Ontario County Welcomes Home Fallen Air Force Staff Sgt.

A memorial is displayed at a service honoring U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kory Wade at the 48th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., June 23, 2023. Wade was from Shortsville, New York, and entered active-duty service Nov. 18, 2008. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Ross)

Friends and family members waved American flags Wednesday night as a local veteran returned home for the last time.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Kory Wade, a 2008 graduate of Red Jacket High School, grew up in the Manchester-Shortsville area. He died in a training mission while on a jet ski retrieving paratroopers.

Wade was escorted back to Ontario County by veterans, first responders, and the Patriot Guard.  Prior to his arrival home, a memorial service was held in Arizona.

Friends and family will remember him at a gathering on July 5th at the Red Jacket High School auditorium.

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