In Remembrance of Two Fallen Marines

Camp Lejeune Marines killed in Afghanistan June 28, 2004 Freedom ENC and wire reports

AMP LEJEUNE - Two Camp Lejeune Marines killed Thursday in Afghanistan were deployed almost two months ago on a mission to provide security and humanitarian aid, military officials Sunday.

The Department of Defense announced late Saturday that Pfc. Daniel B. McClenney, 19, of Shelbyville, Tenn. and Lance Cpl. Juston T. Thacker, 21, of Bluefield, W. Va. were the Lejeune troops killed by hostile fire near Bari Khout, Afghanistan. Both were assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, according to the DoD.

The 3/6 deployed in early May. As part of its mission the 900 Marines and sailors in the unit did everything from operate check points for traffic to security patrol to civilian and humanitarian assistance programs, said Gunnery Sgt. Marcus McAllister, spokesman for 2nd Marine Division.

McAllister said the Marine Corps won't be releasing details regarding where McClenney and Thacker were at the time of the attack or what they were doing because they don't want enemy forces to know any areas where troops might be vulnerable.

There was no information about whether a memorial service will be held for the two slain Marines at Camp Lejeune, McAllister said.

It will be 6 months this Christmas Eve since Daniel and Justin lost their lives in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. A lot of tears have been shed, many questions have been asked, much soul-searching has transpired, and 2 families from 2 different states have come to know, love, and respect each other. If I may I'd like to share, as Paul Harvey would say, "The rest of the story".

Daniel McClenney was born in November of 1984. I had the priviledge of meeting this fine young man when he was 5 years old after marrying into the family and becoming the uncle of his mother. As a toddler, Daniel had something special about him...that smile. It was not mischevious, not smirking, just the smile of a child who believed in himself and enjoyed people. I sort of envied Daniel because I knew one day he would have many girls vying for his attention.

The years passed and I regret that I didn't get to spend more time with this young man. I would see him at family get-togethers and occasionally bump into his mother, his sister and him at WalMart or someplace. Daniel's mother developed cancer in her middle 30's and fought a long battle against the odds to try and watch her children grow up. She died when Daniel was a freshman in high school. Daniel was very close to his mother but managed to get through high school and immediately enlisted in the Marines upon graduation. This had been his life-long wish. He left for Parris Island in 2003, a boy with a few extra pounds, a smile, and a heart of gold. He returned from boot camp a "lean, mean, fighting machine" but that smile and heart of gold was still in place.

In April of 2004, there was a get-together for Daniel before he deployed overseas to Afghanistan. In attendance were family, friends, and another young Tennessee Marine who was deploying also. One of his other uncles played in a small local blue-grass band and had invited the other members for a good old-fashioned pickin'. We had a great time with food, family, and music and a chance to recall old stories. Many of us asked Daniel was he worried about going. He just smiled and replied that no, he was really looking forward to it. That was the last time I saw him.

I've heard from a few Marines that deployed with Daniel and they told us of how Daniel was usually the one leading morning prayer and the impact that he had on them the short time he was overseas.

On the night of June 24, 2004, which was my 16th wedding anniversary, my daughters had fixed dinner for my wife and I. As we sat their eating, the phone rang. My wife's sister reported that Daniel was gone...shock, disbelief, wailing, and other emotions ran high. We piled into our vehicle and went to Daniel's grandmother's house who Daniel became close to after his mother passed on. The Marines had already been there. I made a quick call to our pastor who came over and we all sat around until day break crying and trying to console each other. We heard many stories of how Daniel had died: IED, ambushed patrol, returning from an OP/LP...but things weren't adding up quite right and I knew with OPSEC that it would be difficult to find out details.

The funeral was a tribute to the professionalism of the Marines and especially to Daniel. It was a closed-casket affair with all of the traditional military honors. The ride to from the chapel to the burial grounds was lined full of well-wishers; children, professionals, blue-collar workers, nurses, veterans, etc,...all waving flags, saluting, or holding their hand over their hearts. It was very difficult to drive with the tears flowing freely down my, as well as the other people's faces.

They say time heals all wounds. Over the past few months, Daniel's granparents have traveled and met the other Marine's family that was killed with Daniel. Corporal Justin Thacker was on his second tour of Afghanistan. We have come to know much about this fine young man also. I have emailed with his mother and his grandparents. In the recent Christmas parade, they had an exhibit in the parade honoring their son and Daniel just as Daniel's grandparents did like wise in ours. A bond has developed between the 2 families that is as strong as steel.

I stated in the beginning of this thread that there were many questions asked. In a speech given by Major General Eric Thomas Olsen, commander of the Combined Joint Task Force-76 at the Marine Birthday Ball in Afghanistan, he had this to say (as reported by the Shelbyville Times Gazette dated 11/24/04): "For this core value, I will share with you an inspirational story of a fallen Marine. Pfc. Daniel McClenney fought to his death in June of this year, while refusing to give up his radio or weapon despite being severely wounded and out of ammo. Pfc. McClenney's foot patrol was ambushed in the Konar Province. After Pfc. McClenney was hit in the abdomen by enemy small arms fire, he made a medevac radio call for others in his team. He fought off the enemy for more than an hour and a half, while maintaining constant radio communication with his observation posts. Pfc. McClenney died during the firefight and his commitment to the mission and his fellow Marines resulted in one seriously injured Marine being rescued, and prevented a much larger attack against Marines and Coalition Forces. Pfc. McClenney's determination and dedication to the mission and his fellow Marines is an example we should all seek to emulate."

Many of my questions have now been answered and I wish I could personally thank Maj. Gen. Olsen for that tribute. Recently, Camp LeJeune also paid tribute to their brave warriors and the 2 families that fate and destiny brought together reunited there. I'm approaching 50 years old now and I wonder: would I be able to be as brave and courageous as this young Marine from Tennessee? I can't answer that but I do have a special role model with a special smile to look up to. I miss you, Daniel!

I hope this is OK. Just got this email and decided to "post" it. It has some touching phots, but I guess they didn't copy.
Wiz

Subject: Fw: I can't break this one

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student,
pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has
a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to
be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and
roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and 155mm howizzitor. He is 10 or
15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working
or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.

He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field
strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can
recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and
use either one effectively if he must. He digs foxholes and latrines and can
apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop or
stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without
spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of
fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens
full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but
never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own
clothes, and fix his own hurts. If you're thirsty, he'll share his water
with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition
with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like
they were his hands. He can save your life - or take it, because that
is his job. He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the
pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering
and death then he should have in his short lifetime.

He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them.
He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat
and is unashamed. He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate
through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning
desire to 'square-away' those around him who haven't bothered to stand,
remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out,
far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying
the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the
American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration
with his blood. And now we even have woman over there in danger,
doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls

us to do so. As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot.. A short lull,
a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.......

Prayer wheel for our military... please don't break it. Please send this on after a short prayer.

Prayer Wheel

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen."

Prayer : When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer
for our ground troops in Afghanistan, sailors on ships, and airmen in the air,
and for those in Iraq. There is nothing attached.... This can be very powerful.......
Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Marine
or Airman, prayer is the very best one.

I can't break this one guys..sorry
This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in Iraq. Pass it on to everyone and pray.

Amen

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