Megan was a friend of mine from the Naval Academy. She was a neat person and a great triathlete. I am sure she would appreciate your thoughts and prayers.
Posted by Kara | permalink
on 12/09 at 01:15 PMI met Megan McClung back in 2004 when we were both here in Baghdad in different civilian capacities.
She ran into a friend from the Naval Academy and we got to know each other as part of a group that socialized together. From lunches and dinners to running along the Tigris at nightfall, I look back on a lot of happy memories.
Through various twists and turns, we both came back here in 2006 in uniform. She came out of the reserves to active duty and I signed up after I got back from my civilian service.
She was a great friend, athlete and patriot. She loved the Marine Corps and the realm of public affairs.
I’ll miss her a lot. It won’t be the same without her.
RIP Megan
Jeremy
Posted by Jeremy | permalink
on 12/09 at 03:19 PMI am the secretary at the Public Affairs Office at MCAS Cherry Point. I met Megan in 2000 when she came to be the deputy director in our office. She and I became immediate friends and even after she left our office, we kept in touch not matter where she was.
I cannot describe the feeling when I came to work this past Thursday and the director took me in her office and told me about Megan… I couldn’t believe it, it took my breath away… I had just received an email from her on Monday, an email and a photo attached… the news had to be wrong, there was a mix-up with her name, something, anything, had to be wrong, not Megan… but it wasn’t. Megan was gone.
I finally came to my desk and the phone rang all day, phone calls from all over the United States. Every Marine that had worked in the office with us called to check on me, to offer condolences. We cried, we tried to comfort each other, and as we talked about Megan, many times we ended up laughing as we remembered something Megan had said or done. So many memories, so many laughing moments to share, though in the end, we had to realize Megan was gone.
Later that same day, the new Gy in our office spoke to me, almost timidly. He had his email open and he told me he had just received an email from another Marine that was in Iraq with Megan. She actually lived just next-door to where Megan lived over there. He asked if I wanted to read the email. I not only wanted to read the email, I asked if it would be ok if I emailed this Marine and talked with her about Megan. He forwarded me the email and I wrote her. I hadn’t expected a reply as quickly as I got one, but it was a warm and comforting email.
It seems even in the midst of war, Megan was, as I called her, a running-fool. She was dedicated to her running, rain or shine, freezing or scorching hot, Megan ran. I’m her mother’s age and I never could grasp the concept, but I admired her dedication. The email explained to me that Megan had help organize a run in Al Asad, continued her running and helped other’s train. Megan touched many lives.
I could go on and on about Megan. My heart is so full of sadness for her family and for all who knew her. Megan was a tremendous human being, a determined athlete, a wonderful friend, an outstanding Marine and credit to the MOS and the Marine Corps.
I love you Megan and I will remember always, Nancy
Posted by frompcolafl2 | permalink
on 12/09 at 05:17 PM
Thanks to her colleagues. I would reach around and link to my first post of the day, for purposes of comparison and contrast, but it would feel like a sacrilege.
Thank you for the sacrifice you have given to our country and way of life.
God Bless and Semper Fidelis
Hello,
I’m very sorry to hear about Megan. I’m a reporter with the OC Register and am hoping to get in contact with Megan’s friends and family for a story remembering her and her service to our country.
You can contact me at 949-454-7307 or
I met Megan in 1997 when we were both stationed at Camp Pendleton. During our time there, we developed both a professional, and a platonic personal relationship. After she moved from California, we would periodically contact each other and keep each other abreast of our live’s events.
I saw her last in Sept of 2005, shortly before she went back to California for pre-deployment training. She was excited about the prospect of serving in Iraq. Anyone who knew Megan knows that she was far from a shrinking violet, so while I was shocked that she was taken from us by an IED, I was not surprised. She was out doing what she did…leading Marines by example.
Goodbye, Megan. Your spirit and energy will be missed by those you’ve left behind.
Tim Rogers
Maj USMC
I meet Maj Megan McClung while in Fallujah Iraq this year. I could always remember seeing her smile whenever at DFAC 2 and Camp Fallujah. She’ll be missed. My prayers are with her friends and family.
Chris Arredondo
HM1 United States Navy
“1st Battalion, 1st Marines”
Naval Special Warfare Command
correction to previous entry.
I met Maj Megan McClung while in Fallujah Iraq this year. I could always remember seeing her smile whenever at DFAC 2 and Camp Fallujah. She’ll be missed. My prayers are with her friends and family.
