Explosion kills 2 soldiers who were stationed in New Castle

One other soldier was injured in the blast.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The flag flew at half-staff outside the New Castle National Guard Armory.
"It reflects our pride and respect, yet our loss," said Maj. Doug Etter, chaplain for the 1st Battalion, 107th Field Artillery .
Two soldiers, Spc. Carl F. Curran II, 22, of Union City, Pa., and Spc. Mark J. Kasecky, 20, of McKees Rocks, Pa., died from injuries after their humvee tumbled into a ravine. An explosive device went off under the military vehicle sending it off a bridge, Army officials said. Union City is in Erie County, and McKees Rocks in Allegheny County.
A third man in the humvee, Robert Emerick of Monroeville, Pa., survived with cuts and bruises. He is being treated and will return to duty, said Maj. Grey Berrier II, executive administrative officer with the Pennsylvania National Guard.
Berrier said the last time the 1st Battalion, 107th Field Artillery had a death was during World War II.
Routine patrol
Berrier said Curran and Kasecky were on a routine patrol with three other humvees outside Fallujah, Iraq, when they died.
Officers said it is unlikely they will find the person who set the explosive device.
"They are modern-day booby traps," said Lt. Col. Chris Cleaver, Pennsylvania National Guard spokesman.
About 400 Pennsylvania National Guardsmen from that unit, who hail from Lawrence and Mercer counties, as well as Oil City, Scranton and Pittsburgh, remain in Iraq.
Curran and Kasecky will be posthumously awarded the Pennsylvania Distinguished Service Medal.
Curran leaves a wife, Dianna, and an infant son. Kasecky leaves his mother, Emily K. Arnold, and a sister, Veronica M. Horton of Wilmerding.
National Guard officials said the bodies should be returned to the United States this week, and private services will be held.
cioffi@vindy.com