WARE — Gov. Charlie Baker joined the family of Army Pfc. Brian Odiorne in welcoming the body of the 21-year-old Massachusetts soldier home Thursday.
Odiorne, a Ware native and 2014 graduate of Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School, died in the Al Anbar province of Iraq on Feb. 20. Officials at Fort Hood, Texas, where Odiorne’s unit is stationed when not deployed, described the death as a “non-combat related incident.”
Baker, who was joined by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito at Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, did not announce his attendance ahead of time. Their visit came to light only after a reporter questioned him about the trip, according to State House News Service.
Baker became visibly emotional when asked about his time with Odiorne’s family and girlfriend.
“We honor and we cherish and we celebrate the men and women who serve, but we should always remember that for every one of them there is a mom and a dad and a brother and a sister or a husband and a wife who gives them permission to keep us safe and serve our country,” Baker told reporters. “We should never forget that.”
Odiorne was near Ramadi, Iraq, with the Army’s 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division when he died. Officials have not described the circumstances surrounding his death, saying only that the incident is “currently under investigation by special agents from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command.”
The 21-year-old was overseas as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the multinational effort to push the Islamic State out of Iraq and Syria. His decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Army Service Medal.
Those who knew him have recalled Odiorne as a kind and helpful young man.
“He was a very mild-mannered and gentle soul, well-liked by the students,” Mary Jane Rickson, principal at Pathfinder High School, told the Gazette when news of Odiorne’s death reached home. “A very, very nice boy.”
Baker said Odiorne’s relatives, who have requested privacy, were amazed at the outpouring of support from the community.
Odiorne’s funeral service will be held at All Saints Church in Ware on Saturday. He will be given full military honors at his burial at New St. Williams Cemetery. The services, which will be led by Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski, are closed to the press, according to a spokesman for the diocese.
“He loved spending time with his Pappy, running the backhoe and tractors with him, and played on the baseball, football and wrestling teams in high school. He was an avid gamer who loved PlayStation,” reads Odiorne’s obituary. “Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, making them feel loved and always leaving you with a smile and love in your heart.”
Francisco Urena, the state’s secretary of veterans’ affairs, announced via Twitter on Thursday that U.S. and commonwealth flags would be lowered to half-staff across Massachusetts on Saturday.
Derrick Perkins can be reached at dperkins@gazettenet.com.