Aug 28, 2003 By Steve Ferris 4 min read

Just down the street from Missy and Eric Hull’s recently completed home decorated with countless American flags, hundreds of friends joined the Hull family Wednesday in mourning Eric’s death and remembering the always smiling young man as a devoted father and husband. Hull, a 23-year-old cook in the Army Reserves, died Aug. 18 in Baghdad, Iraq, when the vehicle he was in hit a land mine while returning to camp from the airport. He was a member of the 307th Military Police Company, 519th Military Police Battalion.

A Uniontown native and 1998 graduate of Uniontown Area High School, Hull, his wife of five years and their two children – Mia Nicole, who turns 3 next month, and 1-year-old Dominic Michael – moved into their Menallen Township home over Memorial Day Weekend.

A few doors down on Old Route 51, the Uppermiddletown United Methodist Church was filled beyond capacity with family and friends who paid respects their last respects to Hull and gave hugs of condolence to his wife, parents, Raymond and Debbie Hull and mother and father in-law, Anthony and Milica DeFabbo.

As they were taking their seats or finding places to stand along the walls and in the doorways, photos of a smiling Hull with his wife and children and other photos taken in Iraq were being displayed on a large screen TV as music played.

A recording of Hull reciting his wedding vows and a message from Iraq to his wife and children – saying he missed them and that he would be home soon – were also mixed into the presentation.

During the service, Maj. Gen. Karol A. Kennedy of the 99th Regional Support Command said she never met Hull, but considers all soldiers part of her family.

Kennedy said she pieced together a portrait of him by talking to family members and those who served with him.

She said he always smiled and was proudest of his children and wife. Hull even managed to make Army food taste good, she said.

Hull graduated from Westmoreland County Community College with a chef’s degree and worked at numerous local restaurants including Lardin House, Frabizi’s, Richey’s and Nemacolin Woodlands. He worked for Nutrition Inc., which provides food service for schools in Greene County prior to being called up to active duty late February or early March.

A 1998 graduate of Uniontown High School, he had joined the Reserves between his junior and senior years of high school.

Capt. Rick Horanic of the 99th announced that Hull had been promoted to sergeant and read orders that posthumously awarded him with the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

The Rev. Timothy McConville told a story about a young boy who learned in school one day that his father was a hero in the battle for Iwo Jima in World War II and that he helped raise an American flag on the island.

The boy ran home after school and asked his dad if he was a hero. His father said only the soldiers who didn’t come home were the heroes, McConville said.

“He was a true hero to everyone,” Missy Hull said.

She described Eric as sweet, funny, sensitive and always smiling.

“The last six years have been a dream come true for Eric and I. We lived a lifetime in that time,” Missy said. “He was the most beautiful person I ever met. I thank God I had six beautiful years with him.”

Darren McEldowney, who served with Hull in Baghdad and was with him when their vehicle hit the mine, said there was an instant connection when he first met Hull in Iraq

“It was like we were the same person,” McEldowney said.

Even though he is 10 years older than Hull, he said learned a great deal about life from his younger friend.

McEldowney said learned about the importance of family by watching Hull when he talked to his wife and kids on the phone.

“I will miss him. I want to hug him and say, Eric, I love you,” McEldowney said with a voice barely discernible as he wept.

After the church service, Hull was laid to rest at the LaFayette Memorial Park in Brier Hill with full military honors accorded by the 99th Regional Support Command from Pittsburgh.