Soldier to be laid to rest on Thursday

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ALTOONA - Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard's 2/112th Infantry are mourning the loss of one of their own as family and friends prepare to lay a fallen soldier from the region to rest on Thursday.

Spc. Chad A. Edmundson, 20, of Williamsburg, died May 27 in Abu Gharaib, Iraq, due to wounds from a bomb that detonated while he was on dismounted patrol with the Iraqi Army, according to information released by military officials. At the direction of Gov. Edward G. Rendell, all U.S. and Pennsylvania flags should be lowered to half staff today in the Capitol Complex and throughout the commonwealth to honor Edmundson's memory, officials said.

Edmundson was assigned to B Company, 2/112th Infantry based in Altoona, serving as part of the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team currently deployed in Iraq. Other units of the 2/112th - including the soldiers of HHC 2/112th based in Lewistown - have served under the umbrella of the brigade, headquartered at Camp Liberty north of Baghdad, since arriving overseas in January.

Officials also said three others were injured in the blast from the improvised explosive device that claimed Edmundson's life.

"Chad personified every aspect of the Army values. His character was defined by selfless service," said Capt. Jason Hoffman, Edmundson's company commander.

Hoffman said Edmundson helped build a foundation of teamwork and camaraderie by aggressively completing any mission without hesitation or complaint, and his attitude spread among the soldiers around him.

"(Chad) was a builder. By the work of his hands and his winning spirit he built up those around him," Hoffman said. "He lifted up his squad and platoon with his high motivation."

Edmundson's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Medal with "M" device, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Born in Altoona, Edmundson was a 2008 graduate of Williamsburg Community High School. According to an obituary published in the Altoona Mirror, he is survived by his father, Roy and wife, Sherry, with whom he resided; his mother, Karen Cornell, of rural Everett; two sisters: Jessica Miller, of Enola, and Stephanie Foor, at home; three brothers: Alex, at home, and Timothy and Benjamin Cornell, both of Bedford; his grandparents: Donna Edmundson, of Hollidaysburg, and Vernon Craw, of Altoona; and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.

Friends will be received from 1 to 3 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. today at Williamsburg Alliance Church, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, with Pastor Paul R. Campbell officiating. Interment with full military honors will be held at Dry Run Cemetery, rural Duncansville.

Arrangements are under the supervision of Bolger Funeral Home Inc., Williamsburg.

Army Sgt. Dustin Roberts and Altoona Mirror Staff Writers Phil Ray and Wendy McCardle contributed to this article.