Pfc. Michael Marvin Carey,
Husband of Heather Carey,
Father of Mia Carey
Posted on 05/22/2004 2:50:10 PM PDT by Flora McDonald
Michael Marvin Carey spent almost half his 20 years in Amelia County. The young Marine lost his life Tuesday while examining an improvised-explosive-device in Iraq. Among those loved ones he left behind is a daughter, Mia Carey, born May 5 whom he never saw.
Pfc Carey was with the Marine's 1st Combat Engineer Battalion According to the Department of Defense, the unit was serving in the 1 Marine Expeditionary Force, 1st Marine Division, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Battalion in Iraq's Anbar province. The release said the Marine "died from nonhostile causes."
Pfc Carey's mother, Sandra Rhodes, of Amelia, said she was informed her son died around 12:45 p.m. Iraqi time (about 3:45 a.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time) Tuesday (May 18) as the combat engineer attempted to examine a suspected improvised-explosive-device (IED) situated on the bank of a canal. PFC Carey fell into the canal and he drowned. The weight of his body armor and other equipment pulled him under the water, Mrs. Rhodes said, although her son was a good swimmer. The steep, 80-foot bank prevented a quick response from the other soldiers.
Pfc Carey served in Iraq with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit during the original invasion of Iraq in January, 2003. His unit served mainly in the Nazara area near the Iranian border, 200 miles northeast of Baghdad, and was among the units participating in the rescue of Army Private Jessica Lynch, Mrs. Rhodes said. Pfc Carey took leave home in July of that year and rejoined Marine units in Iraq March 12, 2004. The young Marine did not talk very much about his time in Iraq, Mrs. Rhodes said.
Born Feb. 6, 1984 in Chesterfield County, the young Mr. Carey moved to Amelia with his mother and stepfather, Sandra and Robert Rhodes, in 1988. He attended Amelia County Public Schools from kindergarten until he moved back in with his father, William Carey, of Hopewell, in the eighth grade.
His mother and stepfather described their son as an "easy-going, quiet, big-hearted" young man who was well-liked and ready "to go out of his way to help someone." The young Mr. Carey played baseball and football on county recreation department and school teams.
(Excerpt) Read more at ameliamonitor.com ...
May you rest in God's arms Pfc. Carey and your family be comforted.
May he rest in peace and may his family find consolation in their grief.
died from nonhostile causes ??
An enemy device explodes - seriously injuring him (possibly fatally) throwing him into the river where he dies of drowning first.
How is this NOT hostile action since it was an ENEMY DEVICE?
Something missing, or some of the nasty rumors about how injuries are being classified seem to be true. It is only HOSTILE if an IRAQI is right there pulling the trigger?
Someone had best try to explain this!
I thought that was strange, also. I certainly would call it hostile when a suspected, improvised, IED explodes.
That's not what was written. Read the following very s-l-o-w-l-y:
Pfc Carey's mother, Sandra Rhodes, of Amelia, said she was informed her son died around 12:45 p.m. Iraqi time (about 3:45 a.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time) Tuesday (May 18) as the combat engineer attempted to examine a suspected improvised-explosive-device (IED) situated on the bank of a canal. PFC Carey fell into the canal and he drowned.
Now tell us how you can state that the IED detonated.
Someone had best try to explain this!
You need to explain how frequently you cut reading comprehension class in grade school.
To Mia Carey, know that your Father gave his life so that you and all of us could have a chance to live in peace and safety.To Heather, wife of Michael Carey, you shoulder a heavy burden, but not alone. Allow God to comfort and guide you. My deepest condolences to this family and to all those suffering souls who have lost loved ones. And no I haven't forgotten those brave soldiers who have suffered grievous injuries and struggle to regain some semblance of their former self. Though words cannot heal, we use them to express as best we can our heartfelt gratitude and thanks. May God comfort you and give you strength to continue forward.
Other than smart ass replies ...
Your remarks apply to me, too. I had assumed there was an explosion but as you point out, it does not specify that an one occurred.
That's quite the vacuum you've got sitting on your shoulders. Let's hope mommy and daddy didn't make the mistake of paying extra for your education.
That was beautifully written and from the heart. His baby is a little over 2 weeks old, God bless her.
Thans for posting this. I have been out of town (at my folks in NC) and am just catching up. They don't have (or want) a computer.
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