Fallen Marine
Local boy made good, had it all, gave it all. One of 14 Americans to die in Afghanistan yesterday. Another 12 were injured. Boston Herald:
A standout local high school and college quarterback who took his game to the field of mortal combat as a Marine Corps attack helicopter pilot was killed in the service of his country yesterday.
Capt. Kyle VanDeGiesen, 29, a North Attleboro native, a husband and a father, was one of 14 Americans killed in two crashes involving three choppers in Afghanistan yesterday – the deadliest day for Americans there in four years.
“He fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a Marine helicopter pilot, protecting his family and serving his country,” VanDeGiesen’s family said in a statement.
VanDeGiesen and his wife, the former Megan Francis, 28, from Cotuit, have a young daughter, Avery, and were expecting the couple’s first son.
…
North Attleboro Town Administrator Mark Fisher recalled yesterday how VanDeGiesen, at age 14, brought flowers the first time he took Fisher’s daughter Katie on a date.
“He was a fantastic young man – just a gentleman beyond reproach. Dedicated, smart, handsome – he had it all,” said Fisher, one of VanDeGiesen’s football trainers at North Attleboro High.
“Shocking doesn’t even explain (the town’s reaction to his death),” Fisher said. “I guess it’s what makes young people mature and adults old.”
It’s been a long eight years of that, made easier by the inspiration of such fine people we’ve met along the way. There is nothing easy about what they do for you, except the love of doing it.
The Valour IT push is on, to give laptops to wounded servicemen, which may include some of the 12 wounded yesterday, now making their way back to Bethesda and Walter Reed. At the invitation of Cassandra at Villainous Company, whose Marine husband is forward deployed in Afghanistan, we’re with Team Marines this year. Pushing the Marines ahead is just the fun part of the drive. It all goes to everyone in all branches. Give as you can.
Blogger? Join Team Marines here.
Topics: Afghanistan, military
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 9:28 am Comments (3) on Tuesday, October 27, 2009
3 Responses to “Fallen Marine”
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October 27th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
[...] See Jules Crittenden for the rest of the story. Posted in Project Valour IT. Leave a Comment » [...]
October 27th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Donated and sent a reminder and link out.
October 27th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
[...] See Jules Crittenden for the rest of the story. [...]