Eric Wilkus

Family, friends grieve soldier
Memories sustain those close to Wilkus
Thursday, December 28, 2006
BY LISA RICH
HAMILTON -- Unless you knew him well, you would think Eric R. Wilkus was a quiet boy.

While serving as a volunteer firefighter with the White Horse Fire Company, he'd often just stand in the background, watching and learning. Always, with a smile on his face.

"But if you could really get to know Eric, you'd see that he was loud, boisterous and made his point clear," said Ryan Kingston, a friend and fellow firefighter. "He was dependable and so easy to get along with."

The memories, tinged by tears, flooded Wilkus' friends yesterday as they absorbed the news that his name was on the latest casualty lists from the war in Iraq.

Wilkus, 20, died Christmas Day in Landstuhl, Germany, from a noncombat-related injury he sustained three days earlier in Baghdad.

Wilkus was a private first class with the Army's 57th Military Police Company, 8th Military Police Brigade, and had been stationed in Korea until he was deployed to Iraq in June.

Military officials yesterday would not release further information about the cause of Wilkus' death, saying the incident is being investigated. According to the Department of Defense, he is one of nearly 3,000 Americans who have died supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the 66th soldier with ties to New Jersey to lose his life in the conflict.

"And every day, more people are dying," said Kingston, 19, a medic with the U.S. Army National Guard in Delaware. "It could be any of us, at any moment in time. It's hard, and tear-jerking to know his time came."

Wilkus and Kingston had been friends since high school, graduating a year apart from Hamilton High West. From playing the tenor saxophone together in the band, talking about girls and spinning doughnuts in parking lots while driving around in Wilkus' black Chevy pickup truck, Kingston said they shared many memories he'll never forget.

"We always managed to have a really fun time," Kingston said. "Even if we had to sneak around our parents, we were good enough friends to always have something to do."

The pair also trained together as junior firefighters at the White Horse Firehouse, where Wilkus volunteered his services since age 16. He received certification as a rookie firefighter and emergency medical technician after completing a yearlong program for high school seniors run by the Mercer County Technical School and the Mercer County Community College, said Fire Chief Richard Soltis Jr.

Sitting yesterday at the firehouse, Wilkus' fellow firefighters reminisced about the energetic young man who was eager to serve the community, and ever excited to hop on the firetruck and assist at fire scenes.

"He was typical, like many of us, who are eager to learn but what they really want is to get on that truck," joked Fire Captain Joe Troyano. "But he was also following his father's footsteps. And if you needed something done, he'd do it without question, and with a smile."

The soldier's father, Walter Wilkus, has been a member of the White Horse Fire Company for the past two decades. Eric Wilkus' parents were at his bedside in Germany and did not return until yesterday afternoon. Needing time to grieve over their loss, the family was not ready to comment, said a friend who was stationed outside their house.

"We are making preparations for his funeral, and we're ready to offer whatever support we can to his family," said Soltis, adding he had received occasional updates from the family about Eric Wilkus since his enlistment. "Last time I talked to his dad in early December, Eric was really 'in the thick of things.' We'll be here for whatever that family needs."

Though funeral arrangements are still being made, Soltis said the firefighters are working on providing a color guard at the service, and at the family's request, a vintage 1953 firetruck that may carry the casket and flowers.

The funeral may also be carried out in a formal military service, Kingston said, which involves a roll call, a taps trumpet performance, and a 21-gun salute.

"When they get to his name, they'll call it four times. He won't answer, and that's when taps will be played," said Kingston, wiping the tears from his eyes. "That's hard. That's really, really hard."

Contact Lisa Rich at erich@njtimes.com or (609) 989-5723.