Army Pfc. Shawn P. Falter

Remember Our Heroes

Army Pfc. Shawn P. Falter, 25, of Cortland, N.Y.

Pfc. Falter was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska; died Jan. 20 in Karbala, Iraq, from wounds sustained when his patrol was ambushed while conducting dismounted operations.

Pfc. Shawn P. Falter, 25, of Homer, N.Y., followed three of his older brothers into the Army — all are still on active duty but none currently in Iraq.

One of 13 brothers and sisters, Falter was remembered in his hometown as hardworking but easygoing.

"He knew how to lighten a moment just when you needed it," Homer High School Principal Fred Farah said last week.

On Tuesday, Staff Sgt. Raymond Swift, a military casualty assistance officer, released a statement.

"We are extremely proud of Shawn's service and sacrifice to our country," his family said.

News10 -- Shawn Patrick Falter, a son, a brother, a high school athlete, and, now, a fallen soldier -- Cortland County's first in the Iraq War.

"He was just one of the nicest nicest kids you'll ever want to meet in your life," said Village of Homer Mayor Mike McDermott.

The member of Homer High's Class of '99, Private Falter, 25, was ambushed in the
City of Karbala on Saturday and killed, along with four of his American comrades.

Everyone seemed to love Falter.

"He was the type of kid that you'd hope your daughter would bring home, he was such a nice kid," said McDermott.

Determination defined Falter's life. In high school, he wowed people by stepping onto the basketball court, even with severe ankle problems.

"He did everything he could to overcompensate for any difficulties he was dealt. He would not accept the fact that something was, oh, you can't do that," Larry King, Falter's JHS Principal.

It was his dream to serve and follow his brothers, also service members, into battle. As Homer makes plans to honor Falter, its pride was on display on its marquee for everyone to see.

"The community, and us, we will all miss him," King said.

Shawn Patrick Falter, a nice kid from Homer, now an American Hero taken in the City of Karbala.

Army Pfc. Shawn P. Falter was killed in action on 1/20/07.