Southington Native Killed in Iraq
Edward Kramer was one of four soldiers attacked by an IED
Sgt. 1st Class Edward Kramer was one of four North Carolina National Guard Soldiers who died on June 29 while on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq.
Sgt. 1st Class Edward C. Kramer was a Marine, a firefighter, a husband, a dad and a son. The fallen hero who grew up in Connecticut died tragically in Iraq last month.
Kramer, 39, of Wilmington, North Carolina, was one of four North Carolina National Guard Soldiers who died on June 29 while on patrol in Baghdad, Iraq. The Humvee they were riding in was attacked with an improvised explosive device.
Kramer was born in New Britain, grew up in Southington and went on to graduate from Blue Mountain Union High School in Vermont in 1988, according to his obituary.
Kramer served his country several times. He fought during the first Gulf War in 1991, enlisted in the North Carolina Army National Guard in November 1994 and signed up to fight again.
“He felt he belonged there because of the camaraderie” between soldiers, Tracy Bannon, a longtime friend, told Star News. “He wanted to be over there to protect them. He didn’t want to leave his brothers.”
He was an expert marksman who received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal, U.S. Army Commendation Medal, U.S. Army Achievement Medal, North Carolina Meritorious Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge, according to his obituary.
A formal service was held in Wilmington, N.C. on July 6 and a memorial mass will be held at St. Thomas Church on Bristol Street, in Southington at 11 a.m. on Aug. 1.
Donations may be made in Kramer’s name to your local fire department.
He is survived by his wife, Vicki Kramer and his daughters, Megan, 7, and Erica, 5, of Wilmington, N.C.
His mother, Maryann White, and her husband Charles, live in Southington. His father, Donald Kramer Sr. and his wife, Sandy, live in Tennessee.
Kramer is survived by two brothers, Donald Kramer and his wife Valerie of Plainville, and Burt Kramer and his wife Jeanine of Beacon Falls; and two sisters, Misty Carroll Durkee, of Cromwell, and Kelly Kramer, of Florida.
His maternal grandmother, Ferne Stevens, and his paternal grandmother, Arlene Kramer, live in Southington.
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