thedrifter
10-15-05, 08:13 AM
Marines feel good about being home
Suicide bomber got too close: shrapnel 'just missed my lungs, thankfully'
BY BRENDA J. DONEGAN
The Marion Star
MARION - Seeing American soil for the first time in 10 months brought cheers and near pandemonium on the plane Marine Lance Cpl. Mark Von Kaenel flew from Iraq to Camp Lejeune, N.C.
"The pilot flew over the Statue of Liberty and said, 'Fellows, welcome back to the United States' and the plane went nuts," Von Kaenel said. "My first meal in North Carolina was at an Outback Steakhouse. That was much better than the MRE's we'd been eating."
Also arriving on American soil the same day was Marine Sgt. Chad Williams of near LaRue. Both Marines are members of the Akron-based branch of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines.
"It was a good feeling knowing we were back in the states and the major threat was over," Williams said.
Members of the Akron Weapons Company were one of five companies in the same area as the Lima Company out of Brook Park which lost 16 of its members in conflict, nine of those in the deadliest roadside bombing of U.S. troops in Iraq.
Williams, 29, said the Akron Weapons Company also suffered casualties. They had 15 members killed in action and 26 wounded in action, including Von Kaenel.
Von Kaenel, 24, received minor injuries when an attempted suicide bomber pulled into his assault platoon, he said.
"He wasn't successful in killing himself and us," Von Kaenel said. "I was shooting at him, trying to hit the tires on his vehicle, cause him to lose control, anything to disable his vehicle or kill him."
Von Kaenel was flown to Al Assad where he had fragments of shrapnel removed from his chest from the attempted suicide bombing.
"It just missed my lungs, thankfully," he said.
Von Kaenel said his unit flew into Akron the same day the Lima group flew
into Columbus. In Akron, the Kent State band was on hand to welcome them home as well as family and friends. The City of Akron is holding a big homecoming celebration for the company, complete with a parade, today.
Von Kaenel was a member of a mobile assault platoon of four vehicles. He said they guarded the main supply route, driving it regularly looking for land mines and suicide bombers. His unit also protected the dam on the Euphrates River, which provided the source of electricity for one-third of Iraq. He served in two areas at Haditha and Hit.
In their daily routine, Von Kaenel said they would follow up on any tips from intelligence and would raid any place listed, looking for insurgents and weapons.
"We just seized anything that was important," he said.
His unit's main job, Von Kaenel said, was training Iraqi forces for security.
"They did really well," he said. "I'd say 90 percent were happy we were in there. We began programs so they could become self-sufficient. Their lives are better for us being there."
Williams and Von Kaenel were in the same areas in Iraq but in different mobile assault platoons. Both Marines said the children made a lasting impression on them. The kids would come running to them or wave and put their hand to their mouth indicating they wanted something to eat.
"We passed out candy to all the Iraqi kids, " he said. "The Iraqis love their kids. That was a good sign, having the kids around. When the streets were empty, that's when you had to worry."
Von Kaenel, a 1999 graduate of Pleasant High School and 2003 graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in business administration, said he plans to relax the rest of the month, catch up with family and friends and then begin job hunting.
Williams, a 1994 graduate of Upper Sandusky High School, said he started his own business in Marion after boot camp. First Class Builders is being managed by his twin brother, Mike, while he is on assignment.
Williams will remain on orders until Jan. 1 and will remain in Akron. He said for the most part he will be giving speaking engagements and gathering toys for the Marines Annual Toys for Tots campaign.
Both Von Kaenel and Williams were recipients of care packages sent monthly by the Vietnam Era Veterans and Spouses Group which meets at the Moose Lodge in Marion the fourth Thursday of every month to box packages to send to troops.
"We plan to send them as long as there are military in Iraq," said Benny Morris, chairman of the group. The kindness and thoughtfulness of the local effort did not go unnoticed by the Marines.
"We passed out to all the guys whatever was in the boxes," Von Kaenel said. "It really means a lot to us to have that kind of support from home."
