Pfc. Jack T. Sweet

February 13, 2008

ALEXANDRIA BAY, N.Y.  —  Private First Class Jack T. Sweet, 19, of 46489 County Route 1, died Friday, Feb. 8,  from injuries sustained by a roadside bomb near Jawwalah, Iraq. 

Born June 27, 1988, in Houston, Texas, son of Glenn O. Sweet, he was educated at Alexandria Central School in Alexandria Bay.  He entered the Army in April 2007 and deployed with his unit to support Operation Iraqi Freedom in November 2007.  He was a member of the Jefferson County Young Marines. 

Pfc. Sweet was an infantryman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team.

His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Infantryman Badge. 

Surviving are his father, Glenn, and stepmother Penny Hawley, Alexandria Bay; his paternal grandparents, Jack and Margaret Sweet, Alexandria Bay; uncles, Guy Sweet, Clayton, and Greg Sweet, Theresa; aunts, Patsy Sweet, Alexandria Bay, Tracy Bartlett, Theresa, and Luanne Rowsam, Henderson; a stepbrother, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Hawley, Whitby Island, Wa.; and a half-sister, Kim Nagel, Conroe, Texas.  

Private Sweet’s casket is expected to arrive at 1 p.m. Thursday at Wheeler-Sack Airbase, Fort Drum. The procession is expected to arrive in Alexandria Bay around 2:00 pm via NYS Rte. 12 North. The public is encouraged to show their support by gathering along Route 12 near the village limits. 

Calling hours will be held 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Costello Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Alexandria Bay with the Reverend Helen Beck officiating. Burial will follow at Barnes Settlement Cemetery, town of Alexandria, with full military honors. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Jefferson County Young Marines, the Alexandria Bay United Methodist Church, or the Alexandria Bay American Legion Post 904, Alexandria Bay.

Information provided by: Costello Funeral Service and Newzjunky.com, Watertown, N.Y.