To Zachary McBride's Family
We are so sorry for your loss
&
Know there are no words to ease the pain of Zachary
being taken from you.
Our hearts break for your loss extending our prayers for you,
Dear Father, Mother & Sister
Marshall and Laura McBride and sister, Sarah McBride
May God strengthen you in this sorrow beyond sorrows
&
Comfort your hearts where there is no solace.
May the Lord Himself bring you the Peace that passes all understanding
Knowing Zachary is with The Lord.
With prayers in Jesus Name.
We are humbled by the Service of Men & Women of Honor
&
Of Your Precious Son & Brother
"Zach" Who Gave All For Others
From America
Bend, Oregon
Your Released Statement Is Below
So Others May Read & Share Your Son's Courage in Life
&
Support You in Your Grief With Honor & Prayers
&
Pray For Our Country & Continue To Support Our Troops In Service
For Zachary
~~~~~~~
From News Channel 21
On Friday, the family released a longer statement as background information for those who want to know more about their son and brother.
Here it is, in its entirety:
Zachary McBride's life began in Manhattan, born 3 blocks from Central
Park. He spent his first four years in Brooklyn and the next 6 ½
years on Long Island, always delighting his parents with his unique
personality traits and insatiable curiosity. At 3, when introduced to
his new sister Sarah, he was intrigued with this new arrival,
seemingly made out of rubber, and asked Mom, "Can I twist her arm?"
Throughout his life he entertained his family with his sophisticated,
creative witty humor, especially surprise pranks played on his sister
whom he nicknamed "Shorty." At age 11 he moved with his family to
Whidbey Island. At 16 the family moved to Bend, Oregon where he went
to Mt. View High School.
Zack was blessed with a wonderful mind and could absorb large amounts
of information. By age 7 he was very familiar with United States
geography and could name all the states and capitals. He studied at
length the Funk & Wagnalls volume that contained a chart of military
ranks and insignias. He would read encyclopedia articles, getting
bedtime quizzes from Dad on what he had learned. He had a special
interest in geography, science, forensics and history; including the
Civil War. He studied many subjects on his own, remembering details.
He fell in love with the outdoors and animals, exploring nature. He
liked to climb and test the limits of his bravery. Throughout his
boyhood he was intrigued with weapons and played with BB guns and a
bow. He was skilled in working with his hands. He participated in
sports but was mostly interested in those activities in which he could
compete against himself, such as tae kwon do.
He was quiet and shy and solitary by nature. He never wanted to be
the center of attention. His friendships were limited in number, but
very close. He was comfortable behind the scenes, never taking center
stage. He had a willingness to help others. He had a good heart. He
was independently minded, purposefully focusing his attention on those
things that interested and intrigued him.
As a high school senior, he surprised his family and friends with his
determination to enlist in the Army instead of going to college,
despite his high academic scores that would have qualified him for
scholarships. His ASBEB test had qualified him to select almost any
military specialty. He purposefully selected infantry as his first
priority and received training in airborne, air assault and recon. He
deliberately placed himself with those soldiers who would be most
necessary to carry out combat missions. He was a serious soldier,
reliable, competent, intelligent. Recently while on leave he told his
Dad that the Iraqis in the Sunni area where he had been working were
friendly toward the U.S. soldiers and didn't want them to leave,
explaining that they would rather be policed by Americans than
Shiites. He was looking forward to voting in the next Presidential
election. He had expressed a desire to go to college and study
history and political science.
Zack's parents and sister are heartbroken over his death. As
Christians they take comfort in knowing that Zack accepted Christ as
his Savior as a young boy. They hold fast to the hope of being
reunited with him. His Dad wants others to know that in the midst of
his suffering he acknowledges the sovereignty of God, even though he would not personally have chosen this outcome. Their grief is deeply
personal and intense. Life without him right now is unimaginable. The
family greatly appreciates all the outpouring of love and support.
They are aware of the fact that they share their loss with all those
with whom Zack quietly served and all who knew him, including those
who only know him now in death. He died as he lived, serving others
in a cause bigger than himself in the best way he knew how. Even now
he would not want to be the center of attention, but to be remembered
for simply having served alongside others.
~ ~ ~
With Army Sgt. Zachary W. McBride on This Fateful Day
Also killed were Spc. Todd E. Davis, Staff Sgt. Jonathan K. Dozier, Staff Sgt. Sean M. Gaul, Sgt. 1st Class Matthew I. Pionk and Sgt. Christopher A. Sanders.
~ ~ ~
