Post Office renames building after fallen soldier

ROME CITY, Ind. (WANE) - The Rome City Post Office is honoring fallen soldier Specialist Nicholas Scott Hartge by renaming its building after him.

Growing up in Rome City, Specialist Hartge played track, delivered newspapers and worked on cars. During his junior year of high school, Specialist Hartge decided to join the U.S. Army.

After boot camp, Hartge left for Germany and then Iraq. He served in the 3rd Platoon in Charlie Company in the First Infantry Division. Nicholas and his company were deployed to Iraq in August 2006, patrolling the streets of Adhamiyah,

In May 2007, his unit came under attack. The unit's Humvee struck a roadside bomb and Hartge was killed in action.

Congressman Marlin Stutzman authored legislation to remember him by renaming the Rome City Post Office in his honor. The building will now be called "Specialist Nicholas Scott Hartge Post Office Building". There was a ceremony Tuesday for the dedication.

"It may seem like a small thing in Washington, but it's actually a big thing," said Congressman Stutzman. "It's a meaningful thing."

Bernice Grant, Greater Indiana District Manager, was in attendance. She said this act of remembrance is for the community to never forget Specialist Hartge's ultimate sacrifice.

His family was at the ceremony and wanted this dedication to not only be for him, but for all the servicemen and women.

"This means so much to us and our family," said Lori Abbott, Specialist Hartge's mother. "To us, this represents all our soldiers and veterans."

Specialist Hartge had plans to join West Point.

He was awarded a Commendation Medal for outstanding achievement in the capture of Abu Hassan, a known maker of the type of improvised car bomb.