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Renehan, Kyle
Kyle Joseph Renehan was born on March 17, 1983 to James and Theresa Renehan. He was one of five children. Kyle grew up in a small community called Elkridge, MD.
Kyle’s family later moved to Oxford, where he graduated from Oxford Area High School. His yearbook describes him as “Friendly, Funny, Considerate.” His plans were “to move my way up through the Marine Corps, and get married and have two children.” His write up in the yearbook lists a quote from the Rapper DMX: “If it takes for me to suffer for my brothers to see the light, give me pain until I die; but please Lord treat’em right.”
Kyle was on the varsity football team all through high school. His coach, Dan Bonner, is quoted in the Oxford Tribune as saying: “He was the nicest kid you’d ever want to meet. I know a lot of people say that, but he truly was. He wasn’t the greatest athlete, and he wasn’t the biggest kid or the fastest kid. But he was such a role model. He gave everything he had -110%” Kyle represented his school in the Chester County Valor Bowl; a benefit foot ball game featuring the county’s top senior class players.
Kyle’s family later moved to Oxford, where he graduated from Oxford Area High School. His yearbook describes him as “Friendly, Funny, Considerate.” His plans were “to move my way up through the Marine Corps, and get married and have two children.” His write up in the yearbook lists a quote from the Rapper DMX: “If it takes for me to suffer for my brothers to see the light, give me pain until I die; but please Lord treat’em right.”
Kyle was on the varsity football team all through high school. His coach, Dan Bonner, is quoted in the Oxford Tribune as saying: “He was the nicest kid you’d ever want to meet. I know a lot of people say that, but he truly was. He wasn’t the greatest athlete, and he wasn’t the biggest kid or the fastest kid. But he was such a role model. He gave everything he had -110%” Kyle represented his school in the Chester County Valor Bowl; a benefit foot ball game featuring the county’s top senior class players.
Following graduation from high school in 2001, Kyle enlisted in the Marine Corps. After basic training, he received advanced training to become an air controller and was assigned to the Marine Air Control Squadron 2, Marine Air Control Group 28, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, which was home based at Cherry Point, NC. Kyle was trained by Master Gunnery Sergeant Mark Eadie, Tony Polito’s son-in-law. Tony Polito was one of the guiding forces that created the Hall of Heroes Memorial Project.
Kyle was serving in Iraq at FOB (Forward Operating Base) Kalsu, about 20 miles south of Baghdad. On November 29, 2004, he ended his watch at the control tower, and played catch with a friend before heading to the communications tent to send a message home. The tent was hit by a mortar causing several casualties, including Kyle.
Corporal Kyle Joseph Renehan Died Of Wounds on December 9, 2004 in Germany. Services fwere held on December 19th at the Fleck Funeral Home in Laurel, Maryland. A burial mass was held at St. Mary’s of the Mill Catholic Church the following day, followed by interment at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Kyle’s brother Christopher also served in the Marines.
Kyle was Honored at The Chester County Valor bowl in May 2014.
Kyle was serving in Iraq at FOB (Forward Operating Base) Kalsu, about 20 miles south of Baghdad. On November 29, 2004, he ended his watch at the control tower, and played catch with a friend before heading to the communications tent to send a message home. The tent was hit by a mortar causing several casualties, including Kyle.
Corporal Kyle Joseph Renehan Died Of Wounds on December 9, 2004 in Germany. Services fwere held on December 19th at the Fleck Funeral Home in Laurel, Maryland. A burial mass was held at St. Mary’s of the Mill Catholic Church the following day, followed by interment at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, Maryland.
Kyle’s brother Christopher also served in the Marines.
Kyle was Honored at The Chester County Valor bowl in May 2014.
Remembrances and reflections posted by Kyle's friends offer a glimpse of his character and the impact of his loss. Some of his tributes are found on the Fallen Heroes Memorial site and include:
CPL Steiner, a fellow Marine who was also injured in this attack posts:
CPL Steiner, a fellow Marine who was also injured in this attack posts:
“I was in the same attack in the tent on November 29th 2004 and was medevac’d to Germany with you and stood by your bed in the ICU while in the CSH in B-dad. You were right next to me when we got hit but I never knew you but I did spend some time with your brother who was flown in from Fallujah and spent time by your bed in both B-dad and Germany.”
