imc indymedia
white themeblack themered themetheme help
About Us Contact Us Subscribe Calendar Publish RSS
Features
latest news
best of news
syndication
commentary


KILLRADIO

CopWatch LA

ABCF LA





IMC Network: www.indymedia.org africa: ambazonia canarias estrecho / madiaq kenya nigeria south africa canada: hamilton london, ontario maritimes montreal ontario ottawa quebec thunder bay vancouver victoria windsor winnipeg east asia: burma jakarta japan korea manila qc europe: abruzzo alacant andorra antwerpen armenia athens austria barcelona belarus belgium belgrade bristol bulgaria calabria croatia cyprus emilia-romagna estrecho / madiaq euskal herria galiza germany grenoble hungary imc-london ireland istanbul italy la plana liege liguria lille linksunten lombardia madrid malta marseille nantes napoli netherlands nice norway oost-vlaanderen paris/ÃŽle-de-france patras piemonte poland portugal roma romania russia saint-petersburg scotland sverige switzerland thessaloniki torun toscana toulouse ukraine united kingdom valencia latin america: argentina bolivia chiapas chile chile sur cmi brasil colombia ecuador mexico peru puerto rico qollasuyu rosario santiago tijuana uruguay valparaiso venezuela venezuela oceania: adelaide aotearoa brisbane burma darwin jakarta manila melbourne perth qc sydney south asia: india mumbai united states: arizona arkansas asheville atlanta austin baltimore big muddy binghamton boston buffalo charlottesville chicago cleveland colorado columbus dc hawaii houston hudson mohawk kansas city la madison maine miami michigan milwaukee minneapolis/st. paul new hampshire new jersey new mexico new orleans north carolina north texas nyc oklahoma philadelphia pittsburgh portland richmond rochester rogue valley saint louis san diego san francisco san francisco bay area santa barbara santa cruz, ca sarasota seattle tampa bay tennessee urbana-champaign vermont western mass worcester west asia: armenia beirut israel palestine process: fbi/legal updates mailing lists process & imc docs tech volunteer projects: print radio satellite tv video regions: oceania united states topics: biotech
printable version - email this article - view hidden posts
link:

Local Soldier, Hannah Lee McKinney, Killed in Iraq
by DJ Friday, Sep. 08, 2006 at 4:08 PM

In pitch darkness early Monday, Army Pfc. Hannah Leah McKinney of Redlands climbed down from a guard tower at Fort Taji, Iraq, and headed across a dusty road to a latrine. She never made it. As she walked across the road, a Humvee drove out of the darkness, ran over the young soldier, then sped away, leaving her small crumpled body lying in the dirt, according to family members.

Local Soldier, Hanna...
hannah_lee_mckinney_1.jpg, image/jpeg, 100x171

Loss in Iraq grieved

by Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell, Staff Writer
San Bernardino County Sun

In pitch darkness early Monday, Army Pfc. Hannah Leah McKinney of Redlands climbed down from a guard tower at Fort Taji, Iraq, and headed across a dusty road to a latrine.

She never made it.

As she walked across the road, a Humvee drove out of the darkness, ran over the young soldier, then sped away, leaving her small crumpled body lying in the dirt, according to family members.

More than an hour later, a tank driver found her and rushed her to the base medical center, where she died of internal injuries.

Death came two months before McKinney, 20, was due to return to the Redlands family the young mother had pined for during her deployment.

"The war had been taking a toll. She had been depressed and calling home a lot," said her mother, Barbie Heavrin. "All she wanted was to come home and start a new life."

Since her deployment to Iraq in November 2005 with the 542nd Maintenance Company, 44th Corps Support Battalion, McKinney served as a quartermaster at Fort Taji.

Her duties included order processing and manning a machine gun on a guard tower at the base, the job she was doing when she was killed.

Sgt. Jeremy Pitcher, a spokesman for Multi-National Force-Iraq in Baghdad, refused to comment further on her death, saying it was still under investigation.

McKinney was born to Matt and Barbie Heavrin in 1985 at Western Medical Center in Tustin.

Growing up in Colton and Redlands as one of the couple's four children, she was a cheerful child nicknamed Happy Hannah.

"She was always making us laugh. One time at Huntington Beach, she was sitting by a campfire eating potato chips when she said, `Dad, these chips don't want me to eat them anymore,' " recalled Matt Heavrin.

At Paul J. Rogers Elementary School in Colton, she read every book she could get her hands on.

Her favorite was "Gone With the Wind."

"She read it about 12 times," said Matt Heavrin. "I think she identified with Scarlett O'Hara because they were both very decisive and strong-headed."

But for chance, McKinney's life might have ended nine years before she died in Iraq.

While riding her bicycle in Redlands at age 11, she was struck by a car. The impact split her helmet in three places and sent her flying into the windshield.

"She was so excited about starting school at Arrowhead Christian Academy that she nearly left without her helmet that day," said her father. "Thank goodness she remembered because she only ended up with a concussion, scrapes and bruises."

At the academy, she joined the choir and drama department, where she would have loved to play Scarlett but never got the chance, said Barbie Heavrin.

