Michael A. Uvanni
Profile
Age: 27
From: Rome, N.Y.
Assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, New York Army National Guard, Morrisonville, N.Y.
Incident: Army Sgt. Michael A. Uvanni was killed Oct. 1 by a sniper as he was conducting combat operations in Samarra, Iraq.
Died: October 01, 2004
Rome native becomes war casualty
Associated Press
ROME, N.Y. — El Chico’s Restaurant advertised itself as a place to go to escape war news. Now the restaurant has become a memorial scene adorned in bouquets, cards, candles and an American flag.
Sgt. Michael A. Uvanni, 27 — whose father helped operate El Chico’s — was killed Friday in Samarra, Iraq. He was conducting combat operations and was shot by a sniper, according to the Defense Department. Uvanni was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment based in Morrisonville.
A sign outside the Uvanni family restaurant Sunday read: “Out of respect to this American soldier, El Chico’s restaurant will be closed till further notice.”
Gary Uvanni, a cousin of the soldier, recalled him as “very outgoing, proud to serve his country.” He said the young man will be “very sorely missed. I will miss his smile. My heart goes out to his...