A hero's tribute for Christopher J. Scott

DUNDEE (9/14/11)--Christopher J. Scott received a hero's funeral service with full military honors at a Sept. 14 afternoon ceremony that included service officers, public officials, community leaders, friends, family and several hundred people from the community.
After a 90 minute service at the Dundee Central School gymnasium Scott's flag-draped coffin was transported on a horse-drawn caisson. The funeral procession traveled west about one-half mile on Millard Street to his final resting place at Hillside Cemetery in Dundee.
A military and Patriot Guard Riders escort brought the body of Christopher J. Scott, Dundee Central School graduate and an Army military policeman who was killed in Afghanistan, to Dundee from the Elmira-Corning Regional Airport, Saturday, Sept. 10.
The charter plane arrived in Elmira shortly after 9 a.m. The escort was joined by area fire departments. The procession started at the airport in Elmira and continued north on Route 14A to the village of Dundee. In Dundee, residents and supporters lined the village streets, many waving flags, to support the fallen soldier.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to create the Christopher J. Scott Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o ServU Credit Union, 46 Millard St. Dundee, N.Y. 14837. Donations must be made out to the Scott memorial fund.
Christopher joined the army soon after he graduated from high school in 2009. He was assigned to the 561st Military Police Company, 716th Military Police Battalion, 101st Sustainment Brigade. Christopher was stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky. in May 2010. He was deployed in July 2011 to Kandahar, Afghanistan, where he made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, he died "of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with small arms fire." His military awards and decorations include: the National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star; Overseas Service Ribbon; and he has been awarded the following medals posthumously, the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, NATO Medal, and Combat Action Badge.
Christopher was born Nov. 17, 1989, in New Port Richey, Fla., the son of Kenneth M. and Tammy L. Trank Scott. He was raised in Dundee, and graduated from Dundee Central School in 2009. He was an excellent student and athlete, having received both Maroon and White Varsity Letters in football, track and as the only male cheerleader on the varsity squad. Chris had also been a Boy Scout, and as an avid sportsman, and hunter who loved duck and coon hunting, he was a former member of the Spencer Van Etten Coon Hunting Club. Chris was skilled in martial arts, having studied under Zeus Ortiz in Dundee, and later with Dwight Laffler at Penn Yan Martial Arts; receiving his Senior Red Belt. C
hristopher is survived by his parents Kenneth M. and Tammy L. Scott at home in Tyrone, N.Y.; two brothers, PFC Michael A. Scott currently stationed at Fort Riley, Ka., as part of the 1st Engineer Battalion 41st Engineer Company, and Daniel S. Scott at home; his maternal grandparents Kenneth and Marge Trank, paternal grandmother Cathy Scott both of Dundee, his fiancée who he was going to marry on Sept. 18, Tory L. Oden of Clarksville, Tenn., his Brother In Arms SPC Daniel L. Osciezanek currently serving in Kandahar, Afghanistan; several aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends.
State Sen. Tom O'Mara (R-C, Big Flats) released a statement Tuesday, Sept. 6, about Scott saying: "Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of U.S. Army Specialist Christopher Scott. I know that I join the communities of Tyrone and Dundee, and the residents of Yates County and our entire region in mourning Christopher's passing and in expressing our enduring gratitude and respect for his service."