thedrifter
10-18-08, 09:32 AM
Comrades memorialize fallen soldier
Base building dedicated in honor of West Branch grad Lance Cpl. Daniel McVicker
By KEVIN HOWELL, Salem News staff writer
POSTED: October 17, 2008
Cherry Point Marine Base in Havelock, N.C., where Lance Cpl. Daniel McVicker was stationed, memorialized the fallen soldier with the dedication of a base building in his honor during a 40-minute ceremony on Oct. 10.
The 20-year-old McVicker, a 2003 graduate of West Branch High School, was killed while driving security detail near Al Quaim, Iraq, in 2005. Today is the third anniversary of his full military burial at Highland Memorial Cemetery in Sebring.
Base officials dedicated its fuel pump house to McVicker, a former fuel specialist.
"The fuel pump house is the heart beat of the station, providing fuel to all the aircraft and on the ground," said Staff Sgt. Reina Barnett, the base reporter. "The Marines of his unit felt it an appropriate tribute to what Lance Cpl. McVicker meant to everybody."
And the correlation was not lost on McVicker's family.
"The Marines called the pump house building #4803 the heart of Cherry Point; without it the Air Station would cease operation, and they could not have made a better building to honor our son," said McVicker's father, Mark. "At Cherry Point, as in our lives, he made a huge difference."
Those who served with him described a Marine dedicated to his job and dedicated to his fellow Marines.
"He was a very caring, personable and genuine kind of guy," said Cpl. Russ Woodlard. "He was always an optimist. He always saw a silver lining."
According to McVicker's step-mother Irma McVicker, the Marine Corps continues to ensure that McVicker is not forgotten.
"Every parent that has lost a child has a heart-wrenching fear that they will be forgotten. The Marine Corps has afforded us a way to ensure that will not happen to Danny at Cherry Point, not only with the building dedication, but with the many memories that continue to be shared by those who knew him," she said. "Although we were there to honor Danny, we ourselves were honored to be with so many that have served at Danny's side."
In addition to the Cherry Point dedication, state Sen. John Boccieri supported in April a bill that designated a portion of U.S. Route 62 in Alliance as the "Lance Cpl. Daniel McVicker Memorial Highway."
"It's nice that our fallen heroes are remembered like this; it means a lot to the families of all the fallen service men" said McVicker's mother Carey Meissner in reference to the tributes. "The ceremony was done perfectly, too. I think Danny would have been proud to see what he meant to so many people."
And although the ceremony was a tremendous tribute that touched both family and friends, it was a bittersweet moment for some.
"The last time we were there as a family, we were with Danny," said McVicker's sister, Mollie. "But although it was sad, it was so nice to hear so many good memories and new stories about him."
Despite McVicker's death in 2005, Irma said his spirit is evident throughout the lives of everyone he touched.
"God has shown us over and over again that Danny is never far away," she said. "He has given us hope each and every day."
Kevin Howell can be reached at khowell@salemnews.net
Ellie
Base building dedicated in honor of West Branch grad Lance Cpl. Daniel McVicker
By KEVIN HOWELL, Salem News staff writer
POSTED: October 17, 2008
Cherry Point Marine Base in Havelock, N.C., where Lance Cpl. Daniel McVicker was stationed, memorialized the fallen soldier with the dedication of a base building in his honor during a 40-minute ceremony on Oct. 10.
The 20-year-old McVicker, a 2003 graduate of West Branch High School, was killed while driving security detail near Al Quaim, Iraq, in 2005. Today is the third anniversary of his full military burial at Highland Memorial Cemetery in Sebring.
Base officials dedicated its fuel pump house to McVicker, a former fuel specialist.
"The fuel pump house is the heart beat of the station, providing fuel to all the aircraft and on the ground," said Staff Sgt. Reina Barnett, the base reporter. "The Marines of his unit felt it an appropriate tribute to what Lance Cpl. McVicker meant to everybody."
And the correlation was not lost on McVicker's family.
"The Marines called the pump house building #4803 the heart of Cherry Point; without it the Air Station would cease operation, and they could not have made a better building to honor our son," said McVicker's father, Mark. "At Cherry Point, as in our lives, he made a huge difference."
Those who served with him described a Marine dedicated to his job and dedicated to his fellow Marines.
"He was a very caring, personable and genuine kind of guy," said Cpl. Russ Woodlard. "He was always an optimist. He always saw a silver lining."
According to McVicker's step-mother Irma McVicker, the Marine Corps continues to ensure that McVicker is not forgotten.
"Every parent that has lost a child has a heart-wrenching fear that they will be forgotten. The Marine Corps has afforded us a way to ensure that will not happen to Danny at Cherry Point, not only with the building dedication, but with the many memories that continue to be shared by those who knew him," she said. "Although we were there to honor Danny, we ourselves were honored to be with so many that have served at Danny's side."
In addition to the Cherry Point dedication, state Sen. John Boccieri supported in April a bill that designated a portion of U.S. Route 62 in Alliance as the "Lance Cpl. Daniel McVicker Memorial Highway."
"It's nice that our fallen heroes are remembered like this; it means a lot to the families of all the fallen service men" said McVicker's mother Carey Meissner in reference to the tributes. "The ceremony was done perfectly, too. I think Danny would have been proud to see what he meant to so many people."
And although the ceremony was a tremendous tribute that touched both family and friends, it was a bittersweet moment for some.
"The last time we were there as a family, we were with Danny," said McVicker's sister, Mollie. "But although it was sad, it was so nice to hear so many good memories and new stories about him."
Despite McVicker's death in 2005, Irma said his spirit is evident throughout the lives of everyone he touched.
"God has shown us over and over again that Danny is never far away," she said. "He has given us hope each and every day."
Kevin Howell can be reached at khowell@salemnews.net
Ellie