She continued to belt out tunes as a student at Redlands High School and also pursued an interest in fashion design.

Against her father's wishes McKinney joined the Army right out of high school to earn the money to go to The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.

"I tried to talk her out of it because she was more of a free spirit than a regimented person," he said. "The thought that she might get sent to Iraq was also in the back of my mind."

At Fort Lee in Virginia she dated a fellow soldier and became pregnant with his child. She was discharged from the Army in 2004.

She returned to active duty in 2005, and a long friendship she had with fellow Redlands High School graduate Christopher McKinney blossomed into romance when both were stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash. They were married just a month when the Army shipped her out to Iraq.

Now, her husband, 22-month-old son Todd Avery Gunterman, parents and siblings mourn her loss. Christopher McKinney, still stationed at Fort Lewis, was is in Redlands to make arrangements for the funeral.

"I will miss her beautiful dimples when she smiled, but at least we still have her son," said her mother.

At Fort Taji she will be remembered as the young soldier who started a library on the base.

"I'm sure it has a lot of copies of `Gone With the Wind,' " said Barbie Heavrin.

A public viewing will be at 9 a.m. Thursday. Memorial services will follow at 10 a.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church, 28335 E. Baseline, Highland. McKinney will be buried with full military honors at Riverside National Cemetery.

Staff writer Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell can be reached by e-mail at deborah.pfeifferor by telephone at (909) 386-3879.

Copyright © 2006 Los Angeles Newspaper Group
Report this post as:

add your comments


Hannah Leah McKinney
by DJ Friday, Sep. 08, 2006 at 4:08 PM

Hannah Leah McKinney...
hannah_lee_mckinney_2.jpg, image/jpeg, 440x291

Barbie and Matt Heavrin, of Redlands, hold a photo of daughter Hannah Leah McKinney at their home in Redlands.
GABRIEL ACOSTA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER.
Report this post as:

add your comments


Pfc. Hannah Leah McKinney at Boot Camp
by DJ Friday, Sep. 08, 2006 at 4:08 PM

Pfc. Hannah Leah McK...
hannah_lee_mckinney_3.jpg, image/jpeg, 306x390

Pfc. Hannah Leah McKinney at boot camp in South Carolina in 2003. Pfc. McKinney, 20, was a quarter master who died in Fort Taji Iraq on September 4, 2006.
COURTESY PHOTO
Report this post as:

add your comments


Guard Duty
by DJ Friday, Sep. 08, 2006 at 4:08 PM

Guard Duty...
hannah_lee_mckinney_4.jpg, image/jpeg, 440x287

A photo from early 2006, shows Pfc. McKinney in her final role as guard duty in a tower at Fort Taji, Iraq.
COURTESY PHOTO
Report this post as:

add your comments


Mother and Father Grieve
by DJ Friday, Sep. 08, 2006 at 4:08 PM

Mother and Father Gr...
hannah_lee_mckinney_5.jpg, image/jpeg, 440x277

"I miss her dimples when she smiled," said Barbie Heavrin of her daughter. Hannah's father Matt is at left.
GABRIEL ACOSTA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Report this post as:

add your comments


Matt and Barbie Heavrin grieve
by DJ Friday, Sep. 08, 2006 at 4:08 PM

Matt and Barbie Heav...
hannah_lee_mckinney_6.jpg, image/jpeg, 440x312

Matt and Barbie Heavrin grieve the loss of their daughter Hannah McKinney from their home in Redlands September 7, 2006.
GABRIEL ACOSTA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Report this post as:

add your comments


Hannah with Husband and Son
by DJ Friday, Sep. 08, 2006 at 4:08 PM

Hannah with Husband ...
hannah_lee_mckinney_7.jpg, image/jpeg, 440x344

A family photo shows Chris McKinney, 21, with Hannah, 20, and son Todd, 22 months, as seen May 2006. The couple had been married for 11 months. Hannah leaves behind a husband, son, two parents, and three siblings.
COURTESY PHOTO.
Report this post as:

add your comments


LATEST COMMENTS ABOUT THIS ARTICLE
Listed below are the 10 latest comments of 44 posted about this article.
These comments are anonymously submitted by the website visitors.
TITLE AUTHOR DATE
War criminals also kill their own The New World Order Resistance Sunday, Sep. 10, 2006 at 1:58 PM
. Albert Monday, Dec. 25, 2006 at 11:40 AM
NonCombat Deaths OneWhoServed Tuesday, Jul. 10, 2007 at 7:00 AM
My sister Ruthie Heavrin Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007 at 3:55 PM
my friend i miss you candie ransom Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008 at 11:51 PM

Local News

Queremos justicia: Pueblo rechazó presencia del alguacil Arpaio en Condado de Orange N06 9:13AM

Sit-in at Chancellor Yang's office to protest closure of Ventura Campus N05 10:49AM

Settlement Puts an End to Controversial Elephant Hill Development in Los Angeles N05 7:33AM

BREAKING: Wednesday, Nov 4, 7:45pm - Hundreds Marching in Silverlake for right to marry N04 7:46PM

