Sad farewell to
soldier from Somerton

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

Patriot Guard Riders with American flags in hand stood vigil as friends, family and fellow veterans bid farewell to one of their own last week.
The motto of the motorcycle group, comprised mostly of veterans, is "Standing for those who stood for us."
Cpl. Adam J. Chitjian, 39, did just that. Born and raised in Somerton, Chitjian received his first Holy Communion at St. Christopher parish, attended Baldi Middle School, graduated in 1987 from George Washington High School and loved the Grateful Dead.
The husband, son, brother, uncle and friend died Oct. 25 when he came under attack of small-weapons fire in Balad, Iraq, about 50 miles north of Baghdad.
He is survived by his wife Shirley, whom he married last summer after his first tour of duty in Iraq; his father, Martin; a brother, Martin; sister, Kara Spatola, and four nieces and nephews. His mother, Edith Curcio Chitjian, died in 1998.
Chitjian joined the military in August 2003 as a combat engineer. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Calvary Division based out of Ft. Hood, Texas. He deployed for his second tour of duty in October 2006 and was due home at the end of this month.
"This sure does bring the war back home," said Ann Litt, a longtime neighbor of the Chitjian family. "His father told me he remembered how our kids would be playing army in the back yard. Never really thought they’d be playing army," Litt said.
Friends, many clutching or donning red, white and blue ribbons, stood outside the funeral home, smoking cigarettes and reminiscing over photographs of themselves with Chitjian back in the day.
Chitjian’s tribute had a certain panache to it, as a soulful rendition of Amazing Grace was played on the saxophone. It couldn’t have been more moving.
For Mike Jacoby, Chitjian’s friend of 36 years and one of two to eulogize the Somerton native, the news of his death was a "cruel slap in the face."
"I will miss his generosity, loyalty and strength. Comfort now lies in stories of our shared past," Jacoby said.
Jacoby told those gathered to honor his friend that in January 2003, Chitjian had gone to the Army recruiter at the Roosevelt Mall and had told him that he wanted to engage the enemy, among other things. The recruiter told Chitjian that he had to lose 30 pounds and 8 inches around his waist. He did what he needed to do and was in basic training by the end of August. Talk about persistence and determination.
"One thing is universal. We don’t understand," said the Rev. Joseph P. Garvin, St. Christopher’s pastor.
He quoted St. Paul’s letter to Timothy: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
"Just because he was killed in action, he didn’t lose the race, didn’t lose the fight. He still strengthens us and strengthens our resolve to defend our country," Garvin said.
Brigadier General Thomas Cole spoke on behalf of the U.S. Army.
"War is won and fought on a very personal level," the general said. "Not just soldiers pay the price for our freedom. America and America’s Army understand that you too have paid a price."
Cole knelt down to Chitjian’s widow Shirley and then to his father Martin and showed them the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Combat Action Badge awarded to Chitjian "on behalf of a grateful nation."
The fallen soldier’s other awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Marksmanship Qualification Badge. He was also posthumously promoted from private first class to corporal.
Shirley Chitjian took the podium after Jacoby and family friend Jackie Kaplan had spoken. Wearing a yellow ribbon with "Adam" written on it, she composed herself and thanked everyone for the outpouring of love.
She also gave a special thank-you to Staff Sgt. Jason Anderson, who was her husband’s "battle buddy" and was not only with him when he died but killed the insurgent that took her husband’s life, as well. Anderson also escorted her husband home.
The brave widow went on to share her husband’s last words to her the day before he died: "I love you, baby, and I’ll try to call you tomorrow."
In closing, Shirley Chitjian asked everyone to exercise their voice by registering to vote.
After the service, everyone gathered outside for the military honors. The American flag had earlier been lowered to half-staff.
Chitjian’s family watched as the military honor guard flanked Chitjian’s casket and three riflemen, out on the lawn near Southampton Road, shot three rounds of fire to salute their fallen comrade, while Patriot Guard Riders and fellow military saluted.
The honor guard then precisely folded the American flag, handed it to Cole, who presented it to Chitjian’s widow, and presented another one to Chitjian’s father.
The Patriot Guard Riders paid Chitjian one last honor, escorting the hearse carrying his body to the mortuary. The burial was to be private. ••
Reporter Diane Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dprokop@phillynews.com