Todays walk was dedicated in honor of:
Army CPL Ryan Casey Mcghee, Age 21 of Fredericksburg, VA.
KIA May 13, 2009
COK McGhee was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga.
He was born in Pennsylvania, lived the majority of his life in Vermont. He was on his fourth tour of duty — his first three were in Afghanistan and his latest was in Iraq.
He was killed by small arms fire while conducting combat operations in Central Iraq, when his unit came in contact with enemy forces. The unit was conducting operations to rid Iraq of a weapons facilitator and suicide vest cell known to be operating in the area. McGhee was on his fourth deployment in support of the War on Terror with three previous deployments to Afghanistan.
After graduating from high school, McGhee enlisted in the U.S. Army from his hometown of Fredericksburg, Va., on August 1, 2006. He completed One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning Ga., as an infantryman. After graduating from the Basic Airborne Course there, he was assigned to the Ranger Indoctrination Program also at Fort Benning.
He graduated from the Ranger Indoctrination Program in February 2007 and was then assigned to Company B, 3rd Bn., 75th Ranger Regiment March 1, 2007. McGhee served as a Rifleman and Grenadier in Company B before serving as a Weapons Squad Team Leader with Company D.
His military education includes the Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Indoctrination Program, and the U.S. Army Ranger Course.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with V Device, Ranger Tab, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Combat Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Combat Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge and Parachutist Badge.
We had a great 5.25 Mile walk. We headed out early and got to see some of the sunrise as we headed up town to the War Memorial Park. As part of the Memorial Day Weekend we decided to read the names on the Memorial Walls before heading back. It was a beautiful morning. I want to thank everyone who honked, waved, and saluted in helping me honor this hero. We had 57 honks this morning. Thank You
Army CPL Ryan Casey Mcghee will not be forgotten !
