Soldier Dies During Training in Iraq, Heart Attack, 24 Y.O

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Another death

Boston Globe.

Boston.com

Soldier dies during training in Iraq

Pittsfield man, 24, suffers heart attack

By Abel, Globe Staff, 12/23/2003

Three months after returning from his second tour of duty in Korea, Army

Sergeant Glenn R. left for another mission. But this time, he landed in

the epicenter of current American conflict, Iraq.

The new mission lasted less than a week. The 24-year-old from Pittsfield

had a heart attack on Dec. 18 during physical training, his mother said

yesterday.

" He was a good boy who wanted to serve his country, " said his mother,

. " He felt he was there to protect his family and to do his

duty. "

Although had only a month at home between missions, he had enough

time to escort his sister, Jons -Cardoso, at her wedding on the day after

Thanksgiving, his mother said.

" He is my only brother, and our mother raised us alone, so he gave me away

at my wedding, " -Cardoso told the Associated Press. " We'll always have

that. "

's mother said she was perplexed by the cause of death because she

believed her son was in excellent health. He had been sickened recently by shots

he was required to take before entering Iraq, and she wondered if they played a

role in his death.

In addition to his mother and sister, leaves a 7-year-old

daughter, Kaleigh. " He loved her very much, " his mother said.

served as an infantryman in the 10th Mountain Division, which is

based at Fort Drum, N.Y., where he spent much of the past month training before

leaving. The soldier grew up in Pittsfield and joined the Army at age 17, just

after graduating from Pittsfield High School in 1997, his mother said.

" He always wanted to be in the Army, " his mother said. " Since he was 5

years old, all it was, was Army, Army, Army. "

A football player in high school who enjoyed rap music and video games, he

saw the Army as an opportunity to see the world and serve his country, his

mother said. Over the years, she said, he won many commendations and awards for

good service, including the Bronze Star.

In May, he was promoted to sergeant. last spoke to her son a week

ago, just after he had arrived in Iraq. He was a bit nervous, she said he

acknowledged, but he didn't want anyone to worry.

" He said he loved me, " said. " He said, `I'll be all right, Ma. I

know what I have to do.' "

A funeral service is planned for Saturday at the Dery Funeral Home in

Pittsfield, his mother said. He will be buried afterward in Pittsfield Cemetery.

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