Thousands Remember Sgt. Mark Ecker

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By Matthew Campbell

Story Published: Jul 17, 2009 at 11:42 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jul 17, 2009 at 11:49 PM EDT

As the family of East Longmeadow's Sgt. Mark Ecker prepares their son to be laid to rest, thousands from around the region gathered at his alma mater for a final goodbye.

The open casket was viewed by thousands Friday afternoon.

One week ago, Ecker, who survived losing both his legs in battle, died in a tragic car accident on 93 in Andover.

Family, friends and complete strangers paid their final respects to the hometown hero.

His best friend, David Avezzie, takes us through the track field where he and Ecker met doing cross country running. The high school teammates turned into lifelong buddies

People talk about him being a hero and that's who Mark was from the get-go. He was always that guy," Avezzie says.

Both wanted to go into military service. Mark was the one who made it.

"He said he wanted to go into the military, he went into the military. He said he wanted to be a combat veteran, he went into combat," Avezzie recalls.

And in combat, Sgt. Ecker lost both legs. CBS 3 Springfield was at Walter Reed for the rehab, and there as the East Longmeadow native returned to his boyhood home.

Throughout, Ecker was all smiles

"He had an infectious smile, that whoever was around would see what he's going through, whatever worries you were going through were certainly minimized," says Jim Driscoll, East Longmeadow Selectman.

From the selectmen who knew him, to the veteran brothers he made when he returned, all were amazed by Ecker's character.

He was such a lift to the community and to the country.

That is how East Longmeadow's Sgt. Mark Ecker will be remembered.

On Saturday, thousands are expected for another service at the East Longmeadow High School's football field. It starts at 11AM.

Ecker's funeral is scheduled for Monday, at The Forastierre-Smith Funeral home.

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Fr. Daniel B. Brunton. said on Saturday, Jul 18 at 10:22 AM

Mass was celebrated at Heritage No. Nursing Home for Mark and his family.

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