So Much Life Ahead of Him
As we salute our brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces this weekend, we’re reminded that over 2 million current service members are stationed at military bases throughout the US and more than 160 countries on all seven continents.
And they have one of the toughest jobs around.
They endure long hours, stressful environments, separation from family and friends, and constant training . . . hard, demanding, and realistic training. Training that, even when the highest standards of safety are met, can result in an accident.
Preparing for a war they hope will never come, our young men and women in uniform push themselves to the limits of physical and mental endurance, ensuring that if called upon to fight, they’ll be the strongest, smartest, and best trained warriors in the world.
But their high state of preparedness comes at a heavy price.
A Warrior And Leader
Lt. Conor McDowell, USMC (PC: Conor McDowell FB page)
For twenty-four-year-old Hugh Conor McDowell, a 1st Lieutenant with 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion (LAR), 1st Marine Division, at Camp Pendleton, California, the price was his life. The hard-charging graduate of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina (Class of 2017), died last week when his eight-wheeled, 13-ton armored vehicle rolled over during a training exercise, crushing him and injuring six other Marines. Conor, as he was known by his parents and friends, died en route to the hospital.
The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Michael McDowell, Conor had dreamed of being a Marine since childhood, his father, a Belfast-born journalist and key player in the Northern Ireland peace process in the 1990’s, told reporters.
“Conor was a warrior, like my father in the Royal Ulster Rifles in the Western Desert, Sicily, and Italy in World War Two,” his father said. Conor’s girlfriend and soon-to-be fiancé, Kathleen Bourque, added, “He was such a light in this world.”
Conor McDowell with his girlfriend, Kathleen Bourque (PC: Conor McDowell FB page)
The Great American Team
The tragic death of Conor McDowell, a young man who wanted to serve his country and, if called upon, lead Marines into combat, reminds us that dedicated, hard-working, and selfless men and women from across America and from every race, religion, and background, come together as a team to ensure our way of life is protected.
Lt. McDowell’s death also reminds us that there are those who, because of training accidents or combat, will never have the opportunity to marry, have children, take vacations, achieve their dreams, or grow old. Instead, they leave behind grieving families, friends, and fellow service members who will always remember them as bright-eyed, youthful, and enthusiastic sons, daughters, and teammates.
To all our men and women in uniform and their families on Armed Forces Day, we salute you! Your service and sacrifices are honored and appreciated.
Postscript
As a Citadel graduate, Marine veteran, and former 1st Lieutenant with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, I send my condolences to Conor McDowell's family, fiancé, and friends. I also thank them for giving him the support and love he needed to make it through four tough years at The Citadel; complete Officer Candidates School, The Basic School, and LAR training; and achieve his dream of becoming a Marine.
"There is a massive hole in our hearts and there will be for the rest of our lives. He was our only beloved child, in whom we were well pleased. We hope to meet again with our son in some way at some time as we pass on, as he has, at so young an age, and with so much of life ahead of him.” - Michael McDowell
Top/feature picture: Light Armored Vehicle in the California desert (PC: US Marine Corps)
Conor was going to be our son -in-law…a finer man you could not find. We all loved him dearly, but especially the way that he adored our beloved daughter, Kathleen. It is difficult to even begin to comprehend the magnitude of this loss…we are all destroyed, but mostly our hearts ache for the pain that Conor’s parents have to bear…as well as the excruciating pain and loss that our daughter is suffering from and carrying in her own heart. People can try to capture the pure essence of Conor through their words and tributes, but the truth is, there are simply no words that can adequately describe the quality of his character, the brilliance of his mind, the depths of his heart. As I have said before, we are all better people as a result of having Conor pass – if ever so briefly – through our lives. I don’t BELIEVE we will see him again…I KNOW we will see him again.
God bless you, beautiful boy, loving man…and may His perpetual light shine upon you now and forever.
Ann – Thank you for this beautifully written tribute to a remarkable young man who obviously had such an impact on so many lives.
Even though we never met him, from what people have shared with us about his character and attributes, we know his legacy will live on.
We send our deepest sympathy to you, your daughter and family, the McDowell’s, and everyone affected by this tragedy.
Again, thank you for sharing these heartfelt comments.
Lovely post, sir. Conor’s father is a Facebook friend, and I am devastated to read this news. In fact, I had a painful memory triggered by it, when I got the call from Camp Pendelton in the early a.m. decades ago as they tried to reach my roommate, to tell her that her brother (who had been staying with us on weekend leaves) had been killed in a tank training accident in a similar way. I had to track her down at a ski resort and break the news to her. Crushing… I remember it vividly.
Conor was by all accounts an exemplary young man, all that one could want from a son, a fiance, a Marine officer, and a friend. It’s a tragic loss, and a void his parents can never fill.
Peace.
Thank you so much for sharing this heartfelt story, Patrick. I can’t imagine having to do what you did for your friend. These are things you don’t forget.
Although I did not meet Conor, I respect the path that he was on. As you rightly say, this is a tragic loss. A loss for his family, friends and fiancé, and a loss for our country.
Again- many thanks.
As Conor’s father, I welcome this unsolicited and most heartening article. Truly touched. Thank you.
It was an honor to write this story, Michael. I feel a special connection to Conor and to your family, and I hope this story gives you some comfort.
Once again, please accept our heartfelt condolences.
Another great tribute to an exemplary Marine. During the several winters we spent in Oceanside I marveled at the training I observed aboard Camp Pendelton.
Thanks for reading the blog and commenting, Travis.
As you know, it’s all about the training. That’s what makes our Armed Forces the best in the world.
During your career I’m sure you had buddies killed in training and combat. You saw so much being both in Korea and Vietnam. We appreciate your service.
Prayers that God’s grace and mercy will help family and friends through this difficult time! Semper Fidelis from an OLD SALT 1967-1971!
Thank you for reading the blog and commenting, Randall. It means a lot to us as I’m sure it does the family.
I salute you for your service, sir.
Semper Fi!
rode with conor to baltimore this past saturday. it was incredibly heartbreaking, and it becomes more so the more I learn about him. thanks to everyone for letting him continue to shine and touch lives, and Peace be with the McDowell family.
Thanks for sharing this, Elizabeth. What an honor for you to have ridden with him. I can only imagine how heartbreaking it was.
Conor was obviously a very special young man, and as you say, he continues to touch lives.
Again, thank you.