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Fallen Warrior
Birth and Death are the two noblest expressions of bravery.
--Kahlil Gibran
These are the days you'll remember about being in a war - when a fellow soldier, leader, and friend meets death. LTC Michael McLaughlin was a force of nature. His dynamic personality and sense of humor were things no one could forget. Those who new him well called him "Colonel Mac," or just "Mac." There is a vast field of linguistics known only to people who are familiar with the military lifestyle. Its tomes are filled with quick comebacks, catchy phrases, acronyms, and rhetorical spoofs. LTC Mac knew them all, and could pull one out of a hat in any situation like a magician with a white rabbit. I once heard him say "Look, they might be the toothpaste, but I’m the one squeezing the tube, okay?"
Moments before he left this world, LTC Mac was smiling and conversing with local Iraqis who were applying to become members of the growing police force in the Al Anbar Province. This is exactly where he wanted to be, and where we would all expect him to be: leading from the front, and doing his personal best to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.
Soldiers, Marines, and civilian contractors who knew him came together in a large quiet room. LTC M, our Battalion Commander read a biolgraphy of his good friend LTC Mac, then said the following words:
Before closing, I want to tell Tammy and the girls how much we loved Mac, and how grateful we are as soldiers for you allowing Mac to influence and touch our lives. Mac loved you Tammy- and always will. He was deeply grateful for your support. Mac was the proudest dad in the world when talking about his daughter Ericha. He was so pleased by her intelligence, her strong personality, and her attending the University of Pittsburg. When he spoke of his daughter Erin, it seemed his heart visibly melted. He loved to recount stories of this sweet and fun-loving girl. Although I met Tammy and the girls only once at Camp Shelby, I felt like we were all the best of friends because Mac shared much of his personal life with me. I ache for Tammy and the girls, knowing that their lives will be hollow for a while without Mac’s smile and laughter and without his voice and hugs. I am grateful they will be reunited again someday.
This last year that we’ve known Mac will be a year that we, as soldiers, will never forget. We will cherish the experience of his friendship and the experience of serving beside him as fellow soldiers in combat for our great nation and the citizens of Iraq. Mac will not be forgotten. He will be remembered for his direct approach, his sharp wit and dazzling sense of humor, his superior warrior skills, and his noble sense of duty. Mac will be remembered for his unselfish devotion to the soldiers of 2nd BDE Combat Team and the citizens of Iraq as he aided in bringing peace and stability to a war-torn country. But most of all, he will be remembered for his absolute love of family.
Go in peace my warrior friend, and may our Savior embrace you with open arms and his unconditional love. Amen
Our Brigade Commander, COL G, said these:
We are here today to honor LTC Mike McLauglin. He is a man who served his country in the PA Army National Guard for many years. I never had the pleasure of meeting him until this deployment – and I have to say that knowing him was not only a pleasure but also a great honor.
Mike was a leader who led from the front. He was a leader who got into the thick of things and got his hands dirty. He was tough but compassionate and he was respected by everyone who came into contact with him from Specialists to Generals and from your average government center worker to the Governor and Sheiks.
When we got on the ground here Mike was appointed the Leader Engagement Officer and the Effects Coordinator. We didn’t even know what leader engagement was – but because of Mike’s personality and enthusiasm he seemed like the right guy for it. And he was. He became quick friends with many of the Sheiks and Government leaders in Ramadi. They all loved him.
When Mike was a Major all of the Sheiks fondly called him Major Mac and then when he was promoted the Sheiks all began to call him General Mac – and we would always kid him about that.
On January 5th when Mike died, he was doing what he did best and what he loved to do. He was out front making things happen. He was motivating young men of Al Anbar to serve their country, just like he was serving his country. When the Lord did choose to take Mike – Mike was doing what he was meant to do and he was enjoying the hell out of it.
At the end of the day I will remember Mike as a guy who saved the lives of many CF {Coalition Forces} Soldiers through his masterful leader engagement with the Sheiks and other leaders. It is less violent in Ramadi today because Mac knew how to plan for and use both bombs and words.
We will not let Mac’s death get us down rather we will be inspired by his life.
Mac was a great leader. Mac was a leader who led from the front. Mac was a true hero.
