Port Henry soldier killed in Afghanistan

A local soldier has been killed in Aghanistan. Dain Venne, age 29, of Port Henry was killed along with two other U.S. soldiers by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan last week. His family was notified Saturday, Nov. 3. Venne was with the U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division headquartered at Fort Drum, but reported to the Canton-Oswego U.S. Army Reserve Training Center. He had completed one tour in Iraq and was serving one in Afghanistan. He is the son of Brian and Laura (Harris) Venne. Brian Venne is Moriah town justice and a former town trustee. Laura Venne is a teacher at Moriah Central School. "It's a sad day in the town of Moriah," Supervisor Tom Scozzafava said. "Our hearts go out to the Venne and Harris families. Dain was a true hero; one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He was repected by the entire community. It's a horrible, horrible tragedy. "It's a sad day for the entire community," he added. "When tragedy strikes Moriah comes togther and we will now. Moriah is a family." Scozzafava said all flags in the town and village of Port Henry will fly at half mast in honor of Venne. In 2011 Venne received the Firefighter Commendation Medal from the Port Henry Fire Department for his life saving actions while rescuing several stranded victims during Tropical Storm Lee. His father, Brian Venne, accepted the award on his behalf to a standing ovation since Venne was serving in Afghanistan. "He was an outstanding firefighter, a perfect gentleman," said Jim Hughes, Port Henry fire chief. "It's a reflection on his family how he carried himself, very respectful to his fellow firefighters. You couldn't ask for a better person, better son — an outstanding, overall good and decent human being. He took an interest youth, sports and education. He worked with kids and I was very impressed that he could reach out to a young mind and make an impression. He had an ability to teach and educate." Essex County Emergency Services Director Donald Jaquish, a Moriah resident, said Venne was an outstanding member of the community. "He got a medal for helping rescue a child during the flood last year," Jaquish said. "It's very sad. He was athletic and a very good boy." A 2001 Moriah Central School graduate, Venne was an oustanding student and athlete. He was named to the 2000 all-state football team as a running back and linebacker by the New York State Sports Writers Association. "He was a great, great kid — no, he was an outstanding man," said Bill Larrow, Moriah Central School superintendent. "He was a true leader, a model student and someone the entire community looked up to. "I really don't know what to say," he continued. "He was one of the very best. He believed in the military, he believed in his mission." Don Tesar, Moriah football coach, said Venne exemplified all the qualities he hopes to find in a player and student. "He was Moriah football," Tesar said. "He lived it his entire life. He practiced hard, played hard and demanded respect from opponents and teammates. He was a great football player and a great kid to be around. He made everyone and everything around him better. He was a real leader." Tesar said he and his coaches will discuss ways to honor Venne's memory. The Vikings play in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class D quarterfinals Saturday at 1 p.m. at Rensselaer in Schuylerville. "The kids all know him because his mother is a teacher at school and they know what he accomplished," Tesar said. "He's a role model for our players today."

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Port Henry soldier killed in Afghanistan

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