“My Daddy was Killed”
posted at 4:00 pm on March 4, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Kevin Bewley gave his life for his country on November 5, 2007. A member of the Navy’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11, Petty Officer Bewley died trying to save lives by disabling an explosive, and unfortunately lost his life in the process. Bewley’s family has set up a web site and a trust fund for his daughter McKinnzie, and they’re looking for donations. Here is the eulogy Bewley’s brother gave at his memorial:
My brother Kevin Bewley was born April 18, 1980, in Russellville,
Arkansas. Kevin had a lifelong dream of joining the military, seeing the world and making an impact on the lives of others.He was a lifelong student of history. While on his first tour of duty, he completed Civil War, and American West history courses at Columbia. He spent two tours of duty in Iraq as a member of the Navy’s elite EOD Mobile Unit 11 Bomb Disposal Squad. During this time, Kevin and his team conducted 288 Combat missions and countless IED responses.
While in service, Kevin was responsible for the disposal of hundreds of terrorist bombs through which he protected thousands of American and Iraqi lives. He loved adventure and the outdoors. I had the privilege to travel tens of thousands of miles with Kevin. Our trips took us from the desert to the artic, and from the bottoms of the oceans to the tops of mountains.
Whether it was thru his service in Iraq, always being the first to volunteer for Snake Hunter missions, or simply thru his honesty, integrity, and spirituality, my brother led by example and he led from the front.
He did his job with professionalism and he did his job right all the way to the end. He lived his life with no regrets. For those of you who have came to honor him, we thank you.
Rest well, for men like Kevin Bewley are at your guard.
McKinnzie suffers from cerebral palsy and needs physical therapy to help her learn to walk. Kevin Bewley gave his life to his country; maybe his country could give some of its attention to his little girl. Donations can be transmitted through the website or through the Navy.
Blowback
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May God bless and protect McKinnzie and the rest of her family.
Thank you Kevin.
AZCoyote on March 4, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Definition of the word Hero, sacrificing for others you don’t even know.
We need to support these families who have given it all in service to their country, heading over right now to contribute.
-Paul-
Sprockett on March 4, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Salute!
Lawrence on March 4, 2008 at 4:07 PM
Do it now.
pistolero on March 4, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Fair winds and following seas my friend..
Viper1 on March 4, 2008 at 4:09 PM
What a special breed these fine young men our.
May God Bless Kevin Bewley, his family, his fellow brothers and sisters in arms and his country.
EJDolbow on March 4, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Fine young men ARE
EJDolbow on March 4, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Thank you. God bless you sir, and God bless your family.
Limerick on March 4, 2008 at 4:15 PM
Pray…
Seven Percent Solution on March 4, 2008 at 4:21 PM
Here is the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society: http://www.nmcrs.org/
NoDonkey on March 4, 2008 at 4:24 PM
What a Fine Man!
upinak on March 4, 2008 at 4:33 PM
Thank you.
ronsfi on March 4, 2008 at 4:34 PM
We are all collectively indebted to Petty Officer Bewley and all the men and women who serve our great country.
We can make payment on that debt by supporting his family in their moment of need. I only hope that an outpouring of support can provide a modicum of comfort for his family.
God Bless you Sir and thank you.
moxie_neanderthal on March 4, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Just made a donation. I pray for this child but also pray that regular posters to HA can find a few dollars for the disabled daughter of a brave man.
Sugar Land on March 4, 2008 at 5:18 PM
Thank you Bewley and prayers for your family. May your beautiful daughter understand someday what a hero her daddy was.
NTWR on March 4, 2008 at 5:27 PM
{McKinnzie}
RushBaby on March 4, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Another selfless sacrifice laid at the altar of freedom. God Bless McKinnzie and her family.
jimbo2008 on March 4, 2008 at 5:32 PM
This is going to sound callous but his death is one of many. If he were smart, and it sounds as such then he was well insured financially. I live overseas (undisclosed) and am prepared for catastrophy/death. Send the family money if you feel the need, by all means. But consider this, SGLI + elective insurance for us totals approx 400,000 and can go much higher. This is no substitute for this man’s sacrifice but it’s a help. Plus his daughter will receive free college as the daughter of a fallen service member. I just think that if you want to support the troops then send them packages or donate to a service relief society because his death is one of many and their are alot of worthy cases. We can’t give money to all the fallen individually and the relief societies are fantastic at what they do.
whiskeytango on March 4, 2008 at 5:32 PM
Done. Not to get too greedy here but if you were following the news yesterday when a Wendy’s was shot up in West Palm Beach, FL you may have heard that one of those killed was a 42 year old firefighter. His name was Rafael Vazquez and he left behind five children and a wife. He returned to the Wendy’s when the drive thru employee forgot the toy in his kids meal. He walked up to the counter and was shot dead.
Click here for info on his memorial fund
Such a sad story…
shawnwasson on March 4, 2008 at 7:01 PM
I’m always skeptical of these type of appeals, because it’s no secret that the families of law enforcement or military personnel who die in the line of duty will receive generous pensions, insurance, scholarships, etc.
corona on March 4, 2008 at 8:45 PM
Hey, Mr. Ed. This is a great cause. How about putting this as a sticky up top for a while?
locomotivebreath1901 on March 4, 2008 at 9:26 PM
I have no problem whatsoever sending a few bucks to a child whose father is a rea American War Hero. I suggest also though that the family make contact with http://freedomalliance.org/fa/ which provides free college educations to the children of parents who were killed in the defense of this nation. Freedom Alliance is a group run by Lt. Col. Oliver North USMC ret specifically for this purpose.
Vntnrse on March 4, 2008 at 9:37 PM
I meant to add that I’m sure they have some resources for this cild in this case.
Vntnrse on March 4, 2008 at 10:06 PM
You’re not familiar with the military, are you?
NO pension unless the military member retires after a minimum of twenty years’ service, or is medically retired. Being killed in the line of duty does not qualify.
NO insurance for dependents.
NO scholarships from the military. There may be scholarships available from private organizations or charities.
I could, of course, be incorrect. I only had fourteen years’ service…
Rusty Bill on March 5, 2008 at 12:32 AM
Freedom Alliance is a private organization, though and although I only did four years in the Navy at the tail end of the Vietnam era, i was never in need of any of those services so I don’t know. I do have a fair trust of Ollie North though. Freedom Alliance is run by retired officers but is not a military organization. As far as I’m concerned I say it’s at least worth a try….if they can’t or won’t help, it doesn’t hurt to at least try, and in addition as a nurse I’ve known more then a few CP patients that led great lives and a few that did graduate from college. I think they ought to try.
Vntnrse on March 5, 2008 at 1:26 AM
Be cynical if you like, but I want that Mom to never have to work a day in her life as long as she is taking care of that little girl. Kids with CP tend to stop growing up at some point and just grow. She will need every penny we can muster.
rhodeymark on March 5, 2008 at 7:56 AM
My $100 was sent yesterday.
jed58 on March 5, 2008 at 2:30 PM