From Patterico:
In working on my post on the L.A. Times report on the Ramadi airstrike, I exchanged several e-mails with Maj. Megan McClung, a press officer in Ramadi. She was at all times very cooperative and friendly with me. She never once gave me the impression that she thought my inquiries were unimportant because they were coming from a mere blogger. I quoted her by name in the post:
Major Megan McClung, a Public Affairs Officer with the Marine Corps in Ramadi, said in an e-mail:
Thank you for your interest in setting the record straight on the events of Nov 13 -14. . . . There were no CF [Coalition Forces] air strikes that day.
Badger 6 now reports:
Right now I don’t even know how to feel. MAJ Megan McClung, USMC, Public Affairs Officer for the Ready First Combat Team was killed in downtown Ramadi yesterday.
. . . .
Yesterday she was out in town with a patrol trying to get the information to help shape our story when she was killed in an enemy attack.
Pat doesn’t know what to say. Perhaps you all have some ideas.
UPDATE: Megan McClung seems to have been a marathoner, profiled for her organizing a marathon in Iraq in this WaPo article.
If you Google Megan McClung on the web, you’ll find numerous pictures by and of, including one of a radiant young woman at the University Club of the U of Chicago, listed as an outstanding young lawyer (Megan Healy McClung). I’m not sure that she’s the same one.
Perhaps the best we can do is to gather all the info we can in one place, and allow people who’ve known or been touched by this wonderful young woman to remember her.
UPDATE x2:
I know that this is going to sound very paranoid, but the fact that she was doing research on the story makes me wonder whether this was a hit rather than a random slaying. Pat’s source doesn’t say anything about the attack on the patrol in which she was killed.
UPDATE x3: Don’t forget Bravo Romeo Delta’s Christmas in Darfur project. I imagine you could make a donation in Megan’s name.
Semper Fi, Marine.
Posted by Retired Marine | permalink
on 12/10 at 03:30 AM
I can’t say that I “knew†Maj McClung, but I saw her almost every day for six months at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, earlier this year. Usually, I saw her in the chow hall, or perhaps just walking to and from my or her offices, and sometimes running around the base. The only words I ever said to her were “good morning, Ma’am,†but because of her position as the Public Affairs Officer, I knew who she was. What a devastating loss to the USMC.
Her death is shocking but reminds us all of the randomness of death in Iraq. How thankful those of us are who have returned home alive. Like all Marines, we do what we are told, to the best of our ability … but how many more of our lives have to be lost for no good reason?
Posted by Just Some Marine | permalink
on 12/10 at 07:34 AM
To my little red headed hellraisin’ classmate… Tonite I break out my hommade (Iraqi) Tequila out here…and in honor of your courage and that big smile of yours, I take a shot. I know that’s what you would’ve wanted me to do. Miss you Chica! Semper Fi…’95 remebers
Posted by ‘95 Shipmate | permalink
on 12/10 at 02:21 PM
I got to Ramadi around mid Oct. Since then I have met many brave soldiers, marines, and sailors and even some airmen here at Camp Ramadi,and Blue Diamond. I first met Megan give or take about a month ago when she got to Ramadi and started hanging with us and sharing stories around our occasional fires at the pit. Her death comes as a real shock because we also lost two soldiers in that same truck. All three were over in our compound almost daily. All three were close friends to us here. They will be missed by us and forever carried on in our thoughts. I will miss Megan’s radiant personality and flaming red hair, Travis’ awesome stories of a lifetime of extrodinary events, and last but not at all least, my dear friend Vince. The gunner in the truck, the very truck they let me drive just about a week before..oh Vince, my freind, look over me as I finish my tour here, you will always be with me in some way… If you know Megan personally email me and maybe I can give you a more recent pic of her for you. good nite
Posted by rusty | permalink
on 12/10 at 03:52 PM
Thank you, Major McClung. And may you be avenged, swiftly and severely.
This appears to be a picture of her.
God bless her soul.
Fair winds and following seas, Marine. You have earned your rest in the Mansions of the Lord.
Semper Fi.
