thedrifter
04-26-07, 08:23 AM
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Van Wert man seriously wounded in Iraq
Marine seriously injured: VWHS grad Brian McGonagle injured when IED explodes in Fallujah, Iraq
Thursday, April 26, 2007
By JILL DEWERT
Times Bulletin Multimedia Editor
jdewert@timesbulletin.com
Lance Cpl. Brian McGonagle, a 2001 Van Wert High School graduate, was severely wounded in action on Tuesday while serving in Fallujah, Iraq. McGonagle, the son of Kevin and Linda McGonagle of Van Wert, serves as a combat engineer in the Marines.
His injuries have been described by Marine officials as serious, but not life-threatening. His parents were able to speak with him over the phone but haven't been able to speak to medical personnel regarding a long-term outlook. McGonagle's father said his son was coherent but was heavily sedated.
Kevin McGonagle said joining the military had been a dream of his son's for some time.
"Brian started asking us if we would let him join the military at age 17. I drug my feet some," he said.
Brian McGonagle didn't join the Marines at 17, but did make his dream come true when he enlisted in February of 2006. McGonagle was recently shipped overseas for the first time with the military and has been in Iraq for about three weeks.
"He loves the Marines. He would never say anything against them. He likes the military and is proud to be a Marine," said Kevin McGonagle.
Another recent event that occurred in Brian McGonagle's life was a wedding.
In February of this year, he married Ashley Miller of Celina, Ohio.
His father said as a combat engineer, McGonagle deals with explosives and building and tearing down structures. He is also a trained driver of Humvees.
McGonagle was on an undisclosed mission driving a Humvee in the Iraqi province of Al Anbar when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device, or IED. Three other Marines in the vehicle were also wounded. McGonagle sustained shrapnel wounds, two broken ankles, a broken arm and a laceration on his neck. His father said his son had to be stabilized in Fallujah before he could be flown to a U.S. military hospital in Germany. McGonagle will eventually be flown back to the United States to another military hospital where his parents and wife will be flown in to see him for the first time since he was shipped to Iraq.
Kevin McGonagle said a corporal in his son's unit had been killed earlier that same day in a separate incident involving an IED.
"The insurgents had been planning those things in the area," said Kevin McGonagle. "They got a number of our Marines yesterday."
McGonagle's parents said they are finding out more and more information as time passes, but the couple does not know a time and date when they will be able to see their son, or what will be involved in the recovery process. Many members of the community have been inquiring about McGonagle and his condition and reaching out to his family.
"We really do appreciate the love and support of everyone here," said Linda McGonagle.
Ellie
Van Wert man seriously wounded in Iraq
Marine seriously injured: VWHS grad Brian McGonagle injured when IED explodes in Fallujah, Iraq
Thursday, April 26, 2007
By JILL DEWERT
Times Bulletin Multimedia Editor
jdewert@timesbulletin.com
Lance Cpl. Brian McGonagle, a 2001 Van Wert High School graduate, was severely wounded in action on Tuesday while serving in Fallujah, Iraq. McGonagle, the son of Kevin and Linda McGonagle of Van Wert, serves as a combat engineer in the Marines.
His injuries have been described by Marine officials as serious, but not life-threatening. His parents were able to speak with him over the phone but haven't been able to speak to medical personnel regarding a long-term outlook. McGonagle's father said his son was coherent but was heavily sedated.
Kevin McGonagle said joining the military had been a dream of his son's for some time.
"Brian started asking us if we would let him join the military at age 17. I drug my feet some," he said.
Brian McGonagle didn't join the Marines at 17, but did make his dream come true when he enlisted in February of 2006. McGonagle was recently shipped overseas for the first time with the military and has been in Iraq for about three weeks.
"He loves the Marines. He would never say anything against them. He likes the military and is proud to be a Marine," said Kevin McGonagle.
Another recent event that occurred in Brian McGonagle's life was a wedding.
In February of this year, he married Ashley Miller of Celina, Ohio.
His father said as a combat engineer, McGonagle deals with explosives and building and tearing down structures. He is also a trained driver of Humvees.
McGonagle was on an undisclosed mission driving a Humvee in the Iraqi province of Al Anbar when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device, or IED. Three other Marines in the vehicle were also wounded. McGonagle sustained shrapnel wounds, two broken ankles, a broken arm and a laceration on his neck. His father said his son had to be stabilized in Fallujah before he could be flown to a U.S. military hospital in Germany. McGonagle will eventually be flown back to the United States to another military hospital where his parents and wife will be flown in to see him for the first time since he was shipped to Iraq.
Kevin McGonagle said a corporal in his son's unit had been killed earlier that same day in a separate incident involving an IED.
"The insurgents had been planning those things in the area," said Kevin McGonagle. "They got a number of our Marines yesterday."
McGonagle's parents said they are finding out more and more information as time passes, but the couple does not know a time and date when they will be able to see their son, or what will be involved in the recovery process. Many members of the community have been inquiring about McGonagle and his condition and reaching out to his family.
"We really do appreciate the love and support of everyone here," said Linda McGonagle.
Ellie