Aviation unit names missions after Frankoski, Grassia
(NEWS10) -- A military aviation unit is working to ensure that two fallen New York Army National Guard members from the Capital Region are not forgotten. The Third Battalion, 142nd Aviation Regiment named two of their recent missions after Casey Frankoski and John Grassia.
The Frankoski mission went from Long Island to Mississippi. The Grassia mission went from Albany to Barbados.
A group of military veterans honored Frankoski and Grassia on Tuesday. Carry the Load, a charity that supports veterans and their families, marched through the Capital Region. The mothers of Frankoski and Grassia joined them. As they mourn the loss of their loved ones, the families said they are grateful for the support of each other and the community.
May 8 marked two months since the helicopter crash along the U.S.-Mexico border that killed Frankoski and Grassia. Christopher Luna, a border patrol agent, was also killed. Jacob Pratt, a National Guard service member from Rensselaer, suffered serious injuries and is still receiving medical care in Texas.
The cause is still under investigation. Law enforcement officials in Texas are looking into whether there was any criminal wrongdoing.