“It feels like I lost a family member,” said 18-year-old Pvt. Danny Kuesis. “This feels like I knew him my whole life. It’s amazingly difficult.”

They both said that it’s important for them to stay focused on their mission, “doing what we feel is needed to support our family, to support their rights,” said 17-year-old Pvt. Rodney Harsh. “Our forefathers fought for our country, I feel it’s our right to stand up for it, too.”

The support shown Friday is typical of Jamestown, said Patricia Potter, an officer with VFW Post 5424.

“They automatically turn out by the hundreds to show their approval for any of the Jamestown kids who have served in the military and to any of the kids who go out of their way to make a difference in the world,” said Potter, a Navy nurse during Vietnam. “I think this is something we just automatically do for someone who has served our country and, in particular, such a young kid who went to do his duty. Unfortu-nately, we lose a lot of them, the same as when I was in Vietnam. We lost so many. This is the least you can do to show your gratitude.”

“He was an outstanding young man. He was definitely an asset to his community as well as his family,” she said.

Calling hours will be Monday from noon to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. at Randall Funeral Home, 416 Liberty St., Jamestown.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 10:45 a.m. in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.

Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery and will be followed with a 21-gun salute.

Donations may be made to the David Michael Veverka Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o First National Bank, PO Box 246, Jamestown, Pa. 16134.

Eric Reinagel can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at ereinagel@meadvilletribune.com

Click here for today's COMPLETE Meadville Tribune