Stark woman in Marines dies in Iraq

[thedrifter]

Stark woman in Marines dies in Iraq

Circumstances are unclear

By Katie Byard
Beacon Journal staff writer

Published on Thursday, Oct 23, 2008

A 22-year-old Stark County woman serving in the Marines died Sunday in a noncombat-related incident in Iraq.

Stacy Ann Dryden, a lance corporal, died at the al-Asad air base, said Midge King, a family spokeswoman.

The military notified family members Sunday of Dryden's death at the base in western Iraq.

King, a cousin of Dryden's, said the family is ''not sure yet'' how Dryden died.

Dryden, who lived in Plain Township, had been in Iraq for less than two months, after enlisting in the Marines in 2007.

''She thought the Marines were the most challenging of all the services,'' King said. ''She always wanted to try new things.''

Dryden also ''wanted to make something of her adult life,'' King said.

After graduating from GlenOak High School in 2004, Dryden worked at a fast-food restaurant and a few other jobs.

''It just wasn't a challenge enough for her,'' King said.

King said family members ''supported her [decision to enlist] completely.''

Dryden was the daughter of Thea Dryden and Ronald Dryden.

Thea Dryden wrote on an online social networking Web site: ''R.I.P. my beautiful daughter, my fiery angel, my Marine. You are loved so much Annie. I know you are watching over your brother and I. God I love you!!''

Friends and family members dubbed Dryden ''Fiery Angel,'' King said, ''because she was so sweet looking and she was a sweet girl, unless you got on her bad side.''

Recalling Dryden's ''beautiful singing voice,'' King said Dryden sang for her unit in Iraq.

Fellow Marines were so impressed, they encouraged her to enter an upcoming talent contest, King said.

Dryden sang in the choir at GlenOak, where she also was a cheerleader.

Her brother, Jake, is a junior and football player at GlenOak.

A moment of silence in Dryden's honor will be observed before the GlenOak-Perry High School football game Friday night. The game will be at Bob Commings Field at GlenOak.

Katie Byard can be reached at 330-996-3781 or kbyard@thebeaconjournal.com.

Ellie

RIP

[thedrifter]

MILITARY: Camp Pendleton Marine dies in Iraq

By North County Times

A Camp Pendleton Marine has died in a noncombat incident at Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq's Anbar province, the Defense Department announced Thursday.

Lance Cpl. Stacy A. Dryden, 22, of North Canton, Ohio, died Sunday, the department said.

How Dryden was injured and when the accident took place were not immediately available.

Dryden was assigned to Camp Pendleton's 1st Supply Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group as a packaging specialist. The logistics group is a unit with the base's I Marine Expeditionary Force.

She was a 2004 graduate of GlenOak-Perry High School in Canton, where she was a member of the cheerleading squad and sang in the school choir.

Dryden joined the Marine Corps on March 27, 2007, Marine Corps spokesman Mike Alvarez said.

The Canton Repository newspaper quoted a cousin identified as Midge King as saying that after joining the Marine Corps, Dryden "found out it was the love of her life."

Dryden's personal awards included the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

"The I Marine Expeditionary Force mourns her loss," Alvarez said.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a statement in recognition of Dryden: “Lance Corporal Stacy Dryden was a brave Marine who dedicated her life to the preservation of our nation’s freedom. She loyally served her country with pride and honor and her sacrifice will not be forgotten."

Flags on state buildings in Sacramento will be flown at half-staff for a day in recognition of Dryden.

Ellie