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Corporal David Phillip
McCormick |
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On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, America was attacked by enemies of freedom. David put aside his studies to answer the call of his country to fight a war against terror and hatred. He joined the Army because he was firmly committed to the service of our nation and he wanted to safeguard our liberties. He was serving in his second tour of duty and had just returned to Iraq after spending time at home with his family in early April. While he was home he had applied and was accepted into the business school at Texas State University where he had hoped to attend next fall to study for a bachelor's degree in business and eventually obtain a masters degree in business administration. He also had dreams of continuing his service to his country by becoming a commissioned officer in the United States Coast Guard Reserve.
David was a hero, and like so many others, his life was
cut tragically short by forces of oppression, racism and
hatred.
Published in the Victoria Advocate on 5/3/2008. |
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May 01, 2008 - 9:10 a.m. A soldier from Bay City was killed near Baghdad, Iraq Monday, making him the first person from Matagorda County to be killed in the war. Family and friends gathered at his mother’s home to remember David McCormick, 26, and had nothing but great things to say about the Bay City High School graduate of 2000. Mayor Richard Knapik, Judge Nate McDonald, Sheriff James Mitchell, Sheriff-elect Gary Mathis as well as several teachers from the Bay City School district also went to the McCormick residence to show their support for the family. McCormick always had a strong interest in history and his country, his family noted. “He always had an overwhelming sense of integrity and honor,” said his older sister Kristy Davis. McCormick was the youngest of four children and had a very strong relationship with each of his siblings. Family and church were also very important to McCormick, said his mother June McCormick. “He was always very patriotic, loyal and Texas proud,” she said. “He really loved his family and religion was a huge part of his life.” David took pride in his heritage and even took it upon himself to introduce beef jerky to all of his friends overseas, his mother said. David and his brother, Will McCormick, both initially signed up for the military together in July of 2004 after seeing the country’s need for loyal soldiers after the attacks of 9/11. David served in Iraq for a year, before coming home for a year getting redeployed in October of 2007, his mother said. McCormick’s second tour deployed him from Fort Campbell, Ky., to Forward Operating Base Justice near Baghdad, where he served as an army specialist and worked as a cavalry scout. It was here that he trained Iraqi soldiers as peacemakers. McCormick had plans to attend Texas State University when he returned home and wanted to pursue a master’s degree in business administration. He also planned on becoming a member of the United States Coast Guard, said his brother. Will, who is a cadet with the ROTC in San Diego, served for two and a half years as a special agent with U.S. Army counter-terrorism. “David loved his country and loved learning,” June McCormick said. “He always kept himself around people with big minds and big ideas.” The McCormick family also said that David was always a loyal friend. “The thing that I remember most about David was that he took the time to be helpful to a freshman,” said Bryan Hairell, a freshman at Bay City High School when McCormick was a senior. “He was a good friend and a good person and I will miss him dearly.” Hairell is presently in the U.S Air Force and said that what happened to his friend is painful, and he plans to attend the funeral. The funeral services for David McCormick are pending. • John Braden is a reporter/photographer for the Matagorda Advocate. Contact him at 979-244-1330 or jbraden@vicad.com.
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From staff reports Bay City Tribune
Flags are flying at half-mast all around Bay City in honor of hero
Cpl. David Phillip McCormick, 26. |
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Leo William "Bill" McCormick, 52, of Bay City died Friday, Sept. 27, 1996 at Matagorda General Hospital.
He was born in San Marcos, Texas July 15, 1944 to parents Leo William, Sr. and Helen Christine Bennett McCormick. He taught school at McAllister Jr. High School for twenty years. He was a man who loved God and liked to share his love with others.
Services will be Sunday, Sept. 29, 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church with Dr. Michael Zimmerman, officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Van Vleck.
Pallbearers are Gary Steele, Howard Harper, Floyd Oliver, Bill Bullard, Woody Riedel, and John Keyes. Honorary Pallbearers are Frank Farmer, John Olsen, Van Moad, Bill Lowery, Buzzy Riis-due, Robert Staten, Nouhad Mamoun, Albert Munn, and E. J. Thormaehlen.
Service under the direction of Dick R. Elkins Bay City Funeral Home.
The Daily Tribune, September 29, 1996
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BAY
CITY - Cpl. David Phillip McCormick, 26, of Bay City,
passed away Monday, April 28, 2008, in Baghdad, Iraq
while proudly serving his country in the United States
Army. David was born in Bay City on April 10, 1982 to
parents, Leo William McCormick Jr. and Anna June Staten
McCormick. David grew up in Bay City and was a graduate
of Bay City High School's Class of 2000.
He is also survived by a brother, Leo William McCormick
III of San Diego; a sister and her husband, Kristy and
Kelly Davis and nephew, Adam of Houston; another sister
and her husband, Mary Ann and Danny Davis of Stafford;
and an uncle and aunt, Robert and Carol Staten of
Angleton.
Community
honors Bay City hero
Survivors are his wife, Anna June Staten
McCormick of Bay City; mother, Helen McCormick, Bay City; Sons: Leo
William "Will" McCormick III, Bay City and David Phillip McCormick,
Bay City; daughters, Kristy Kay and Mary Ann McCormick of Bay City;
brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert and Carol Staten of
Angleton.