Field Dedicated To Chris Raguso's Memory

Elwood boys soccer coach Lou Hanner speaks of Raguso’s legacy as a John Glenn player and war hero. Long Islander photo/Sophia Ricco

By Sophia Ricco
sricco@longislandergroup.com

Hero, father, teammate, and friend, Master Sergeant Christopher Raguso’s legacy of service and dedication to his country will live on at the John Glenn high school soccer fields.

Raguso, who was killed in a helicopter crash on the Iraq-Syria border in March, was a former member of the school’s soccer team. He was honored with a memorial ceremony on September 22 with family, friends, and players of past and present in attendance. The ceremony began with a procession by the Northport Pipe and Drum band and was filled with heartfelt speeches from soccer coach, Lou Hanner, Athletic Director David Shanahan, former teammate, Peter Finelli, his brother, Mark Raguso, and his father, John Raguso.

“You got to pay your respects to people who fight for your freedom and Chris was exactly that, he was a hero,” Dave Maryles, a friend of Raguso’s said. “He was just a great person, great father, and great friend and dearly missed.”

Organized by the John Glenn boys soccer team and Finelli, and funded through a GoFundMe appeal, the memorial saw an outpouring of support from the community. With an initial goal of $6,000, the appeal raised over $8,500, with excess proceeds donated to the Raguso family.

A flag pole was placed next to the scoreboard that waves flags for Raguso, as well as a monument below that reads, “These things we do that others may live.” A motto the Master Sergeant lived by during his time on earth.

“Chris began defending the turf right here behind you, this is where he went to battle for his first days,” Hanner said. “We feel honored and privileged to have his legacy last and live on this field forever.”

Following Raguso’s death, the soccer team met with the family and proposed ideas of how they could honor Raguso at the school. Once they decided he would be honored at his former turf, more of the soccer community got involved, including alumni.

It’s important “for my son, Casey, and my nephew, Luke, to be here to see what Chris is all about and to just watch how someone who has dedicated a life to service affects everyone around him - the community and the country,” Finelli said.

Master Sergeant Christopher Raguso

The ceremony followed a John Glenn boys varsity soccer game and was attended by soccer teams at the school.

“I think it’s very important for the young kids today to realize that there are a lot of people that sacrifice for them to allow us to come out and kick a ball around every day and play a game,” Hanner said. “Life’s much bigger than a game but when you’re a young kid you don’t realize what goes on. Everything that Chris did for us and did for his family and America.”

“I, myself am painfully reminded, like we all are, that freedom can come at an unbelievable price,” Raguso’s brother, Mark, said. “He was a great American, great patriot, father, husband, son, cousin, friend, and competitor,” Mark said. “But most of all, he was someone you could happily look up to when all was said and done. Now when we all need to look for inspiration, we don’t need to look far, cause he’s here on this field with us and with the John Glenn Knights forever.”

Raguso also served 13 years with the New York City Fire Department and was a volunteer firefighter in Commack.

“Chris’ legacy is that of an ultimate teammate,” Hanner said during his speech. “The torch he carried in the name of sacrifice and service will burn eternally in the hearts and minds of those that knew him.”