News 10 Now -- ALEXANDRIA BAY, N.Y. -- A road side bomb claims the life of a 10th Mountain Division soldier from the North Country. Jack Sweet, 19, was an Alexandria Bay native.

If you ask any teacher at the Alexandria Bay Central School District they'll tell you that Jack Sweet was determined to succeed in life, a life at the time that didn't include more schooling. However Sweet and his high school English teacher, Lorrie Guler, developed a bond through the military.

"You know, you tell the stories and I remember once I sat with Jack and the counselor and I was trying to get him to do his work, and I was like, 'Jack what do you want to do with your life?' And he says I'm going into the military. So that struck home with me because of my background, and at that point trying to play that tough love game, I said to Jack, 'I've been there in the military for over 20 years, I know what it takes to be in the military, a lot of times you have to be able to do things that you don't want to do,'" said Guler.

If you ask any teacher at the Alexandria Bay Central School District they'll tell you that Jack Sweet was determined to succeed in life, a life at the time that didn't include more schooling.

After that Guler says Sweet went for it and turned his life around. He obtained his GED and then enlisted in the Army.

But during Sweet's first deployment to Iraq with the 10th Mountain Divisions 1st Brigade Combat Team, tragedy struck. Sweet was killed by a roadside bomb.

Kevin Durr was his high school counselor. "Jack was always smiling, yeah he was always smiling. He was always the type of person who said thank you and shook my hand after I met with him and just a nice kid," said Durr.

Those who knew Sweet say he was full of life. Many say they'll never forget that grin that he seemed to always have.

Pfc. Sweet was an infantryman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team.

His awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Infantryman Badge. 

Surviving are his father, Glenn, and stepmother Penny Hawley, Alexandria Bay; his paternal grandparents, Jack and Margaret Sweet, Alexandria Bay; uncles, Guy Sweet, Clayton, and Greg Sweet, Theresa; aunts, Patsy Sweet, Alexandria Bay, Tracy Bartlett, Theresa, and Luanne Rowsam, Henderson; a stepbrother, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Hawley, Whitby Island, Wa.; and a half-sister, Kim Nagel, Conroe, Texas

Private Sweet’s casket is expected to arrive at 1 p.m. Thursday at Wheeler-Sack Airbase, Fort Drum. The procession is expected to arrive in Alexandria Bay around 2:00 pm via NYS Rte. 12 North. The public is encouraged to show their support by gathering along Route 12 near the village limits. 

Calling hours will be held 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Costello Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church in Alexandria Bay with the Reverend Helen Beck officiating. Burial will follow at Barnes Settlement Cemetery, town of Alexandria, with full military honors. 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Jefferson County Young Marines, the Alexandria Bay United Methodist Church, or the Alexandria Bay American Legion Post 904, Alexandria Bay

==Additional story==

Sir, tonight our hero tribute is in honor of Army PFC Jack T. Sweet.

Jack’s Dad said that his son had always wanted to join the military and had planned from an early age
for a career in the Army. As a kid, he was a member of the Jefferson County Young Marines for a while.
As Jack got older, he began to stray a bit from his goal. He got into some trouble; he wasn’t really
applying himself in school. A couple of his friends described him as a “wild kid”. His teachers and his
high school counselor never lost faith in him though. One of them, a 20 year veteran, sat Jack down and
had a talk. She said, “you know, sometimes being in the military means being able to do things that you
don’t want to do.”

After that, Jack began to draw more inspiration from his dream of military service. He said to his
counselor, “I’m going to move forward and get on with the rest of life.” Jack worked hard to earn his
General Equivalency Diploma and then set off for the Army. His friends, family and the school staff were
so proud of him. One friend said, “he pulled a total 180 with his life and was doing great.”

PFC Sweet took leave at home before Christmas and told everyone stories about his time in Iraq. His
Dad said he liked hearing about what his son was doing and was proud of all of his accomplishments.
Glenn Sweet said, "he loved what he was doing and he was so happy to finally get a chance to do his
part – that boy is my hero.”

Sir, tonight our hero tribute is in honor of Army PFC Jack T. Sweet.