Marine Master Sgt. Kenneth N. Mack

October 7, 2009 · By Jerry Castillo

Master Sgt. Kenneth Mack

Master Sgt. Kenneth Mack

Marine Master Sgt. Kenneth N. Mack
42, of Fort Worth, Texas; assigned to II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, II MEF, Camp Lejeune, N.C.; died May 5 while conducting combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq. Also killed was Cpl. Charles O. Palmer II.

Our First Gold Star Memorial in DC

By: Timothy Mack Oct. 2009

When we first heard of the remembrance ceremony in Washington I was wary because of the emotional toll ceremonies place on me and my family. Ken was special, every soldier lost was special but Ken was our family – my Big brother. In my heart no one can honor these men enough; Ken was fearless and often shared with me what combat was like. On his first tour I asked if he had ever fired his weapon in anger and he got quiet then told me about an attack on his convoy which killed several insurgents. Our men are professionals who just want to get the job done and Ken tried to help the Iraqis.

Mack Brothers

Mack Brothers

When my family (Mom and younger brother) arrived in Washington we went to Arlington Cemetery. We always do this first, even 11 years ago, the last time we were in DC. Ken, mom and I got a picture in front of the Iwo Jima statue. We are a military family; my dad served for 26 years and in Vietnam. We wanted to visit Ted Kennedy’s grave and the graves of our most distinguished service men and women.
The first remembrance ceremony was a formal dinner in the Hilton ballroom Friday night. This was a magnificent room, the same room used for the White House Correspondents dinner. There were several distinguished speakers and guests like Ross Perot and various Generals and Congressmen, but I was struck by the people who were at our table #46. There were several mothers who had lost their sons in combat. My mother was asked about Ken and I could feel her grief again when she described how he had been killed and honored with a post office and a building at Camp Lejune. After dinner, I excused myself and went to smoke. I stood by the street corner far away from the guests coming and going; I needed to think, there were so many sad stories told.
On the way back I saw a man who had a remembrance ceremony badge around his neck like mine and I introduced myself; he commented on my Gold Star pin and began to tell me about his son. His son was a Navy medic who was wounded by a sniper when he went to deliver an Iraqi baby. This medic had a chance to go home but he stayed and was later killed by another sniper months later. He was from Indiana. When his son was killed they found a Colts jersey under his uniform, he was a diehard Indy Colts fan and even took them to combat.
After I returned to the ceremony my mother and brother had gone to bed,

Gold Star Wash. DC 2009

Gold Star Wash. DC 2009

they were very tired and didn’t want to miss the ceremony on the Senate grounds. One of our table mates asked me to sit next to her for the next speeches. She was a very sweet lady who was from Arkansas who lost her son last year. The next speaker was a general who came to speak about sacrifice. He had two sons, one committed suicide after returning from Iraq, his second son was killed in combat 8 months later. He spoke about the agony of losing two sons to Iraq but that his faith got him through. Faith and Scotch got me through; I drank so much scotch in 2007 I named our new dog “Whiskey”. I know everyone in the room could relate, at least in part, to his loss. The take away from the ceremony was that we have to keep all of our service members alive by telling their stories.
One of the organizers shared her story of a gravely wounded Green Beret soldier in Vietnam, who made her promise then to do something to tell the story of his fellow soldiers killed on a mission. He then gave her his scarf to seal the deal. His last thoughts were not for himself but for his men. I couldn’t help but think of my brother who didn’t have to go back to Iraq, he volunteered because he knew his soldiers would see intense action and he wanted to make sure they were confident and ready. I was reminded that he told me when I visited him before his deployment, that if he were to be killed that it was just “his time” and not to worry. Ken was fearless! A reporter from the Des Moines register wrote a story about my brother called “Night convoy to Ramidi”. For anyone who hasn’t met Ken, this gives a good snapshot of his character and soul.
After the last speaker, they brought out a country band, me and about 30 other African Americans started heading for the exit; no disrespect but not my kind of entertainment. I didn’t want to go to bed so I went to the bar. I met a woman who worked at the State Department. After a few drinks, she stuck to beer me to scotch, she told me some enlightening observations about partisan politics, race, foreign policy and other items.
After my bar adventure I spent some time walking around North DC that night; feeling overdressed, I returned to the Hilton. The next morning I just missed a chance to get a picture of Ross Perot. Our family left for the senate grounds for the second ceremony. I saw everyone from the night before and heard more speakers like Kevin Bacon and Perot. The ceremony was awesome

Gold Star of Texas in Wash. DC 2009

Gold Star of Texas in Wash. DC 2009

especially several 4 star generals saluting the children of the fallen. After the ceremony we were asked to assemble at our state’s flag (TEXAS) for pictures. I got to meet more people for some awesome pictures, we all hugged and left. My mother was so proud of Ken and told me that she was glad she was able to go. This made the whole thing worthwhile for me. Gold Star moms have a special burden because of the loss of their children; now that I’m a parent I think I understand.
God bless America.


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