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Wyoming soldier collapses, dies in AZ
WOOD TV ^ | Monday, 15 Dec 2008 | NA

Posted on 12/16/2008 4:14:43 AM PST by ET(end tyranny)

FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. (WOOD) - Pfc. Moneeka Mayo-Vandergeld, 29, of Wyoming, Mich., died Dec. 15 after collapsing while participating in a road march at Fort Huachuca in Arizona, according to base officials. She was qualifying for a German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

Emergency personnel responded Sunday morning to the scene near Sierra Vista and tended to Mayo-Vandergeld. She was taken to Sierra Vista Regional Health Center where she died later that morning.

24 Hour News 8 talked to the grandmother of Mayo-Vandergeld's two stepchildren. She said she learned Mayo-Vandergeld was kicked in the ribs and a rib punctured her heart during a combat training session prior to the road march. That injury may have contributed to Mayo-Vandergeld's death.

Base officials are not sure if an autopsy is planned, but it could be part of the investigation.

"On behalf of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training Battalion, we extend our sincere and cordial sympathy to the family of Pfc. Mayo. Our hearts and prayers are with them," said Lt. Col. Patrick Sullivan, commander of the UASTB.

Mayo-Vandergeld was assigned to Company A, Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training Battalion. This was her first active duty assignment, but she had prior service in the Reserve. She was on schedule to be deployed to Afghanistan in March.

She entered active duty on July 30. Her friend that 24 Hour News 8 spoke with said May-Vandergeld joined the military to help bring home a check after the company she and her husband owned, Expansion Mortgage, went out of business.

Mayo-Vandergeld leaves behind a husband, two biological children and two stepchildren.

A memorial service for Mayo-Vandergeld will take place at 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at Fort Huachuca's Main Post Chapel.


TOPICS: Local News; Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: forthuachuca; michigan
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For those in Michigan that may be interested.
1 posted on 12/16/2008 4:14:44 AM PST by ET(end tyranny)
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To: ET(end tyranny)
"Mayo-Vandergeld was kicked in the ribs"

Oopps.

2 posted on 12/16/2008 4:19:31 AM PST by Paladin2 (No, pundits strongly believe that the proper solution is more dilution.)
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To: ET(end tyranny)
She said she learned Mayo-Vandergeld was kicked in the ribs and a rib punctured her heart during a combat training session prior to the road march. That injury may have contributed to Mayo-Vandergeld's death.

Well there is a bit of info there that may be relevant. Not sure.

3 posted on 12/16/2008 4:20:48 AM PST by corkoman
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To: ET(end tyranny)
She said she learned Mayo-Vandergeld was kicked in the ribs and a rib punctured her heart during a combat training session prior to the road march. That injury may have contributed to Mayo-Vandergeld's death.

That has to be a very deliberate kick... hopefully they get the sob that did it and charge him with murder...

4 posted on 12/16/2008 4:24:03 AM PST by John123 (The US may be going down the drain, but everyone else will drown first...)
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To: ET(end tyranny)

A rib punctured her heart prior to the road march? I do not think so. One could only guess as to how grandma was uniquely privy to this information.


5 posted on 12/16/2008 4:27:18 AM PST by WildcatClan (AND THOSE DOESNT BRAIN JUST GO. ---- Cecile Noe)
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To: ET(end tyranny)

Who in the heck kicked her in the ribs?


6 posted on 12/16/2008 4:28:26 AM PST by beaversmom
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To: ET(end tyranny)

RIP.


7 posted on 12/16/2008 4:31:10 AM PST by fieldmarshaldj (~"This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps !"~~)
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To: beaversmom

Not the drill sergeant, I hope. :-\


8 posted on 12/16/2008 4:31:29 AM PST by fieldmarshaldj (~"This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps !"~~)
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To: WildcatClan

um ... yeah ....

THAT comment makes little medical sense.


9 posted on 12/16/2008 4:31:53 AM PST by Blueflag (Res ipsa loquitur)
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To: ET(end tyranny)

Big investigation coming...


10 posted on 12/16/2008 4:37:38 AM PST by 2nd Bn, 11th Mar (The "P" in Democrat stands for patriotism.)
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To: ET(end tyranny)
Pfc. Moneeka Mayo-Vandergeld, 29, of Wyoming, Mich., died Dec. 15 after collapsing while participating in a road march at Fort Huachuca in Arizona, according to base officials. She was qualifying for a German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

Huh? In the Arizona desert?

11 posted on 12/16/2008 4:41:01 AM PST by raybbr (It's going to get a lot worse now that the anchor babies are voting!)
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To: raybbr

NATO countries do a lot of cross-training in each other’s countries in order to get used to different climates...


12 posted on 12/16/2008 4:45:16 AM PST by sinsofsolarempirefan
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To: sinsofsolarempirefan

Yeah, but it says she’s from Wyoming.


13 posted on 12/16/2008 4:48:52 AM PST by raybbr (It's going to get a lot worse now that the anchor babies are voting!)
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To: sinsofsolarempirefan

Wyoming, Michigan that is.


14 posted on 12/16/2008 4:54:40 AM PST by raybbr (It's going to get a lot worse now that the anchor babies are voting!)
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To: raybbr

Wyoming Michigan is a suburb of Grand Rapids.


15 posted on 12/16/2008 4:58:22 AM PST by smithandwesson76subgun (full auto fun)
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To: WildcatClan
A rib punctured her heart prior to the road march? I do not think so.

Me neither. There's something VERY wrong, there. If she were truly kicked in the ribs and a rib punctured her heart, there is NO WAY that she should ever have been medically cleared for the march.

16 posted on 12/16/2008 5:05:05 AM PST by DustyMoment (FloriDUH - proud inventors of pregnant/hanging chads and judicide!!)
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To: smithandwesson76subgun
Wyoming Michigan is a suburb of Grand Rapids.

Okay. so why was she going for the "German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge?"

17 posted on 12/16/2008 5:11:23 AM PST by raybbr (It's going to get a lot worse now that the anchor babies are voting!)
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To: grellis

ping


18 posted on 12/16/2008 5:15:34 AM PST by magslinger (What is the fastest growing oppressed minority in America? Hoplophiles.)
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To: raybbr

I’ve been looking around trying to find more info.

http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/metro/271828.php

Link above talks about grief counseling for her unit and talks more about the badge she was trying to earn.

I’ve been trying to see if her family is still in the Wyoming, Michigan area and will try to remember to watch for any additional news.

The small local paper comes out today but, I’m not sure if her death was so recent it may not be in this week.


19 posted on 12/16/2008 5:15:57 AM PST by ET(end tyranny)
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To: DustyMoment
I'd guess she collapsed from heat exhaustion and someone in charge kicked her, to get her up and moving. 20 yrs in Leavenworth for being incredibly stupid.
20 posted on 12/16/2008 5:27:48 AM PST by east1234 (It's the borders stupid! My new enviromentalist inspired tagline: cut, kill, dig and drill)
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