Posted on 08/23/2007 10:47:39 AM PDT by Froufrou
A 23-year-old Rockport soldier was among 14 killed Wednesday when their helicopter crashed in northern Iraq while on an overnight operation, according to the family's pastor.
Garrett Ian McLead's parents were notified Wednesday morning that their eldest son had died, said the Rev. Charles Fake of Rockport's First Baptist Church.
"They knew he was in a dangerous place," the pastor said. "Not too long ago, his friend got shot while standing next to him. But they still weren't prepared for that. Right now, we're just so shocked by it all."
Fake said McLead's parents, Patrick and Patricia McLead, and younger brother Mason didn't want to immediately talk publicly about the death.
McLead, a member of the Army's 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry based at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, enlisted in the military after graduating from Rockport-Fulton High School in 2002. He previously served one tour in Afghanistan and was on his first tour in Iraq.
He is the second service member from his graduating class to die in Iraq. The other is Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Holloway who died in January 2005.
"He was due to come home from Iraq," said Jim Remley, a family friend and vice president of the board for Aransas County Independent School District. "He really enjoyed what he was doing. He really felt it was right for him."
Remley described McLead as an outgoing, popular young man who loved to surf. In high school, McLead played tennis and was a member of several school clubs.
"He just had a great attitude," he said. "He was just a people person."
McLead enlisted in the Army and volunteered to go to Iraq because he felt it was his duty and believed in the cause, Remley said.
He last visited his parents in May, when he came home to surprise them and celebrate his 23rd birthday, according to Remley.
Although the military hadn't formally announced McLead's death Wednesday, word of his passing spread quickly in the small coastal community of Rockport, where flags flew at half-staff in front of City Hall.
The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter he was on was one of two flying north of Baghdad when it crashed. He was among four crew and nine other members of Task Force Lightning. The military said mechanical failure may have been to blame for the accident, according to the Associated Press.
Funeral arrangements for McLead are pending.
“I consider it no sacrifice to die for my country. In my mind, we came here to thank God that men like these have lived rather than to regret that they have died.”
General George S. Patton
Beautiful sentiment. Thank you, Hooligan.
Home of the Free because of the brave.
PRayers up for this hero’s family.
Thank you sweetie. I am trying to find the right words for a card. We don’t know them but have friends there and I want to do something.
Prayers up!
I used this once and I could never really find out who wrote it.
It is a nice verse.
__________________________________________________________
You can shed a tear that he is gone
or you can smile because he has lived
You can close your eyes and pray he’ll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all he’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see him
or you can be full of the love you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live for yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember and only that he’s gone
or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what he’d want: smile, open your eyes love and go on.
(Anon)
Amen.
ping
Please post your replies to Froufrou
Rest in Peace
Garrett Ian McLead
Froufrou, My prayers go up for all who now mourn the passing of Garrett.
Blessings,
trussell
If you want on/off my prayer ping list, please let me know. All requests happily honored.
RIP Sgt Garrett McLead
I join in prayer for the McClead family and all his loved ones.
prayers for peace and comfort.
Prayers sent.
Prayers of condolence and gratitude to all who love him.
That family lost two sons in Iraq.
The Hubbard family of Clovis has lost a second son to the war in Iraq, according to the Clovis Police Department.
Army Specialist Nathan Hubbard, 21, was killed while serving his country. The military has not yet released any details surrounding Hubbard’s death.
The Hubbard family received notification of his death Wednesday afternoon.
In 2004, Nathan's brother Lance Corporal Jared Hubbard and his childhood friend Jeremiah Baro were killed in action near Ramadi in November of 2004.
Both Nathan and a third brother, Jason Hubbard, joined the the Army in 2005 following Jared's death.
The Hubbard story breaks my heart! There is never enough gratitude to offer these heros.
I think I finally understand why they are so humble when I try to thank them. It’s because, like us, they are grateful for “good Americans.” Even the ones who don’t serve.
A female disabled vet was at my Beauticontrol rep. training. When we had lunch, she was sitting across from me and I grabbed her ticket and said, “please allow me. I’ve always wanted to thank a vet.” She was blown away. I nearly cry every time I thank a vet.
Thank you so much for doing that and for sharing your testimony, dear Froufrou!
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