Chris Arredondo
HM1 United States Navy
“1st Battalion, 1st Marinesâ€Â
Naval Special Warfare Command
I met Megan in 1998/99, when she was serving at MCAS Cherry Point in Havelock, NC and I was a reporter at the local newspaper there. In addition to her consummate professionalism and knowledge, she was also hilarious and fun to be around. I looked forward to doing stories about the base when she was working with me. Her recounting of a time she was pulled over by the cops and did a back flip to prove that she was sober had me in stitches.
I hadn’t seen her since I left NC, but her death comes as a complete and total shock. For the first time, I think the reality of Iraq has sunk in. I will not forget you, Megan.
I never met Maj. McClung, but I worked with her when I was in Iraq this summer –some of my reporters had been stranded out west, and she got them on another flight almost instantly. She was one of those rare people who could be funny and professional at the same time.
Lt. Corey Schultz, USN
CENTCOM Public Affairs
Condolences to the McClung family. My son, Capt. John J Mckenna IV, knew Megan in Cherry Point and also in Fallujah. He was killed by a sniper on August 16th. Two red-headed Marine officers are now guarding the streets of Heaven
Mr. and Mrs. McClung and Michael, I am so sorry to hear about Megan. I was friends with her in high school. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
I met and worked with Megan in Iraq on a Fallujah Women’s Center project. I’ll never forget her can-do spirit and that red hair! I can say she definitely helped us figure out how to get out the good story about efforts to help Iraqi women and children. When I was informed about her death, I was stopped cold in my tracks.
I know her spirit will be missed. Both the world and the Marine Corps are a little more diminished as a result of her ultimate sacrifice.
I’ve attended more than a few funerals at Arlington National Cemetery and managed to remain dignified and tearless. I suspect this time I won’t be able to stop the tears from flowing.
Megan, none of us get to survive this world. You made your exit in a most honorable fashion – serving your Nation as a United States Marine. Rest in peace and Ooh Rah!
Megan was my Captain when we worked together at Cherry Point from 2000-2002. As a 1stLt, I looked to her to show me what being a Captain and Public Affairs Officer werew all about. She did all that, and then some. Her friendship and comraderie are dear to me to this day. I miss her greatly and hope the grief her friends and family feel right now will be tempered by the wonderful memories of all the good she did and all the lives she touched. Megan’s running with the angels now.
Capt Don Caetano
Hi – I’m the editor & publisher of The Coupeville Examiner, the weekly newspaper in Megan’s hometown of Couoeville, Wash. I am hoping to gather some anecdotes and photos for a story. Our deadline to collect information is noon on Wednesday, Dec. 12. Anything that folks who knew her would like to share is welcome. Letters to the editor in her remembrance are welcome, as well. Thanks.
Mr. and Mrs. McClung I am sorry for your loss. I met Megan in Virginia Beach in the summer of 2005. She was the strongest person mentally and physically I have ever known. She helped me train for BUDS. She would wake up at 0330 with me and run me into the ground for mile upon mile. We also trained in the ocean for open water swimming. Your daughter was amazing!! I am deeply saddened by her loss and will not be the same knowing she is gone. I cherish the small amount of time I got to share in Megan’s life. I will miss you Megan!!!
Joe Knipp
USNA ‘02
Megan was visiting DINFOS and came out on a mock PFT with the enlisted guys. At the start of the three mile run, she took off like a shot. All of the rabbits, including myself, laughed and sprinted after her. Four of us threw up trying to catch her; no one did. She kept running and smiling. That is how i will remember her.
As a retired Navy public affairs specialist (E-6), I know what PAO’s go through. We may not be out there fighting and dying, but it’s still a long (and sometimes thankless) job ferrying VIP’s and media types around all day. It sounds like she did her job well, and enjoyed it, to boot. She will be missed, I’m sure.
I just heard the news on my car radio and had to pull over. I remember Megan from when she was a plebe at the US Naval Academy. She was a good and close friend. I will miss her.
I remember Major McClung from my time in Al Fallujah with the IMEF/NINTH NCR. She was a class act and very well respected. I distinctly remember the 5K that was held on the Fourth of July. She gave a brief talk at the end of it about the Marine Corps Marathon that was going to be held in Iraq and simulcast with the marathon in DC. She always brought a smile to my face when I saw her because she reminded me of my own sister who has red hair and is also a dedicated runner. I was crushed when I learned today of her death.
My condolences to her family and fellow Marines, Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen still in Iraq–I know this loss has hit them all hard.
SEMPER FI Major McClung, you were one of the best.
Raymond S. Alley
CPO, US NAVY