Lancaster native killed in Afghanistan

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Lancaster native killed in Afghanistan
By: Jeff Barron, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette | Updated 2:03 p.m. ET March 23, 2019
RE: https://www.cincinnati.com/story/new...an/3254569002/

LANCASTER - Lancaster native Joseph Peter Collette was one of two military members killed in Afghanistan Thursday, his stepfather Jim Wickline said.

USA Today said the two were killed in a combat mission.

Photo link: https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2...unds&auto=webp
Lancaster native Joseph Peter Collette was killed this week while serving with the Army in Afghanistan. (Photo: Submitted by Jim Wickline)

Collette, 29, was in the Army and graduated from Lancaster High School in 2007, Wickline said. Wickline said Collette was a corporal and worked in explosive disposal.

"He was loved by many people," Wickline said. "He was funny and laid back."

The Army has not confirmed the names of the two killed.

Wickline said Collette's parents are Joey Collette and Theresa Mecionis.

He said Collette's body will arrive at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware and then arrive at Rickenbacker International Airport probably on Sunday. A procession is planned in Lancaster with Collette's body heading for Frank E. Smith Funeral Home on Columbus Street at some point.

Lancaster Fire Department Assistant Chief K.J. Watts said the fire department will be a part of the procession. But he did not yet know the time.

Watts said funeral home representatives said it would probably take a couple days for the military to prepare Collette's body before it can proceed to Lancaster. Therefore, he said there will be no procession on Sunday, but that it may be on Monday. It was first thought the procession would be Sunday, but Watts said that will not be the case.

More than 2,400 U.S. troops have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001, USA Today said. Thirteen troops died there in 2018.

Check back with the Eagle-Gazette at www.lancastereaglegazette.com for more details on the procession as they become available.

USA Today contributed to this story.
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The Patriot Files family - send "Our Respects" to the Family & Friends of Collette's and his parents are Joey Collette and Theresa Mecionis.

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