thedrifter
10-21-06, 07:24 AM
PROUD MARINE KILLED DOING JOB HE LOVED
Oct 21 2006
By James Moncur
A SCOTS commando killed in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan died doing the job he loved, his family said last night.
Gary Wright, 22, spoke proudly of his life in the Marines just weeks before his death.
The former Rangers youth footballer, of Blanefield, Stirlingshire, signed off a message on website Friends Reunited saying: "Happy where I am."
Last night, his dad Ian, 50, said: "Gary was dedicated to the Royal Marines. He loved his work, and he loved theMarines."
The commanding officer of Gary's unit, Colonel Duncan Dewar, added: "Gary was an excellent Marine who died doing the job he loved. He will be missed by all his friends."
Gary perished after his patrol was attacked in lawless Helmand province. The bomber targeted his convoy in Lashkar Gah on Thursday morning, detonating explosives next to Gary's jeep.
Colleagues from his Arbroath-based 45 Commando unit battled to save him at the roadside.
Gary died a short while after being rushed to hospital.
A second Scots Marine seriously injured in the explosion - a sergeant from Dundee - was fighting for his life last night.
As well as Gary, the blast claimed the lives of two local kids.
Other than the short statement about his love of the Marines, Gary's parents, Ian, and Rosemary, 47, and sister Karen, 19, were too upset to talk last night.
But Col Dewar added: "Gary was an outstanding young Royal Marine whose determination and professionalism led to his selection as a member of our highly specialised Recce Troop.
"Extremely popular with a good sense of humour, he was very highly thought of by everyone who worked with him. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."
Gary, a former pupil of Bal fron High, joined the Marines in 2002. He was one of the youngest in the Recce Troop and had recently completed his parachute jumps course, wearing the wings on his uniform with pride.
Gary, who turned 22 just three weeks ago, previously served in Northern Ireland, Norway, Ghana, California and Senegal.
He was described by his bosses as being "extremely proud of his Scottish roots".
One said: "Wherever he was in the world, he received a copy of the Daily Record."
Villagers in the close-knit community of Blanefield are still trying to come to terms with his death. Gary's parents have lived there for more than 18 years.
When Gary returned home, he enjoyed spending time with pals in the local Blane Valley Inn.
One resident said: "Gary was really well liked. Everyone has been talking about him and there have been a lot of tears.
"He loved his job and the travelling. It is too soon for people here to come to terms with it. He was just a lovely boy."
A spokesman for Rangers FC said last night: "We are saddened to hear of Gary's tragic death. We shall be writing a letter of condolence to his parents."
His death brings the number of British fatalities in Afghanistan since the start of operations there in November 2001 to 41.
Brigadier Jerry Thomas, commander of the Helmand task force, said: "This has not deterred us from our mission, which is to support the legitimate government of Afghanistan in providing security and reconstruction for ordinary Afghans."
Ellie
Oct 21 2006
By James Moncur
A SCOTS commando killed in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan died doing the job he loved, his family said last night.
Gary Wright, 22, spoke proudly of his life in the Marines just weeks before his death.
The former Rangers youth footballer, of Blanefield, Stirlingshire, signed off a message on website Friends Reunited saying: "Happy where I am."
Last night, his dad Ian, 50, said: "Gary was dedicated to the Royal Marines. He loved his work, and he loved theMarines."
The commanding officer of Gary's unit, Colonel Duncan Dewar, added: "Gary was an excellent Marine who died doing the job he loved. He will be missed by all his friends."
Gary perished after his patrol was attacked in lawless Helmand province. The bomber targeted his convoy in Lashkar Gah on Thursday morning, detonating explosives next to Gary's jeep.
Colleagues from his Arbroath-based 45 Commando unit battled to save him at the roadside.
Gary died a short while after being rushed to hospital.
A second Scots Marine seriously injured in the explosion - a sergeant from Dundee - was fighting for his life last night.
As well as Gary, the blast claimed the lives of two local kids.
Other than the short statement about his love of the Marines, Gary's parents, Ian, and Rosemary, 47, and sister Karen, 19, were too upset to talk last night.
But Col Dewar added: "Gary was an outstanding young Royal Marine whose determination and professionalism led to his selection as a member of our highly specialised Recce Troop.
"Extremely popular with a good sense of humour, he was very highly thought of by everyone who worked with him. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."
Gary, a former pupil of Bal fron High, joined the Marines in 2002. He was one of the youngest in the Recce Troop and had recently completed his parachute jumps course, wearing the wings on his uniform with pride.
Gary, who turned 22 just three weeks ago, previously served in Northern Ireland, Norway, Ghana, California and Senegal.
He was described by his bosses as being "extremely proud of his Scottish roots".
One said: "Wherever he was in the world, he received a copy of the Daily Record."
Villagers in the close-knit community of Blanefield are still trying to come to terms with his death. Gary's parents have lived there for more than 18 years.
When Gary returned home, he enjoyed spending time with pals in the local Blane Valley Inn.
One resident said: "Gary was really well liked. Everyone has been talking about him and there have been a lot of tears.
"He loved his job and the travelling. It is too soon for people here to come to terms with it. He was just a lovely boy."
A spokesman for Rangers FC said last night: "We are saddened to hear of Gary's tragic death. We shall be writing a letter of condolence to his parents."
His death brings the number of British fatalities in Afghanistan since the start of operations there in November 2001 to 41.
Brigadier Jerry Thomas, commander of the Helmand task force, said: "This has not deterred us from our mission, which is to support the legitimate government of Afghanistan in providing security and reconstruction for ordinary Afghans."
Ellie