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July 3, 2007

Area soldier killed in Iraq

Jonathan Rossi loved adventure.

That love, and a desire to see the world and serve his country led him to the Army.

On Sunday, the 2005 Countryside High School graduate died when his unit was attacked by insurgents. He was 20 years old.

Rossi, whose unit was based at Fort Bliss in Texas, called Safety Harbor home and is being remembered as a soft-spoken man who hoped to join the CIA one day.

"He loved to travel, he wanted to travel and he figured 'I'm going to go travel, get my education, serve country,' said Rossi's father Michael. "He believed wholeheartedly in that."

The older Rossi said he last spoke with his son about a week ago and that his unit was scheduled to return home in January.

Private First Class Rossi's unit was called to Iraq in September of 2006.

On July 1st he was on patrol in Baghdad when his unit was attacked. The Fourth Brigade Combat Team was hit by an improvised explosive device and then by arms fire.

Rossi was wounded and later died. Rossi, who was planning on getting engaged next year, will be buried in Bushnell next to his mother, who died of cancer in 1997.

"He (Jonathan) wanted to join the Rangers from 17,'' Michael said. "He was very reserved, quiet. But he researched it for over a year. He knew what he wanted to do.''

Posted by admin at July 3, 2007 8:08 AM