Marine's remains arrive back home in Mancelona

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Veterans groups watch the arrival of the casket of Marine Sgt. Jason Dean Calo, which arrived Cherry Capital Airport on Friday afternoon. Record-Eagle/JAN-MICHAEL STUMP
A Marine honor guard carries the casket of Marine Sgt. Jason Dean Calo, which arrived Cherry Capital Airport on Friday afternoon. Record-Eagle/JAN-MICHAEL STUMP
Patriot Guard members line the driveway from the airport tarmac while waiting to greet the casket of Marine Sgt. Jason Dean Calo, which arrived Cherry Capital Airport on Friday afternoon. Record-Eagle/JAN-MICHAEL STUMP

August 28, 2010

Calo died Sunday while on patrol in Afghanistan

BY ALEX PIAZZA apiazza@record-eagle.com The Record Eagle Sat Aug 28, 2010, 07:14 AM EDT

TRAVERSE CITY — Ron Szeve often heard Jason Calo talk about his dream to someday become a U.S. Marine.

They were far too young to enlist, but Szeve knew his longtime friend eventually would make a career out of the military. Calo, 23, of Mancelona, fulfilled that dream.

Szeve stood outside Cherry Capital Airport on Friday to honor Calo, who died this week in overseas combat.

"I'm kind of still in shock about it all, so I'm just going with the flow," Szeve said. "Somebody I grew up with isn't here anymore. He did what he set out to do. He served his country well."

Calo, a 2005 Mancelona High School graduate, died Sunday while he was on patrol with the Second Marine Battalion in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. His body arrived Friday afternoon at the Traverse City airport, as hundreds gathered to honor the fallen Marine.

Several area veterans and members of the Patriot Guard Riders led a procession that escorted Calo's remains from the airport to Mortensen Funeral Homes in Mancelona in preparation for his memorial service next week.

Calo is survived by his wife, Sarah, a daughter, 4, a son, 2, and several other family members.

Gail McAllister never met Calo but stopped by the airport to pay her respects. McAllister said she has relatives who serve in the military overseas, so Calo's death had a profound impact on her.

"It makes me feel kind of scared that my cousin could be coming home like this," said McAllister, of Traverse City.

Calo left his station at Camp Lejeune, N.C., in June to fulfill his second tour of duty in the Middle East. He served in Iraq from September 2008 to April 2009, Department of Defense records show. His duty was to observe and monitor artillery fire.

He enlisted in the Marines in 2006 and rose to the rank of sergeant within three years. Calo enjoyed a brief yet decorated military career, which included being the recipient of the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

Ginny Hlavka waved an American flag as fellow Marines carried Calo's casket.

"I did not know this young man ... but I'm proud of what he did," said Hlavka, of Kingsley.

Hlavka already has attended three local military services this year. Army Sgt. Dillon Foxx, 22, of Traverse City, died in February, while Marine Cpl. Paul Miller, 22, of Lake Ann, died last month.

About 1,140 members of the U.S. military died in the war in Afghanistan, defense records show

Calo's visitation is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, and funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Mancelona High School gymnasium.