Man, this one hurts. That marathon was organized by her in remembrance of the fallen. Numerous press accounts speak of her energy, enthusiasm, professionalism and uncommon courtesy. Beautiful, strong, tough and humble. Take a minute to look at ahem’s picture and remember Major McClung, the best that America has to offer.
I’ve borrowed the following from one of Patterico’s commentators as it seemed appropriate:
Godspeed Megan.
A.E. Housman: To an Athlete Dying Young
The time you won your town the race
We chaired you through the market-place;
Man and boy stood cheering by,
And home we brought you shoulder-high.
To-day, the road all runners come,
Shoulder high-high we bring you home,
And set you at your threshold down,
Townsman of a stiller town.
Smart lad, to slip betimes away
From fields where glory does not stay
And early though the laurel grows
It whithers quicker than the rose.
Eyes the shady night has shut
Cannot see the record cut,
And silence sounds no worse than cheers
After earth has stopped the ears:
Now you will not swell the rout
of lads that wore their honours out,
Runners whom renown outran
And the name died before the man.
So set, before its echos fade,
The fleet foot on the sill of shade,
And hold to the low lintel up
The still-defended challenge-cup.
And round that early-laurelled head
Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead,
And find unwithered on its curls
The garland briefer than a girl’s.
–Cold comfort, I know.
Excellent choice, Dan. Now if I could jsut remember how to swallow…
I wouldn’t have thought of it had you not posted the Marine poem, BJ.
Dan:
Strange timing personally, I guess. One of my best friend’s nephew, a Marine Captain, took a sniper bullet just outside Bahgdad while training Iraqi troops. It took 24 hrs to find out that he’s OK and coming home to recuperate.
God bless all of those service men and woman who protect us.
My condolances to her friends & family.
TW: Uncommon courage was a common virtue.
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.
I 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
I 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
Semper Fi, Marine.
I can’t say that I “knew” Maj McClung, but I saw her almost every day for six months at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, earlier this year. Usually, I saw her in the chow hall, or perhaps just walking to and from my or her offices, and sometimes running around the base. The only words I ever said to her were “good morning, Ma’am,” but because of her position as the Public Affairs Officer, I knew who she was. What a devastating loss to the USMC.
Her death is shocking but reminds us all of the randomness of death in Iraq. How thankful those of us are who have returned home alive. Like all Marines, we do what we are told, to the best of our ability … but how many more of our lives have to be lost for no good reason?
To my little red headed hellraisin’ classmate… Tonite I break out my hommade (Iraqi) Tequila out here…and in honor of your courage and that big smile of yours, I take a shot. I know that’s what you would’ve wanted me to do. Miss you Chica! Semper Fi…’95 remebers
I got to Ramadi around mid Oct. Since then I have met many brave soldiers, marines, and sailors and even some airmen here at Camp Ramadi,and Blue Diamond. I first met Megan give or take about a month ago when she got to Ramadi and started hanging with us and sharing stories around our occasional fires at the pit. Her death comes as a real shock because we also lost two soldiers in that same truck. All three were over in our compound almost daily. All three were close friends to us here. They will be missed by us and forever carried on in our thoughts. I will miss Megan’s radiant personality and flaming red hair, Travis’ awesome stories of a lifetime of extrodinary events, and last but not at all least, my dear friend Vince. The gunner in the truck, the very truck they let me drive just about a week before..oh Vince, my freind, look over me as I finish my tour here, you will always be with me in some way… If you know Megan personally email me and maybe I can give you a more recent pic of her for you. good nite
rusty and the rest:
Those of us who sit in our warm houses, safe in suburbia, carving up a roast and some baked potatoes; those of us who know only what we read and what we are told by aquaintances and others who serve; we are, essentially, clueless as to the real day to day struggles that you all face or have faced in your tour(s). I say this not just to pump you up but to humble the rest of us.
Our grief is skin deep while yours penetrates to raw nerves. I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that all of you were willing to share memeories of Major McClung with us, that we may share, for a brief moment, the burden of your sorrow.
Rusty, I would be honored if you were to send a more current picture of the good Major to my E-Mail address. I have shared her story with many friends and would consider it an honor to share her with as many people as I can, to honor her memory, as well as Travis’ and Vince’s. Feel free to include any information about the other 2 killed in the IED, that we may honor them as well, in our own poor way.
