Community members showing their support
BALDWINSVILLE -- Funeral arrangements have been announced for a local Marine who was killed in Afghanistan last Thursday.
Thursday, the family and community will welcome Schneider's flag-draped casket at Hancock Airbase between noon and 1 PM. The family says the community is welcome to wait outside the gates of Hangar 113 to show support on the corner of Malden and Tuskegee Road. They can also join the procession to the Falardeau Funeral Home in Baldwinsville (read below for the route).
Calling hours for Corporal Kyle R. Schneider, 23, of Phoenix are scheduled for Friday from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. at C.W. Baker High School in Baldwinsville. Schneider was a 2006 graduate of Baker High.
A church service will then be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, located at 4947 State Route 31 in Clay.
Meanwhile, many people in the community are showing their support for Cpl. Schneider and his family, including at the Wrightway General Store, where employees put together a sign to honor the fallen Marine.
"As a citizen of this country, (we should) support someone who gave their life for us," said Mike Casale of the Wrightway General Store. "Certainly he is a hero, a national hero and it's the least that we can do."
"I'm just saddened to hear this, that anyone, especially someone local that we know from this area. It's just a sad situation," said Paul Wallace.
"Life was fun for Kyle," said Jeanne Dangle, Baldwinsville Superintendent. "When he left here, he was a kid and he was a great student and athlete. He just smiled all the time."
Schneider was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, NC. He was recently engaged to Theresa Dodge, who serves in the Air Force. He joined the Marine Corps in March 2008 and was in his first tour of duty in Afghanistan. He was scheduled to return home in August.
Governor Andrew Cuomo has directed flags to fly at half-staff on Thursday, July 7th in honor of Cpl. Schneider.
If you'd like to join the procession here is the route - 81 N to 481 N, exit 12, left on Route 31 to Oswego Street (Route 48 S) to Syracuse Street to Farlardeau Funeral Home on Downer Street. Family and police have asked that the high concentrated area with people lining the street be from anywhere on Route 31 into Baldwinsville to the Funeral Home.
