Pat Devoe is second Port Byron grad killed in Afghanistan
PORT BYRON --
Patrick Devoe's mother says she's proud of what her son did, but she never expected him to be killed in action in Afghanistan. Susan Capone fought back tears to talk about her 27-year-old son, who'd only been on the war front for three weeks when he was hit by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). She shared the couch in her Auburn apartment with 16-month-old Jazzibell, who was playing peekaboo with a picture of her father.
"He joined the Army for her, " she says. "He wanted to provide for her, and show her other places around the world." Capone says the Private intended to make a career of the military.
At Port Byron High School, where Devoe graduated in 2000, teachers were leafing through the yearbook, and saying that the candids of the fallen soldier showed his free spirit back then.John Mulcahey, his technology teacher, remembers him as fun to be with, though not malicious. Phys Ed teacher Angie Hargreaves says she remembers his smile, and his crazy hair - poofy, or in braids.
There are veterans' memorials in the main entry of Port Byron's High School. It is expected that Devoe's name will be added, as will Jerry Bell's, the Marine who was also killed in Afghanistan last September. Teachers are sobered by the fact that two graduates from the school have died in combat there.
Patrick's mother says the funeral plans are made, but the family must wait until Patrick's body comes home. Meanwhile, flags at Port Byron High School are already at half-staff, and the governor has ordered all flags on state office buildings to be lowered this Thursday, in remembrance of PFC Patrick Devoe.
