U.S. Marine From Thunderchild Killed In Iraq

Thursday, September 08, 2005 at 16:14

 

 

The Thunderchild First Nation is in mourning this week after learning one of its band members was killed in Iraq.

 

25-year-old Sergeant Robert McCoy of the U.S. Marine Corps died in an explosion early Wednesday morning, while protecting government officials at the United States embassy.

 

McCoy lived most of his life in Texas, but came back to visit the First Nation last year to see his great-grandfather — distinguished veteran George Horse.

 

Band councillor, Ira Horse, says the news of McCoy’s death shook his grandfather greatly, noting she had never before seen him cry.

 

Horse says the band learned of the news after McCoy’s mother, who lives in Calgary, was contacted by the U.S. military.

 

Sergeant McCoy is being laid to rest in Texas.