SPC JAMES T. SAKOFSKY
551st Military Police Company
716th Military Police Battalion

Age 24 - From North Brunswick, New Jersey
Killed in the line of duty on June 1, 2001 - Kosovo



"TFF PAYS TRIBUTE TO A GREAT SOLDIER"
Task Force Falcon - Falcon Flier
Story by SPC Travis Bascom
Camp Monteith PAO
(http://www.tffalcon.hqusareur.army.mil/sections/ge/pdf/15jun01.pdf)

An emotional Final Roll Call began for third squad, third platoon.
“Staff Sergeant Grilliot?”
“Here first sergeant!”
“Specialist Wallace?”
“Here first sergeant!”
“Private First Class Sowards?”
“Here first sergeant!”
“Specialist Sakofsky?…..
Specialist Sakofsky?…
Specialist James T.
Sakofsky?……”

“Specialist James T. Sakofsky is no
longer with us,” a strong voice proclaimed.

A solemn silence fell throughout the room as the realization filled every heart.

A memorial service was held June 4, at Camp Monteith for Sakofsky, age 24, 551st Military Police Company, 716th Military Police Battalion, who died June 1, after his military vehicle overturned in Kosovo.

The service opened with two beautiful songs; “The Dance,” by Garth Brooks and an old hymnal, “He Touched Me.” Cpt. John Lyburger, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 716th MP Bn sang both songs.

As the music filled the air and touched the hearts at the gathering, a video played in the background of his casket draped in the American flag.

The chorus “I could have missed the pain, but I’d of had to miss the dance,” brought memories of the good times soldiers had spent with Sakofsky.

Even before the invocation was offered, tears of sadness were flowing from fellow soldiers and friends.

Lt. Col. Brice Gyurisko and Cpt. John D. Tucker with the 551st MP Co., 716th MP Bn., gave command tributes.

Gyurisko spoke of the vast improvement in military etiquette, positive attitude and willingness to work by Sakofsky in the past months.

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God,” quoted Gyurisko.

“Specialist Sakofsky was both a peacekeeper and a peacemaker.” Gyurisko also reflected on the soldier’s primary mission in Kosovo, “to provide a safe and secure environment.”

Tucker spoke of the impact Sakofsky had on him. “He was always energetic. I was proud to be his company commander,” Tucker said. “You love to lead soldiers like that.”

Staff Sgt. Vern Grilliot and Spc. Trevor Wallace also with the 551st MP Co. gave memorial tributes. Both spoke about their respect and friendship for Sakofsky.

“He always kept his chin up,” said Grilliot. “His non-stop motivation and heart are something I’ve never seen before in any other soldier.”

Chaplain Cpt. Steven Cantrell, who comforted troops with words of faith and understanding, gave memorial meditation.

After the ceremony concluded, those close to Sakofsky, not wishing to leave, gathered together to hear words of encouragement from Col. Anthony Tata, Commander of Multinational Brigade West.

“Today is 90 percent grief — 100 percent mission,” Tata said. He also made sure the soldiers were aware of support organizations that are available for their help.

Brig. Gen. William C. David, commander of Task Force Falcon, who also attended the ceremony, said, “This is a very painful reminder how dangerous this place can be.”

His wife, Spc. Wendy Sakofsky, HHD, 716th MP Bn., was also a member of Task Force Falcon and was in Kosovo at the time of her husband’s death.

She returned to the United States for the funeral of her husband.

Sakofsky is survived by his wife and his parents, James and Carol Sakofsky of North Brunswick, New Jersey.



Garden honors fallen soldier and friend
Kosovo vet was one of the squad members

The Sentinel
(http://nbs.gmnews.com/News/2003/0828/Front_Page/002.html)



North Brunswick Brownie Troop 2043 hopes their garden will bloom to help fill the void in their friends’ lives.

A little more than two years after beloved resident and junior Rescue Squad member Spc. James T. Sakofsky died while on a peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, North Brunswick Brownie Troop 2043 and the members of the North Brunswick First Aid and Rescue Squad dedicated a memorial garden in his honor.

"The Brownies chose to erect this garden as the Rescue Squad’s daily reflection of their permanent memory of James," Linda Warhaftig, rescue squad member and Brownie Troop 2043 leader said. "He was my friend and my children knew him."

Warhaftig presided over the dedication ceremony held in the front of the Ridgewood Avenue Rescue Squad on Aug. 23.
 
"It is important, especially now more than ever, to support all of our soldiers so that they are never left behind or forgotten," Warhaftig said.

The garden, which surrounds a large monument dedicated to the memory of all of the squad’s deceased members, is comprised of brightly colored perennials.

Ron and Clinton Monuments of North Brunswick made a marker bearing Sakofsky’s name for the garden.

Sakofsky, 24, of the 551st Military Police Company, was killed June 1, 2001 when his vehicle crashed on patrol while assigned to the Kosovo Stabilization Force. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Sakofsky, a member of the North Brunswick Rescue Squad for over six years, served as an emergency medical technician.

"There will forever be a void in the hearts of the Rescue Squad members who had the pleasure of knowing James," Warhaftig said.

In honor of Sakofsky, the Township Council dedicated the intersection of Cranbury Cross Road and Linwood Place, where Sakofsky lived, as James T. Sakofsky Way earlier this year.

Warhaftig said the Brownie Troop, comprised of Kelsey Aloia, Morgan Comunale, Lauren Illes, Ashleyann Kaltschmid, Brianna Mussman, Dorie and Sammy Porwitch, Deanna Stoika and Lauren Wistreich, came up with the idea for the memorial garden more than two years ago.

"When Sept. 11 happened, every­thing was postponed," Warhaftig said. "They really worked hard to finish it in the last three months."

The troop received support from vari­ous individuals and local businesses, in­cluding Pinizzotto Construction Supply, the Livingston Park Nursery, Ron and Clinton Monuments, and the North Brunswick Rescue, Police and Fire de­partments among many others.



Return to Main Index