Brenda Donegan: 740-375-5150 or bdonegan@nncogannett.com
Ellie
Suicide bomber got too close: shrapnel 'just missed my lungs, thankfully'
BY BRENDA J. DONEGAN
The Marion Star
MARION - Seeing American soil for the first time in 10 months brought cheers and near pandemonium on the plane Marine Lance Cpl. Mark Von Kaenel flew from Iraq to Camp Lejeune, N.C.
"The pilot flew over the Statue of Liberty and said, 'Fellows, welcome back to the United States' and the plane went nuts," Von Kaenel said. "My first meal in North Carolina was at an Outback Steakhouse. That was much better than the MRE's we'd been eating."
Also arriving on American soil the same day was Marine Sgt. Chad Williams of near LaRue. Both Marines are members of the Akron-based branch of the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines.
"It was a good feeling knowing we were back in the states and the major threat was over," Williams said.
Members of the Akron Weapons Company were one of five companies in the same area as the Lima Company out of Brook Park which lost 16 of its members in conflict, nine of those in the deadliest roadside bombing of U.S. troops in Iraq.
Williams, 29, said the Akron Weapons Company also suffered casualties. They had 15 members killed in action and 26 wounded in action, including Von Kaenel.
Von Kaenel, 24, received minor injuries when an attempted suicide bomber pulled into his assault platoon, he said.
"He wasn't successful in killing himself and us," Von Kaenel said. "I was shooting at him, trying to hit the tires on his vehicle, cause him to lose control, anything to disable his vehicle or kill him."
Von Kaenel was flown to Al Assad where he had fragments of shrapnel removed from his chest from the attempted suicide bombing.
"It just missed my lungs, thankfully," he said.
Von Kaenel said his unit flew into Akron the same day the Lima group flew
into Columbus. In Akron, the Kent State band was on hand to welcome them home as well as family and friends. The City of Akron is holding a big homecoming celebration for the company, complete with a parade, today.
Von Kaenel was a member of a mobile assault platoon of four vehicles. He said they guarded the main supply route, driving it regularly looking for land mines and suicide bombers. His unit also protected the dam on the Euphrates River, which provided the source of electricity for one-third of Iraq. He served in two areas at Haditha and Hit.
In their daily routine, Von Kaenel said they would follow up on any tips from intelligence and would raid any place listed, looking for insurgents and weapons.
"We just seized anything that was important," he said.
His unit's main job, Von Kaenel said, was training Iraqi forces for security.
"They did really well," he said. "I'd say 90 percent were happy we were in there. We began programs so they could become self-sufficient. Their lives are better for us being there."
Williams and Von Kaenel were in the same areas in Iraq but in different mobile assault platoons. Both Marines said the children made a lasting impression on them. The kids would come running to them or wave and put their hand to their mouth indicating they wanted something to eat.
"We passed out candy to all the Iraqi kids, " he said. "The Iraqis love their kids. That was a good sign, having the kids around. When the streets were empty, that's when you had to worry."
Von Kaenel, a 1999 graduate of Pleasant High School and 2003 graduate of Bowling Green State University with a degree in business administration, said he plans to relax the rest of the month, catch up with family and friends and then begin job hunting.
Williams, a 1994 graduate of Upper Sandusky High School, said he started his own business in Marion after boot camp. First Class Builders is being managed by his twin brother, Mike, while he is on assignment.
Williams will remain on orders until Jan. 1 and will remain in Akron. He said for the most part he will be giving speaking engagements and gathering toys for the Marines Annual Toys for Tots campaign.
Both Von Kaenel and Williams were recipients of care packages sent monthly by the Vietnam Era Veterans and Spouses Group which meets at the Moose Lodge in Marion the fourth Thursday of every month to box packages to send to troops.
"We plan to send them as long as there are military in Iraq," said Benny Morris, chairman of the group. The kindness and thoughtfulness of the local effort did not go unnoticed by the Marines.
"We passed out to all the guys whatever was in the boxes," Von Kaenel said. "It really means a lot to us to have that kind of support from home."
Brenda Donegan: 740-375-5150 or bdonegan@nncogannett.com
Ellie