51 Year Old NG Member Dies of Natural Causes in Iraq

[warrens]

What the HELL is a 51 year old guy doing in a combat zone?

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Military officials
announced today the death of a Pennsylvania National Guard soldier performing
duty in Iraq.
Spc. Clifford L. Moxley Jr., 51, New Castle, died of apparent natural
causes Sept. 25, near Baghdad.
"Our deepest sympathies go out to Clifford's family," said Maj. Gen.
Jessica Wright, the adjutant general. "His daughters, Tonia and Christina,
his son, Clifford III, and his wife, Jean, are all in our prayers."
"Clifford was a soldier everyone looked up to, especially the younger
soldiers," said Lt. Col. Grey Berrier, battalion commander, 1st Battalion,
107th Field Artillery. "He always worked very hard behind the scenes getting
things done. He was a true gentleman."
Moxley was a member of the 1st Battalion, 107th Field Artillery, New
Castle. He was assigned as a cook to Company C, 2/103rd Armor, near Baghdad.
Moxley served in the Army from 1981 to 1987. He joined the Pennsylvania
National Guard in 1991. Moxley's unit mobilized at Fort Dix in January and
deployed to Iraq in March.
A service in honor of Moxley will be held Thursday in Baghdad.

CONTACT: Lt. Col. Chris Cleaver of the Pennsylvania Department of
Military and Veterans Affairs, [phone].


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[MaryH]

1. This isn't the first one like this

I remember at least one other - died of a heart attack out in 135 degree heat this summer.

[SoCalDem]

2. Cynic that I am, I wonder if the "natural causes" is a way to weasel

out of paying whatever extra there might be for 'combat' deaths..Very sad for his family..

The Guard and reserves needs to institute maximum ages..There is NO reason for a 51 yr old guy to still be in the guard..

Maybe we need a NEW Guard..just for the older ones.. They would to ONLY stateside and in desk job capacity.. THAT might make sense, but to send a 51 yr old to combat is RIDICULOUS..

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

4. Such words are often code speak

When I was in the Army (the mid 1970s) if it was said one got injured falling down a flight of stairs it usually meant that person had the crap beat out 'em, often by several people.

[daleo]

3. Not much natural about a 51 year old performing occupation duties

Before Bush, this would have been a very unnatural end to a 51 year old's life.

[indepat]

5. Temperature in the 120-130 degrees range are not natural for most of us

in the western world: Such would kill many in their fifties or older. Comfort can be taken that the deceased died making the world safe for democracy, making us safe.

[rfkrocks]

6. Outrage!-middle aged men only thing left in armed forces

Shrub has destroyed the strength of the US Armed Forces with this immoral and pointless war-where is the outrage? I guess the Clenis was more important:argh:

[benddem]

7. It isn't natural for a 51 year old man

to die. He either had a heart attack...not a natural cause, heat stroke, not a natural cause, stroke not natural and so on and so forth...this obfuscation is ridiculous.