God bless every one of you who serve and protect us, in harm’s way, that we may always be reminded that we live in the land of the free because of the brave.
RIP Megan,
I shared an office and worked closely with then Capt Megan Mason in the Marine and Family Services transition office. She was a pleasure to work with. Megan always had a positive attitude and loved the Marine Corps. I will miss her and so will the Corps.
Semper Fi
JKO
Retired SgtMaj USMC
Megan was the best PAO I had the opportunity to work with as OIC of SOTG. She was vibrant, funny, and a natural at the job. She was the 1st female to attend my high school alma matta, Admiral Farragut Academy, albeit long after I graduated. I was lucky enough to have her stop by our office before this deployment to see her one more time. God Bless You Megan!
Capt (made Maj while I was embedded) McClung and I jousted many times over her desk at the PAO Office in Camp Fallujah. She made fun of me for “policing up my area” (my trailer room) like a “Good Marine”. Her wit and humor, her sense of duty and humanity made it a pleasure to work with her.
She was a nice lady, a great Marine, and someone who never cut me any slack, took any of my shit, but always came through on my request. She was the prime mover in getting me embedded with Lima 3/5, and my resulting story. Today is a pretty shitty, sad day for me.
Maj. Megan McClung was my boss for a short time while we were in NC together. From her, though, I learned so much about inspiration, dedication and perspiration (she made me RUN!!!) I have been with a heavy heart since I heard about her death. My counterpart in media relations at Headquarters Marine Corps called me to tell me what had happened and I almost fell to my knees. My heart still weighs heavy each time I think about her, and I sometimes find myself just waiting for someone to tell me it’s not real. I was walking through a fast food restaurant today and a gentleman had the LA Times opened up to a story about the major. I almost started crying right there. But I held fast to my tears and kept going. I know she’s guarding us now, but I still can not really believe she is gone.
I knew Megan when she was a Mid at the Naval Academy. I worked in the Mid Store. She and I became fast friends all because we had the same first name. She was a good friend and fun to be around. She always had a smile on her face. Last time we spoke was quite a while ago. She was in Quantico and so proud to have become a Marine. Always her dream. She served our country with pride and was a light in a lot of poeples lives. She is someone I have never forgotten and never will. She will be missed. Semper Fi Megan! Peace be with you.
Semper Fi Marine
God Bless you and God keep you and your family.
A Paratroooper
A Marine Supporter:
I’ve never met this gal, but when I got the newspaper without notice, a girl died. She means so much to me and the boys at home including my friend Tom. I’ve regretted not been out with these Marines out there. I could have done more to save her or been with her all day.
It gives me a tears of sadness in my heart on Valentine’s Day just not to have god sent her back, and be with my dearest friends. Up till this day, it brings backs bad memories when the recruiters showed up at school on Military Day. I feel so sorry for them too.
Megan Mcclung was to me a hard-working Mom, and Mother Thresa to all those lives, and soon-to-be mother she was. Beautiful as I accurately described in my mind. She makes people far apart very easily from her comforting eyes.
By far the nicest and Decent then the people I’ve met. She rules all of us in our minds and in my minds. I’ve long not hear her voice ringing. These days, I feel a sense of responsiblity for the Marines and the Military
Not many people care because They’ve no interests in the military anymore because we lost the sense of pride sense the last All Marine battle on Iwo Jima. This is what people have to look to again to restore their blood. I thank Chesty Puller, John Basilione and countless legends by saving the Marines and this Country
Thank you very much for listening,
Semper Fi, Keep Attacking!!!!!
Very sorry
Mark Hernandez
Donna Collins
Ruth Harris
Ruth Robinson
Charles Scott
Kevin Davis
Michelle Jackson
Kimberly Evans
Helen Carter
Helen Allen
Thomas Taylor
Jason Rodriguez
Sarah Parker
Karen Jones
Barbara Anderson
Michael Wilson
Betty Campbell
Susan Jones
Thomas Jackson
Ruth King
Joseph Hill
Richard King
Very sorry