....October 9, 4:11 PM
	Hometown Hero Dies In Afghanistan Spec. Jason von Zerneck died Oct. 2 in Afghanistan. By Lisa Fogarty Queens has lost a great man and gained a hero. Specialist Jason von Zerneck, 33, died on Oct. 2 when his vehicle overturned during a logistical convoy in Qara Bagh Karze, Afghanistan, Army officials said. The soldier and Kew Gardens resident is survived by his wife, Stephanie, 30, three children – daughter Raina, 9, and sons Joseph, 6, and Noah, 3 – and his parents, mother Barbara, and father, Richard, both from Manhattan. “He was a young man who related to people and was always able to help others,” his father recalled. “You could talk to him and he would always listen. He had a deep well of love inside of him. He loved his wife, he loved his children, and he loved his comrades. I will miss him deeply.” Von Zerneck graduated from Bronx Science High School and joined the New York Army National Guard in February 2006. He was assigned to B Troop, 2nd Squadron 101st Cavalry based in Jamestown, New York and belonged to Afghan Regional Security Integration Command- East, (ARSIC-East) which is responsible for training the Afghan National Army. He is the seventh New York Army National Guard Soldier serving in Afghanistan to die there since the 27th Brigade Combat Team deployed there in April. During his military career, the brave soldier earned several awards, including the Bronze Star Medal (awarded posthumously), the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, and the Combat Infantry Badge. “All members of the New York National Guard will mourn the loss of this Soldier who died defending his country and seeking to help the people of Afghanistan,” said Major General Joseph Taluto, Commander of the New York National Guard. “We mourn his loss with his family and we will do everything possible to help them through this tragedy.” Helen Marshall, Queens Borough President, issued a statement on Tuesday to express her deepest regret at the loss of such an accomplished man. “On behalf of the family of Queens, I extend our prayers and condolences to his widow, Stephanie, his three children – the oldest of whom is 9 – and his parents, colleagues and friends.”