandria High School Principal Ronald Hochmuth said he had known Sweet since the seventh grade and that he was full of life.

“He always had a twinkle in his eye,” Hochmuth said.

The principal said the school held a moment of silence for Sweet and the flag was at half-staff Feb. 11. He said counselors were on hand to help students deal with the death. In addition, students were collecting stories and pictures of Sweet for a eulogy.

Sweet’s family said funeral arrangements would be made in the next few days.

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Soldier killed in Iraq loved hunting, fishing

The Associated Press

High school counselor Kevin Durr remembered Jack T. Sweet as a determined young man, inspired by his goal of joining the Army.

“He set himself back a little bit early in high school,” Durr said. “But, all of a sudden, he said, ‘I’m going to move forward and get on with the rest of life.’ That’s the kind of person he was.”

Sweet, 19, of Alexandria Bay, N.Y., was killed by a roadside bomb Feb. 8 near Jawwalah, Iraq. He earned a GED and was assigned to Fort Drum, N.Y.

“You can’t talk about Jack without smiling,” family friend Patricia S. Wagoner said.

Principal Ronald J. Hochmuth said he had known Sweet since the seventh grade and that he was full of life. “He always had a twinkle in his eye,” Mr. Hochmuth said.

He is survived by his father, Glenn O. Sweet; mother, Theresa Nester; and stepmother, Penny.

Sweet’s father described his son as a “good old country boy” who loved to hunt and fish. Father and son often hunted together. During his final trip home, Glenn Sweet arranged a duck-hunting trip as a special treat.

“He loved what he was doing,” the elder Sweet said.