McConnell Family Loss

Collected EMails concerning The McConnell's Loss of their son, Sgt. Andrew McConnell

First Email:

Dear Proud to Be ’83,

It is my solemn duty to inform you that we have lost a classmates’ son supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.  Sgt. Andrew H. McConnell, 24, of Carlisle, Pa. son of COL and Mrs G. Scott McConnell ’83 died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with an improvised explosive device Sept. 14 in southern Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.  Killed with Andrew was 1st Lt. David T. Wright II, 26, of Moore, Okla.

His mortal remains were received at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Del., at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Scott, Kathy, Ashlee and Alecia during this difficult time.

I will keep you updated as information becomes available.

 

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom. A. Lincoln

Second Email:

Dear Proud to Be ’83,

Here are final coordinating instructions for tomorrow’s funeral:

Where:  Tuesday, September 22nd at 1:00pm – Kent Covenant Church in Kent, WA. The burial will be at Tahoma National Cemetery at 2:30 PM.

Dress:  Please wear red, white, and/or blue.  Andrew’s Family wants to celebrate his life and service to our country.

In lieu of flowers, Andrew had requested donations to the Wounded Warrior Project. (You may also call Edline-Yahn and Covington Funeral Home for information: 253-630-2736).

There is also a memorial fund to help Sarah and their unborn baby through this very difficult time. If you would like to contribute, you can stop by any Key Bank branch. If you do not live near a Key Bank, you can send a donation to:

Key Bank, 505 West Meeker Street, Kent, WA 98032

There is a very nice Blog set up by Andrew’s Church – http://blog.marshillchurch.org/

Pete

 

 Third Email:

 

Dear Proud to Be ’83,

I am forwarding a note received from Kathy McConnell with thanks and overseas address:

 

My name is Kathy McConnell and I am the wife of your classmate Scott McConnell.  I am writing on behalf of our entire family to thank the class of 1983 for the beautiful arrangement of flowers that was sent in honor of our fallen son, SGT Andrew H McConnell.  We were all most touched that Scott’s classmates would reach out to him and our entire family during this most difficult time.  While Andrew’s death is tragic, we honor his service and walked away from his funeral immensely proud at the number of people that Andrew touched in his very short life time.  He was only 24 years old but it was clear he made a difference in the lives of everyone he encountered.

 

Several people through trial and error have found us to reach out to us and have said that there is a wrong address circulating through the class.  We can be reached at the following address:  CMR 489 BOX 231, APO AE 09751.  Scott is currently the Chief of Plans for AFRICOM, located in Stuttgart, Germany.  Please feel free to pass along our most sincere appreciation for everyone’s love and support and you may provide them with the above listed address.

 

We ask for everyone’s continued support and prayers for Andrew’s wife Sarah and their unborn child.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kathy McConnell