Family Recalls Bloomingdale Soldier's Life, Accomplishments

Between tears, Erika Lechowich spoke with pride about her older brother who teased her mercilessly but loved her fiercely.

"He was incredibly intelligent, well-read and always fun to be around," said the 25-year-old, addressing the media Tuesday at a press conference outside the family's home in Bloomingdale East. "He had an amazingly outgoing personality and was always the life of the party."

But there was a serious side to the 27-year-old Army first lieutenant, said his father, Rick.

"He was doing the hardest thing in the hardest place, and wouldn't have had it any other way," said Rick Lechowich. "Ivan loved a good party, but knew there were times you just had to square your shoulders."

Ivan Lechowich was doing just that on Sept. 28. He and his specialized team were charged with clearing improvised explosive devices from roads in Afghanistan.

"We don't know an awful lot about what happened," said Rick Lechowich, a retired Army lieutenant colonel now working as a civilian at U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base. "Apparently, they had disarmed a couple of IEDs and had remounted the vehicle. As they pulled forward, they hit a massive IED that was still in the road."

Lechowich, along with his driver and gunner, were killed in the explosion.

"He lost his own life, but I'm sure he saved lives that day," said his father. "He didn't have to do what he did. He chose the risk freely."

When asked how he felt about his son's sacrifice, Lechowich replied, "I have no words. I'm just very proud."

"He was just a compassionate man and did what needed to be done with humor and good grace," said his mother, Gina. "Ivan was a good man. We selfishly thought we'd have him longer."

The first lieutenant leaves behind his wife, Jen, and a baby girl, Natalie, who he only saw on Skype and Facebook.

Natalie Marie was born 10 days early, on Friday, Sept. 23. If she'd been born on her due date, her father would have never set eyes on her.

"I think Natalie was born early just so her dad could see her," said Gina Lechowich.

Lechowich was assigned to the 5th Engineer Battalion, 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, when he was deployed to Afghanistan. He and Jen, who met while both were delivering pizza at Papa John's on Bell Shoals Road in Valrico, had dated for five years before marrying last November.

Jen Lechowich, who has a master's degree is women's studies from the University of South Florida, became pregnant soon after, and her husband excitedly purchased a car seat, stroller and baby items with the University of Florida logo, Lechowich's alma mater.

His father said the family had been surprised when Lechowich announced that he'd joined the Army. After obtaining a history degree from UF, he tried law school and decided it wasn't for him.  

He entered the United States Army in July 2009 and was commissioned an engineer officer through Delta Company, Officer Candidate School in Fort Benning, Ga., in January 2010. In December 2010, he was assigned to the 5th Engineer Battalion at Fort Leonard Wood.

But Lechowich wasn't satisfied with being simply a combat engineer. He was selected to enter the specialized Sapper school for combat engineers.

He also attended the Engineer Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Leonard Wood before being assigned to the 554th Engineer Battalion Sapper Leader Course there as company executive officer for the Sapper Leader Course.

After a short time on the battalion staff, he was assigned to the 515th Sapper Company as a platoon leader and deployed to Afghanistan in April.

After his deployment, Jen Lechowich and the couple's two pit bull mixes, J.D. and Hunter, left Fort Leonard Wood and moved in with the Lechowich family in Bloomingdale.

"We hope she continues staying with us," said Gina Lechowich. "She and little Natalie have been such a blessing."

Community Support

The Lechowiches say they've been overwhelmed with the support of the community, from their church, in Valrico, and from their respective employers.

Gina works at USAA, which provides life, home and auto insurance to members of the military.

"The people at Central Command brought in tables and chairs and food for us and at least two people from my office come by each day," she said. "Everyone has been kind and generous with their hugs and prayers."

"They say in the military, you have two families, and that's true," said Rick Lechowich.

Services

Erika Lechowich tearfully recalled the last time she saw her brother.

"I gave him a big hug and told him to be careful," she said.

Lechowich will be buried with military honors.

During his short military career, he received the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Sapper Tab and the German Armed Forces Competency Medal.

Among his accomplishments, he and his team were the first on the scene when the helicopter carrying 22 Navy Seals crashed Aug. 6 in Afghanistan.

Ten months after the Lechowiches were married there, there will be a funeral Mass at St. Stephen Catholic Church, 5049 Bell Shoals Rd., Valrico, at noon Saturday.

Burial will follow at Serenity Meadows Memorial Park, Riverview.

The family will receive friends at St. Stephen Catholic Church on Friday, Oct. 14, from 2-4 p.m. and from 7:30-9 p.m. A wake service will be held at 8:30 p.m.

On Thursday, Oct. 13, the public will have an opportunity to pay its respects to  Lechowich and his family during a Fallen Hero Escort.

Lechowich's remains will arrive at 9:05 a.m. at MacDill Air Force Base and the escort will begin at around 9:45-10 a.m.

Residents are invited to pay tribute by lining up along the route, which will begin at the MacDill AFB Bayshore gate, travel north on Bayshore Boulevard, north on South Magnolia Ave., east on Platt Street, north on Plant Street, east on Kennedy Boulevard, south on Ashley Street, east on Jackson Street, east on Twiggs Street, north on Channelside Drive, east on State Road 60, south on Kings Avenue, west on Lumsden Road and south on Providence road to Serenity Meadows, 6919 Providence Rd., Riverview.