I feel a lot of pain when I think about you passing and not me because I was closer to the mortar then you were. I hope God is taking care of you and I will always remember that day, you and your brother.
Fellow Marine, Curtis Smith posted a memory of Kyle:
“He was all smiles on that fateful day in November. Cracking a joke before heading off to send messages home to his family. Not a day goes by that I don't wish I could have known to stop him or keep him at the tower a little longer. I have never met someone who has left a bigger impression on my heart. He was a friend to everyone, the person in the unit that brought the unit together.”
Matt Wylie posted:
"You'll never meet a nicer guy. I rarely saw him without a smile on his face. I spoke to him only minutes before the attack. I helped load some of the guys on the Blackhawks. I never thought that would be the last time that I would see him. That's a day that I will never forget. Those of us at FOB Kalsu know that days like this one were all too common. Kyle always provided a needed laugh during some harsh times and on days when very few of us felt like laughing. I'll never be able to say enough good things about this Marine. I consider it an honor to have known and served with such an exceptional person. You are missed, Kyle."
ATC2nd Benson, a sailor who worked with Kyle in the 24th MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) probably for deployment on the USS Kearsarge LHD-3 posts:
“I am truely saddened at the loss of Kyle. I served with him and the 24th MEU during their work ups. I was one of three Navy Air Traffic Controllers assigned to the MEU. I spent his 21st birthday with him and spent many nights talking to him about home and all of his future plans. I am very proud to have served with him and will always remember him as a true hero. His memory fills me with pride and the honor that comes to mind when I speak about a MARINE. He was as dedicated to the Corp as he was his family. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten. As a Navy man I rarely say this, only because I am not a marine, however Kyle, Semper Fi and God Bless."
Col Bob Stephenson, Airboss, FOB Kalsu, named the airfield in Honor of Kyle:
"On this Memorial Day I was looking online for information about Kyle, who worked for me in Iraq when he was fatally wounded in Nov. of 2004. In early March of 2005, two days before I left FOB Kalsu and we turned the airfield over to the Army, I named the airfield after him. I hung a sign on the ATC tower where he had worked as an Air Traffic Controller." (see photo below)
Fellow Marine, Curtis Smith posted a memory of Kyle:
“He was all smiles on that fateful day in November. Cracking a joke before heading off to send messages home to his family. Not a day goes by that I don't wish I could have known to stop him or keep him at the tower a little longer. I have never met someone who has left a bigger impression on my heart. He was a friend to everyone, the person in the unit that brought the unit together.”
Matt Wylie posted:
"You'll never meet a nicer guy. I rarely saw him without a smile on his face. I spoke to him only minutes before the attack on our internet/phone tent. I helped load some of the guys on the Blackhawks. I never thought that would be the last time that I would see him. That's a day that I will never forget. Those of us at FOB Kalsu know that days like this one were all too common. Kyle always provided a needed laugh during some harsh times and on days when very few of us felt like laughing. I'll never be able to say enough good things about this Marine. I consider it an honor to have known and served with such an exceptional person. You are missed, Kyle."
ATC2nd Benson, a sailor who worked with Kyle in the 24th MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) probably for deployment on the USS Kearsarge LHD-3 posts:
“I am truely saddened at the loss of Kyle. I served with him and the 24th MEU during their work ups. I was one of three Navy Air Traffic Controllers assigned to the MEU. I spent his 21st birthday with him and spent many nights talking to him about home and all of his future plans. I am very proud to have served with him and will always remember him as a true hero. His memory fills me with pride and the honor that comes to mind when I speak about a MARINE. He was as dedicated to the Corp as he was his family. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten. As a Navy man I rarely say this, only because I am not a marine, however Kyle Semper Fi and God Bless."
Col Bob Stephenson, Airboss, FOB Kalsu, named the airfield in Honor of Kyle:
"On this Memorial Day I was looking online for information about Kyle, who worked for me in Iraq when he was fatally wounded in Nov. of 2004. In early March of 2005, two days before I left FOB Kalsu and we turned the airfield over to the Army, I named the airfield after him. I hung a sign on the ATC tower where he had worked as an Air Traffic Controller
Sarah from Ireland who never met Kyle, posted a fitting tribute:
“I came across this page by accident, looking up family names. The messages moved me that I wanted to leave a message to kyles family. It is only when you read the words of loved ones does that person become so real. To his parents and family I send my condolences, to his friends still serving, may your god protect you and keep you safe."