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Iraq Soldier Honored At Special Service

JAY NOLAN / The Tampa Tribune

State Rep. Peter Nehr, R-Tarpon Springs, shakes hands with Eric Sadlowski. Sadlowski, 21, is on two weeks' leave for the birth of his second child and first son, Troy Joseph.

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By NICOLA M. WHITE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 29, 2007

TARPON SPRINGS - When Christos Gianaros returned from the Vietnam War, the world was not a welcoming place.

So Sunday morning, Gianaros pulled out all the stops to make sure a local soldier on leave from Iraq felt loved and appreciated at a special service at North Lake Family Church.

On tap: prayer, song and words of thanks from two politicians for Eric Sadlowski of Palm Harbor.

'It's people like you that give us the freedoms that we enjoy. Thank you,' said State Rep. Peter Nehr, R-Tarpon Springs.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, sent a letter of support, which was read from the pulpit.

Sadlowski, 21, is on two weeks' leave for the birth of his second child and first son, Troy Joseph. His leave was supposed to coordinate with the baby's birth, but Troy arrived a week early. Sadlowski, who is stationed near Mosul and works as a signal support system specialist with the U.S. Army, learned about his son's birth via e-mail. He met him last week for the first time.

These kinds of sacrifices - being away from your family, missing milestones - are the things servicemen and women should be thanked for, Gianaros said.

'I just feel like we better honor our troops,' he said.

Sadlowski, who wore his Army fatigues to the service, seemed overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from fellow church members. But he said it felt good to know his wife, Leslie, 2-year-old daughter, Riley, and newborn son were being taken care of.

'It's hard, but you've got to feel comfort in that they're OK,' he said.

Reporter Nicola M. White can be reached at nwhite1@tampatrib.com or (813) 779-4613.

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