Local soldier dies in Iraq

[Rudy Taylor]

         A  soldier from Eureka whose wife and three children reside in Howard died Wednesday, Feb. 20, in Mosul, Iraq.
   The U.S. Defense Department said Staff Sgt. Bryant W. Mackey, 30, died of wounds suffered when a rocket-propelled grenade struck his vehicle.
   Mackey was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas.
   Mackey's wife, Marie, two sons, Ryan and Koby, and a daughter, Stephanie, all live in Howard. Full military rites will be held for the serviceman on Friday, Feb. 29, at 10 a.m. in the Countryside Funeral Home of Fredonia with a military burial service following at Grace Lawn Cemetery in Howard.
   He was a graduate of Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Kan. He enjoyed playing football in high school and also was a member of the wrestling team.
   On April 21, 1997, Bryant was united in marriage to Marie Stapp at the United Methodist Church in Hamilton. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Independence.
   Friends said he was always fun to be around and was a team-player who was dedicated to both his family and his country. They say he was well aware of the dangers of war but was proud to be a soldier.
   SSgt. Mackey joined the U.S. Army just before Sept. 11, 2001, and was on his second tour of duty in Iraq. The first time he was injured by gunfire, but his friends say that wasn't about to scare him away from serving his country.
   In his spare time he enjoyed watching football especially his two favorite teams, the Washington Redskins and the Kansas State University Wildcats, he also enjoyed fishing, listening to music and watching funny movies, but most of all he loved spending time with his children Ryan, Koby, and Stephanie and all of his family.
   Survivors, in addition to his wife and children, are his father, Vietnam veteran Carl Lynn and Pamela June Mackey of Fredonia; his mother, Karen and Ben Nelson of Eureka; five brothers, Carl Mackey of Wichita, Adam Stehm of Missouri, Travis Edwards of El Dorado, Justin Edwards of El Dorado and Jericho Cavely of Fredonia.
   Also surviving are four sisters: Monica Mackey of Fredonia, Lanesa Polten of Texas, Sherry Hurlburt of El Dorado, and Tiffany Edwards of Fredonia.
   Also surviving are his grandparents, Carl and Vera Mackey of Dodge City, his mother-in-law, LaDonna Stapp of Howard, his father-in-law, John and Debbie Parkins of Wichita.
   Arrangements are under the direction of Countryside Funeral Home, P.O. Box 247, 420 S. 20th St., Fredonia. Memorials are suggested to the Fredonia Library and may be left in care of the funeral home.

[Teresa]

The fireman are getting the firetrucks all washed and ready to have at the service to pay their respects to this serviceman and his family.
My heart and condolences go out them.  I never knew him or his family.. but I am proud of what he was doing for our country.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There is a rumor that the idiot and sicko Fred Phelps "might" be thinking of coming to protest at the funeral.
Apparently he doesn't like to come to the little towns as he doesn't have 'enough protection support'.
HA~~ You got that right Freddie ole' boy..
Show your nasty serpent head in this town at a soldiers funeral and it just might be the last time you'll want to protest anything like this again.  .
Country boy (and girl) rednecks don't cotton to sickos that do the things that you do.. and I don't imagine our police force will be looking your way if you need "protective help"..
Best stay away Mr Phelps......

[giester2]

There is a rumor that the idiot and sicko Fred Phelps "might" be thinking of coming to protest at the funeral.
Apparently he doesn't like to come to the little towns as he doesn't have 'enough protection support'.
HA~~ You got that right Freddie ole' boy..
Show your nasty serpent head in this town at a soldiers funeral and it just might be the last time you'll want to protest anything like this again.  .
Country boy (and girl) rednecks don't cotton to sickos that do the things that you do.. and I don't imagine our police force will be looking your way if you need "protective help"..
Best stay away Mr Phelps......

take a look at the pic to see  what  Houston does to protect our vets

with the family's permission, of course

the bikes escort the soldier from the airport to his/her final destination. and makes sure no one disturbs the services

they are called the Patriot Guard.  they are all over the country

http://www.patriotguard.org/

and yes kansas does have their own patriot guard
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

my hearts and prayers are with the family of  Staff Sgt. Bryant W. Mackey

[Teresa]

Oh gosh.. that picture gave me goose bumps..
That is wonderful .. but how sad that we have to have escorts to keep the family's of our soldiers from being harassed.

[Rudy Taylor]

Information on the Patriot Guard can be found at the following site, along with some heart-touching tributes to Sgt. Mackey.


www.patriotguard.org/ALLForums/tabid/61/forumid/11/postid/793707/view/topic/tpage/2/Default.aspx

[Dignified Redneck]

If it's of any interest to all of you, the Patriot Guard was started by a member of the Mulvane American Legion. I'm quite sure someone has already contacted the family or the funeral home about being there.  I work with a member of the Patriot Guard and they are very consciencous about protecting the family of any veteran in the their time of grief.

[Teresa]

I just clicked on the link that you posted Rudy. I was crying after reading the first one.. but then I listened to the video..and  I don't believe I have cried that hard in a long time.

I can't even think of any words to say right now.. so I won't say anything.................................................

[Bonnie M.]

My heart goes out to the family of this young man.   There just could never be enough done to honor him for giving his life for his country, to keep us free.  As we know, "Freedom isn't free!"

God bless you all, who will be there to give your love and support to the family. 

[flo]

I have just visited the link of our fallen hero and the patriot guard.  Just one thing to say "GOD BLESS AMERICA AND GOD BLESS THOSE WHO SERVE, GIVE AND PROTECT.  And may we here at home NEVER FORGET THEIR SACRIFICE.

[MarineMom]

Amen!