SGT Gibson, who worked directly for LTC Mac, said this:
I find it almost impossible to sum up briefly what kind of man LTC McLaughlin was. He was truly larger than life. To work for him, honestly, was an absolute pleasure. I was with “Colonel Mac” the majority of the time, where ever he went during the train-up at Shelby and even more so here in theater—I think I tried to be his shadow. As a small section I got to know this field grade officer better than a sergeant probably should. But that is how “Colonel Mac” operated, if someone had something to contribute to the good of the group he listened regardless of your place in the food-chain. Working in the TOC or heading down-range to the Government Center, we always came back with a story. Colonel Mac believed so intensely in the mission that we’ve been charged with here—he knew he had to be out there, on the tip of the spear. It was because of that tenacious attitude that our section was dubbed the IO Ninjas in the wake of numerous IEDs and even a fire fight down at the Government Center. I think he like having his own “club”, the Ninjas—that he headed. Colonel Mac was the truly the epicenter of my world here, he commanded respect and had a value in him that made me want to work harder, I was proud of him. I never in all my dealings with him, working as closely as I had, never did we have cross words. I know in my heart that he loved his boys, and was always quick with words of appreciation for the things that we had done. I could always gage how well I had done on a project that was submitted to him, if done well he would say, “Ok, I guess you can date my daughter now”, of course that was quickly followed up with, “No, I’m lying, but good job on this anyway”. He worried about SPC Brown, because he is young, and yet is always the most upbeat of us all, he would tell me, “I guess I’m going to have to move that young man into my living room when I get back home”. He was a protector that way. With Colonel Mac you always knew where you stood. On the day that he past, I’ll never forget how proud he was of the outcome of the Iraqi Police recruiting drive. For days it had been a success and he was beaming at the fact that he and his team aided in doing something that others said was impossible. He called that morning down to the billets, excited, like a child on Christmas. “You guys ready? I want to be down there, we can’t miss a thing—and I get to miss the BUB!” On the scene the Ninjas went to work, Colonel Mac immediately went to the front gate and said “This won’t do”. That was the start of it, because of LTC McLaughlin organizing the 400 plus Iraqi males there that day; we were able to get the processing underway. After the attack, true to form, Colonel Mac told David our interpreter—“Hey I’m fine, go check on my boys.” Even in the end, he was thinking of others. I thank the Good Lord that I was able to get to him during the evacuation, I talked to him and continued treating him and he held on all the way to C Med—long enough for me to tell him that SPC Brown and I were alright. He was the one man that was working harder than anyone else to bring freedom to the Iraqi people and he laid down his life in its pursuit. I and countless others are better soldiers and better people for knowing him, he will truly be missed. God speed sir.
LTC Mac, know that your memory will remain constant with us through this deployment and beyond, and that your work and your life were not in vain. All those times you came to me needing help with a computer problem or the phone we put in your room, we were glad to help you. I remember when you told some of my Sergeants, "Hey, I have acquired two big screen TVs through perfectly legitimate means. But they're both broken. If you guys can fix them, I'll give you one." The guys fixed them all, and you followed through. We still have that TV in the shop, and we watch news and sports on it almost every day. We also helped your guys set up satellite TV in your room. I heard LTC Miller saying we're going to keep that TV in a common area for all to use. "Mac would have wanted that," he said. And I agree. Thank you LTC Mac for being an example, and for the memories. I'm glad to have known you and served with you.
We will continue the mission you sacrificed your life for. May you be at peace, sir.
Thank you for sharing this glimpse of LTC McLaughlin, and the moving
tributes made about him. He sounds like someone I would have enjoyed
knowing. My heart goes out to his family, and to you and your brother
soldiers, who will miss him.
Dear Lieutenant K,
My heart is saddened to read of the loss of your friend--another of
America's best. God give you and your soldiers strength to bear the loss
and continue his legacy of honor. We love you all and keep you close in
our hearts and prayers.
I find it harder and harder to handle the loss of one of our troops. But, I
don't get angry with the President or the military. I don't get angry with
God. For a few seconds revenge is high on my list.
I am truly saddened by the loss of great leader, but more importantly, by
the loss of a great man.
To Mac's Boys - Just a word to let you know that I finally was able to read
what all had said in tribute to my husband, the love of my life. Please
know you are all in my thoughts and prayers and am looking forward to
seeing you upon your return. I know Mike loved each and everyone of you as
he talked about you all as his extended family. Be safe, take care, and
God be with you.
Ma'am,
I'd just like to say that I appreciate your comment, and I'm very happy to hear that you are able to read what others have said about him. I interacted with him a lot over the course of a year, and I had only the utmost respect. We all miss him a lot too.
Lt K - Thanks for writing back. I review your site daily. I hope you
continue to be safe and get home in June as anticipated. Take care, pass
on my love to all, and God be with you.
Lt. K,
On Saturday the 6th of May I had the honor of playing golf in a tournment put on by "OPERATION TROOP APPRECIATION". The tournment was held in honor of LTC MAC my son. While there I read some of the comments that had been down loaded from your website. Tammy gave me the address so that I could download these comments and send them on to the rest of Michael's family. Michael and I played golf at Oakview Golf Club in Slippery Rock, PA along with his younger brother Chris,Uncles Joe, Buddy, and Gene. This took place last May shortly before he left for Iraq. Therefore it was an honor to play there again in his memory. OTA is a great organiation that truly supports all the Troops who are defending our Country. Please tell all the Troops over there we think of them often and pray for their safe return.
I was with 222 FA for many years and still have friends in the unite. I
grive when ever I here bad news of the members, for I will alwas be with
them in my heart
Mac was a great guy and a good friend- the kind you don't forget and always
miss. I think of him often, and I still miss his wit and down to earth
way of life. The don't come any finer.