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.
Oopps.
Well there is a bit of info there that may be relevant. Not sure.
That has to be a very deliberate kick... hopefully they get the sob that did it and charge him with murder...
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.
Who in the heck kicked her in the ribs?
RIP.
Not the drill sergeant, I hope. :-\
um ... yeah ....
THAT comment makes little medical sense.
Big investigation coming...
Huh? In the Arizona desert?
NATO countries do a lot of cross-training in each other’s countries in order to get used to different climates...
Yeah, but it says she’s from Wyoming.
Wyoming, Michigan that is.
Wyoming Michigan is a suburb of Grand Rapids.
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.
Okay. so why was she going for the "German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge?"
ping
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.
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