Families pay respects as bodies of fallen soldiers return to Capital Region

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The Capital Region honored and remembered Chief Warrant Officers Casey Frankoski and John Grassia on Monday. A plane carrying their remains arrived at Albany International Airport around 3 p.m.

Before touching down, the C-130 carrying the bodies of two fallen heroes made one final pass over their home of the Capital Region.

“It’s an unfortunate process that’s part of the Army,” said Colonel Jason Lefton, of the State Army Aviation Office.

Both families of John Grassia and Kasey Frankoski, now connected by one tragedy, arriving by bus to receive their caskets. “They are heroes. All the soldiers here are hurting,” said Lefton.

Waiting along with the families were Governor Kathy Hochul and members of the National Guard. Once on the ground, the caskets draped with the American flag were escorted by the 8-member honor guard and placed into two separate hearses.

Every single family member took a moment to pay their respects and honor Frankoski and Grassia.

“We are going to treat them with dignity and respect and make sure we are caring for their families,” said Lefton.