Calling Long Beach Area Anarchists! N04 7:54AM

JFAV ACTION WEEK, NOVEMBER 8-14, 2009 N02 3:47PM

Checkpoints this weeked: Retenes este fin de semana (30-31/oct) O29 9:51PM

Fred Phelps Brings Road Show of Hate to San Diego; 500 Protest Against Him O29 7:10PM

Pension fund probe into possible bribery of former LA deputy mayor O29 6:02PM

Dr. Helen Caldicott Speaks in San Diego O29 5:50PM

Queer Democrats Endorse Alvarez, Wayne for City Council O29 5:41PM

Béla Dornon: Queer Photographer Seeks to Document California’s Same-Sex Marriages O29 5:30PM

Physician and Six Activists Are Arrested At CIGNA's Glendale, CA Offices O28 8:08PM

Physician and Six Activists Are Arrested At CIGNA's Glendale, CA Offices/ Video O28 7:35PM

BREAKING: 1pm - 10/28/09 - Healthcare Activists Stage Sit-in at Cigna offices, 7 Arrested O28 12:55PM

First in state Holistic Mom’s Network chapter celebrates 5th birthday O27 11:02PM

More footage of the Anti-Nazi protest O27 1:46AM

Sit-in at CIGNA insurance, 10am Wednesday, 10/28 O26 7:36PM

International Day of Climate Action in Eagle Rock (part 1) O26 7:09PM

International Day of Climate Action in Eagle Rock part 2 O26 6:30PM

Inland Empire Against Racial Hate (1-13) O26 1:44PM

Video footage of the Anti-Nazi protest O26 11:28AM

Immigrants Are Welcome Here. Nazis Are Not. (Photo set 3) O26 10:47AM

Immigrants Are Welcome Here. Nazis Are Not. (Photo set 2) O26 10:22AM

Immigrants Are Welcome Here. Nazis Are Not. O26 10:06AM

Indymedia Los Angeles 10th Anniversary Event! O26 9:55AM

NAZIS GO HOME! Spit and Swastikas Clash in Riverside O26 8:40AM

Nazis in Riverside O25 7:46PM

More Local News...

Other/Breaking News

GLOBAL TURN AROUND! N07 2:27PM

JFAV/ FIL-AMS ALL SET FOR VETERANS DAY PROTEST MARCH ON NOVEMBER 11 IN LA N07 12:26PM

NDF -EV URGES PEOPLE TO ACT ON UTILITIES CRISIS N07 11:58AM

PHILIPPINES; A CAPITALIST CALAMITY N07 10:25AM

~ BIGDADDYJAZZANDMAYA.COM ~ THE ATTEMPT TO DESTROY ONE LOCAL POORER AMERICAN FAMILY~! N07 9:13AM

~ BIGDADDYJAZZANDMAYA.COM ~ THE ATTEMPT TO DESTROY ONE LOCAL POORER AMERICAN FAMILY~! N07 9:05AM

BTL:Former Religious Right Activist Warns Against Incitement to Violence N07 4:00AM

Nov. 20-22 Mass Mobilization to Close the SOA N06 1:59PM

Honduran Accord Solidifies Coup E'Etat Rule N06 1:15PM

Democraticamente. FERNANDO LUGO, CONTINUADA DESHONRA PARA LA INVESTIDURA PRESIDENCIAL N06 11:42AM

National Resistance Against the Coup d’Etat Announces Boycott of Elections N06 10:35AM

Don't go N06 8:59AM

BTL:Civil Disobedience Actions Launched to Stop Mountain Top Removal N06 5:29AM

Diario Siglo XXI. FERNANDO LUGO, CONTINUADA DESHONRA PARA LA INVESTIDURA PRESIDENCIAL N06 12:44AM

Rivers Casino Supervisor Physically Assaults Casino Security Officer during Union Campaign N05 9:05PM

Obama is Absolutely Right to Re-evaluate Afghanistan Strategy N05 6:49PM

The Shortwave Report 11/06 Listen Globally! N05 5:02PM

The latest trend in eco-tourism is completely out of this world ... and right around the c N05 2:18PM

Comments from an Inmate N05 11:56AM

The High Risk Business of Banks N05 5:40AM

BTL:Karzai Government Corruption Hobbles Obama Afghan War Strategy N05 5:11AM

War Criminals and their agent control 344 Members of Congress. N05 1:29AM

EEUU SOBORNA CON ARMAS A FERNANDO LUGO N05 12:45AM

Reject Corporate Option for Health Care N04 7:55PM

Blog en solidaridad con el SME. México N04 1:58PM

House Resolution Designates Venezuela a State Sponsor of Terrorism N04 1:08PM

Pirates attack ship in eastern mediterranean N04 7:23AM

Profits=Investments=Jobs? N04 5:49AM

More Breaking News...
© 2000-2003 Los Angeles Independent Media Center. Unless otherwise stated by the author, all content is free for non-commercial reuse, reprint, and rebroadcast, on the net and elsewhere. Opinions are those of the contributors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Los Angeles Independent Media Center. Running sf-active v0.9.4 Disclaimer | Privacy