Mourners line tarmac as remains of fallen Capital Region soldiers come home

By WNYT

State leaders honor fallen local soldiers

Gov. Kathy Hochul provided support to grieving families of fallen military soldiers whose remains returned to the Capital Region on Monday. Chief Warrant Officer Casey Frankoski and Chief Warrant Officer John Grassia III died in the crash on March 8 near the U.S.-Mexico border.

The heartbreak that family members of Casey Frankoski & John Grassia have been feeling could easily be seen at The Division of Military and Naval Affairs Headquarters in Latham. They both died in a helicopter crash on the U.S.-Mexico border earlier this month. Their remains were brought home on Monday.

The tarmac was lined with family, friends, military personnel, and dignitaries – including Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The New York Army National Guard Honor Guard that accompanied Frankoski and Grassia on their final journey home served as pallbearers, carrying the two flag draped coffins, one by one, to awaiting hearses.

The two hearses left the base, with police escort, followed by tour buses filled with grieving family and friends.

Casey Frankoski’s remains were taken to Lyons Funeral Home in Rensselaer, where viewing hours will be on Thursday, and the funeral on Friday.

John Grassia’s remains were taken to the Glenville Funeral Home.

Calling hours for Grassia will be on Monday, March 25 at St. John the Evangelist and St. Joseph’s Church in Schenectady.