Community mourns loss of decorated paratrooper BY MICHAEL ACKER and VINCENT TODARO Staff Writers Steven R. Koch EAST BRUNSWICK - Spurred by seeing his brother narrowly avoid becoming a victim of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Steven R. Koch joined the Army out of a desire to fight terrorism and support his country. That he did for two years, being recognized for his courage and conduct with many awards in recognition of his service to his country as an Army corporal. On March 3, however, his service and his life were cut tragically short, when a vehicleborne improvised explosive device detonated in the Sabari district of Afghanistan. His father, William, said that Steven was killed in action after a militant attacked the building he was in, causing it to collapse. The family received the heartbreaking news later that night. A native of East Brunswick and an 82ndAirborne Division paratrooper, Koch leaves behind his wife, Amy, and 18- month-old daughter, Zoe, both of Spotswood.Also surviving are his parents, William and Christine, a brother,William, and sister, Lynne. "I can say we are just so, so proud of him," his mother, Christine, said. "He truly believed in what he was doing." "I want my son back. I think he's just needed more with God. I miss him terribly. He's my youngest baby and he's gone," she said. Steven grew up in North Brunswick and East Brunswick and attended grammar school at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Milltown. He later attended East Brunswick High School. William Koch said his son's interest in serving began after 9/11, when his brother, William, was working across the street from the twin towers as they were struck by two hijacked airplanes and collapsed. Steven was in school when he found out about the attacks. "Steven was at East Brunswick High School, and he was worried all day," his father said. Steven's brother emerged unscathed, but the danger posed to his brother and the catastrophic events of the day left a desire in Steven. Upon graduating high school, Steven worked a variety of jobs but was not happy, his mother said. He wanted to serve in the Army, and further, he wanted to fight the enemy. "He wanted to be infantry, not to go into computers," his mother said. Christine said she tried to talk him out of the idea, not because she didn't support his goal, but because she was concerned for his safety. One day he told her that he finally signed up, prompting her to call the recruiter to ask what Steven's chances were of serving in a combat zone. "My heart broke, but he wanted to go," she said. "He said he'd bleed on the flag to keep it red. He's a true soldier." Steven joined theArmy inMarch 2006, and went to basic training in Georgia, where he also completed advanced individual training and graduated from the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning in August. "He had become very patriotic and wanted to fight for his country and do work for his country," William Koch said. "He told us he was helping people there who could not defend themselves. His whole heart and soul was into it." He was deployed to Afghanistan in January 2007, and was scheduled to return home in April, William said. "He called when he could," William said. "At times it was 3 a.m. here. It wasn't a normal schedule. He talked about what he could." William said his son was right on the front line in southeast Afghanistan. "They went to reclaim their area and drive the Taliban out of Afghanistan or defeat them," he said. The last time the family spoke with him was on Feb. 29, three days before he died. "He is greatly missed by family and friends," Christine said. "There's been a great outpouring [of support] frompeople." Milltown Mayor Gloria Bradford said that all American flags in the borough have been at half-mast since news of Steven's death arrived. Steven's funeral was being held today at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, where Steven was very active, Bradford said. "The borough is very saddened to lose such a young person, but we can be thankful he was there to give his life to protect everyone," Bradford said. Milltown resident Thomas Olson said he knew Steven since he was a child attending Our Lady of Lourdes. Olson said that four of his own children graduated from the Catholic school, and he has one child currently enrolled there. "Steven's dad coached my son in basketball," Olson said. "His mom was always active in the school. Our school is like a family. It's a small school that is very close-knit. Steven never forgot about his family." Olson said that before Steven went to Afghanistan, he attended the school's open house in his uniform. "Of course we were glad to see him," Olson said. "He was a fine young man. He came down and toured the school, spoke to one of the classes." "He cared about his family, his school, his country," Olson added. "I always thought he'd grow into a fine young man and he did. He was very bright and intelligent. He was just a great kid. His whole family is great. It's a shame." Our Lady of Lourdes teacher Elizabeth Gleason said she saw members of the Koch family at the school's Friday Mass last week. Students, faculty and staff offered prayers to Steven and his family. "It was wonderful to see they were there," said Gleason, who had Steven as a student in 1995. "I was the fourth-grade teacher, but I taught him in fifth-grade religion," Gleason said. "He was a member of my first class that I taught here at Our Lady of Lourdes." "He was very good," Gleason added. "He always had a smile on his face. He was always very helpful." Steven will be buried with all his honors at Arlington National Ceremony. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge and Parachutist's Badge.