David R. Fahey Jr., Born in Norwalk, Laid to Rest with Honors in Yorktown, NY, at Age 23

The funeral Mass honoring the life of Army Spc. Thursday was as much patriotic as it was mournful, with standing ovations for the sacrifices of all those in the military offered amid tears for a 23-year-old life cut short in the grip of war still unfolding thousands of miles away.

But as several hundred people stood inside St. Patrick's Church, and even outside on the rain-soaked streets of Yorktown Heights, few emotions could match the will of the soldier's father as he rose to honor the young man.

"As my son gave his life, I can stand here today proud of that," Tom Fahey said.

An escort of police and emergency responders brought Fahey's remains and flag-bearing veterans and members of the Patriot Guard Rides stood at the church's entrance. Police directed traffic as a few onlookers stood on the side of the roads holding flags and paying their final respects. Fahey died Feb. 28 from an improvised explosive device in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

 lent its space to the congregation of , located nearby, which Fahey attended with his family. 

Pastor Dan O'Brien, of Calvary, asked all military men and women, war veterans and those currently serving, to stand up for everyone to applause in appreciation. Soon the entire audience was standing up, clapping.

Tom Fahey, who adopted David, his nephew, said he questioned if he would even have the courage to speak.

But, he said, "I realized that I need to stand up here and testify for my son."

Although, 's life has not been easy, he said, the young man had deep faith in God, a keen sense of humor and was always . 

Fahey was born in Norwalk, a connection honored by the appearance of Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy at his funeral, among many other local dignitaries, local and countywide. On Thursday Malloy ordered flags in Connecticut, which had been at half-staff in Fahey's honor since the news of his death, to be fully raised as of sunset.

Tom and Fran Fahey adopted him and his siblings, Phyllis and Nicholas, when he was a child after his father died. The couple also has four biological children—Brianna, Tyler, Samantha and Blake. His cousins became his siblings. 

"When I really look back, I call him my brother because he was my brother, my best friend, my hero," Tyler Fahey said fighting back tears. 

Tyler, a senior at Yorktown High School, described the kind of everyday moment we all take for granted — David buying a Nerf gun during his last visit home — that in times of loss become as precious as diamonds, sharp-edged memories on which to hold fast.

Fahey joined the military in 2007 but always talked about it following the events of 9/11. 

"At first I didn't know why, and I would say, 'Dave I don't know what you're doing. I want to be with you,'" Tyler said. 

Fahey's squad leader, U.S. Army Sgt. Skye Ortiz, told those gathered at the church that he will remember him for always smiling, and being good at his job, and inspiring others. He added that Fahey was proud of his family and will forever be missed. 

"I lost one of the most influential, kind-hearted, hardest-working soldiers, friends and brothers I ever had the pleasure of knowing," he said.

It's caused the biggest heartache, he said, he's ever experienced in his 26 years of life. During the 4-mile foot patrol that Fahey and he were on that night before the vehicle was hit, Fahey had been making sure everyone was safe. 

"He was the glue that always kept the squad together," Ortiz said. "We will always carry him with us in our minds, and in our hearts. We all know that he is watching us, keeping us safe out there."

He called Fahey a "teddy bear" with the "heart of a lion," who enjoyed working out, flexing his muscles and watching episodes of the "Jersey Shore." 

Tom Fahey said his son was a man of integrity, who liked fast cars and was a good driver, that's why he was driving the vehicle in Kandahar province when it hit the IED.

He was assigned to the 170th Military Police Company, 504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, at Joint Base Lewis McChord. His unit deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in June 2010. He ultimately wanted to become a police officer. 

Fahey's training sergeant described him as "dedicated," "loyal" and "caring." He said he was like a son to him, who will always be in his heart, and for that he will make sure that no matter where he goes, Fahey is honored. 

And again, the father spoke on behalf of his son:

"Live for today and enjoy the moment," Tom Fahey said. "I will tell you as I realized that my son David was facing life and death situations every day, he took the moments he had and he appreciated each thing."

Army Specialist David R. Fahey, Jr. was laid to rest at Rose Hills Memorial Park Cemetery in Putnam Valley with full military honors.

Editor's note: This article, in a slightly different form, is published on the Web site.

See also, on Yorktown Patch.