Posted on 03/21/2003 6:29:22 PM PST by TheRedSoxWinThePennant
Baltimore Marine Dies In Chopper Crash
Victim's Father Has Strong Words For Bush
BALTIMORE -- WBAL-TV 11 NEWS first broke the news that a Baltimore man is among a group of Marines killed in a helicopter crash inside Kuwait Thursday night.
He is identified as Marine Staff Sgt. Kendall Waters-Bey, 29, (pictured, right), of northeast Baltimore, WBAL-TV 11 NEWS reported. He is based out of Camp Pendleton in California and leaves behind a 10-year-old son who lives in Baltimore and four sisters.
"It's sad that this war is going on and that we have to lose so many people over nothing. I can't bring my brother back, but I really miss him," one of the victim's sisters said.
WBAL-TV 11 NEWS reporter Noel Tucker spoke with the Marine's father who lives in northeast Baltimore where family members and neighbors were seen sobbing in the streets, sharing their grief with the family. Friends in the area were seen walking the neighborhood sidewalks crying and hugging each other.
The family spoke with WBAL-TV 11 NEWS Friday afternoon and shared their strong feelings against the war.
As he held a picture of his son, Waters-Bey's father, Michael, (pictured, left), said: "I want President Bush to get a good look at this, really good look here. This is the only son I had, only son." He then walked away in tears, with his family behind him. Kenneth, the Marine's only son, was with the family.
A military spokesperson visited the family Friday morning to confirm that Waters-Bey had died in the crash. But the family had a feeling since Thursday night that he had died in the helicopter, Tucker reported.
Waters-Bey's wife saw television footage of the helicopter crash and recognized the identification numbers. The family came to the conclusion that their son, brother and husband was on helicopter.
And, before he left, Waters-Bey told his mother that he didn't think he would be coming home after his deployment, Tucker reported.
Waters-Bey moved to California with his wife but has been in constant contact with his son and the boy's mother, Tucker reported. Waters-Bey, who attended Northern High School in Baltimore, was last seen by his son, (pictured, right), a couple of months ago.
According to the family, Waters-Bey didn't talk much about the war, but he said it was just something he had to do.
"My brother was the type of person that was loving, caring, and outgoing ... [he was a] joking type of guy, having you laugh. ... It's a loss for us," Shernell Waters-Bey, the victim's sister, said.
A police officer visited the family to convey the condolences of Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley to the family. The mayor ordered all city flags to be flown at half-staff late Friday, Tucker reported.
And Gov. Bob Ehrlich issued a statement in response saying that Waters-Bey's death was "a heroic effort to make the world a safer place."
At around 6 p.m., the Marines spoke about the deaths of those who perished in the helicopter crash.
"To all those who have lost someone in this conflict, our hearts are with you. We are grateful to your sacrifice and the sacrifice your loved ones have made," Camp Pendleton Maj. Curtis Hill said.
The three other Marines who died in the CH-46E helicopter crash were identified as Maj. Jay Thomas Aubin, 36, of Waterville, Maine; Capt. Ryan Anthony Beaupre, 30, of Bloomington, Ill., and Cpl. Brian Matthew Kennedy, 25, of Houston, Texas.
That's pathetic.
What's that? He volunteered? Why, that makes him a hero in my book. FISHDO!
Your son knew what he was doing and seemed, at his young age, to be a better man than you.
What a horrible thing to say, Sir. I realize your son died, but there has never been a President so affected by people and people's lives---ESPECIALLY the military.
You have disgraced your son's memory, and your son. How shameful.
God Bless your son.
Unbelievable to blame Bush...His son willingly signed on to the US military. This man tarnishes the sacfifice his son made.
I am shocked and sombered to know how close I was to losing him, but if I had, I know I would have told those who are still out there that I am proud of them, and proud of our president who will do what it takes to ensure our children and our children's children may live without fear.
I'm sorry that not every parent of our troops believes that freedom is worth fighting for. These parents seem to be part of the group of citizens that think they are owed this freedom, without sacrifice.
My heart goes out to them on their loss. May they find comfort and peace. I salute their son's bravery and willingness to fight for our country, even if they don't.
Having lost a brother in another past war, I have some idea of the grief. My parents had no acrimony, no harsh words for anyone, only their grief. They were stoic and accepted.
It is sad to see parents dishonor the price paid by their son. We have to accept it.
Absolutely right. I've seen other families lash out in anger when they lost their Marines; I didn't blame them then, and I don't fault this Marine's family today. In time, they will come around. This family has just lost a son, so let's pray for them and give them some space so they can grieve...
Waters-Bey didn't talk much about the war, but he said it was just something he had to do.
In the light of this, I'm afraid that the family is actually dishonoring his memory.
Men across this great length of land tonight are dying in car accidents. Others are choking to death on chicken bones, or dropping dead from heart attacks, or from drug overdoses, or being murdered by street thugs.
This young Marine died as a Marine, on his way to fight a battle he had been superbly trained to fight. There is no dishonor in his death.
His father, in his grief, should be given space to grieve and even to say sharp things in his grief. It is the press that is acting dishonorably by exploiting that grief.
My prayers go out to the family and my heartfelt thanks to the Marine who gave all.
I honor him and thank him with all my heart for the supreme sacrifice of giving his life for our country and for freedom.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.