Joseph McKay Obituary

Miss you, Brother!! Rest Easy!!

Sgt McKay,

It was an honor serving with you on the SAD mission back in 2005 - 2006. My sincere condolences to the family.

Robert Cruz

Hello,
We would like to express our deepest condolences and also let the McKay Family know that we recently sent Care Packages to American troops in the war zones. Each box carried a dedication sheet that includes the name, service information and a photo of your loved one. We recognize that this is a humble tribute, but we wanted you to know that it is heartfelt and made possible by thousands of like-minded individuals in the youth hockey community and beyond. We will not forget. May God Bless you and keep you strong.
Sincerely,
Charlie Gili & Family
On Behalf of the US Hockey Players Support Our Troops Campaign

To the family and friends of Sgt. 1st Class Joseph McKay:
Please accept my remembrance of Joseph on the anniversary of his passing and know that he will never be forgotten.

Happy Birthday Sgt. Always missed.

A Soldier...

there is discipline in a Soldier you can see it when he walks, there is honor in a Soldier you hear it when he talks.

There is courage in a Soldier you can see it in his eyes, there is loyalty in a Soldier that he will not compromise.

There is something in A Soldier that makes him stand apart, there is strength in a Soldier that beats from his heart.

A Soldier isn't a title any man can be hired to do, a Soldier is the soul of that man buried deep inside of you.

A Soldier's job isn't finished after
an 8 hour day or a 40 hour week, a Soldier is always a Soldier even while he sleeps.

A Soldier serves his country first and his life is left behind, a Soldier has to sacrifice what comes first in a civilian's mind.

A Soldier is the reason our land is 'Home of the free', a Soldier is the one that is brave protecting you and me.

If you are A Soldier - I am saying this to you.....

Thank God for EVERY SOLDIER
Thank God for what YOU do!

To the ones who run toward the danger when everyone else runs away...Thankyou for making the ultimate sacrifice. You won't be forgotten....

thank you for your service to our country its wonderful people like you that make it possable for us to live another day i love you for it @jbr_grlsabrina

To Sg 1 st class Joseph McKay your always in my heart brother i'll miss you and always remember you today makes 2 years june 26th 2008 and ill never forget the times we had my prayers go out to you and your family i just wish i could turn back the hands of time,,, my heart will always cry my heart will never heal love you brother Ruiz

To the family and friends of Sgt. 1st Class Joseph McKay:
Remembering Joseph on the anniversary of his passing. May our fallen heroes never be forgotten!
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

To the family of Sgt. 1st Class Joseph McKay:
Joseph gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org

Re: SFC Joseph McKay

Hello,
I represent PRAYER SHAWLS 4 FALLEN SOLDIERS (PS4FS), an organization that since October 2007 has sent over 2,800 prayer shawls to military families who have lost a loved one. We are an organization of over 240 groups from all over the country. We make every effort to reach families even when post cards are returned after they have moved. Would you kindly send me a contact email/address so that we may send a loving hand-made prayer shawl to the family? Thank you!

Cozette Haggerty, Prayer Shawls 4 Fallen Soldiers
Email: [email protected]
Website Address: http://webpages.charter.net/ps4fs/shawls

We love our Soldiers! We love our country and we cannot express enough love and compassion to the families at this time. This is a Nonprofit Organization to honor are Soldiers!
FREE OIL ON CANVAS PAINTING OF THIS HERO. COMPLETE FORM AT WWW.HEROPAINTINGS.COM
Please contact us! Contact us directly at [email protected] or go to www.heropaintings.com. If you have already had a portrait completed, we pray that you are enjoying the portrait and God Bless You.
Sincerely,
Kenna

sgt. 1st Class Joseph McKay
you are my hero
may god keep you in his arms forever.

To the family and parents of Joseph I want you to know that you are not alone in the grief you are feeling. I too know what you are going through and what you will go through in the coming weeks and months ahead. You will have many questions as to why? You will have many things to get ready or go through and that should be done in time. Sometimes it just can’t be faced and that’s ok, for you will know when the time is right for you. There is no right or wrong way to grieve it’s an individual journey that unfortunately we now have to take. I ask that God give the comfort, strength and courage that you are going to need. When and if the time is right for you please contact me. You can cry, vent, or just talk as only another person who has been where you are can really know what you are going through. May God continue to be with you and heal you.

http://goldstarfamilysupportgroup.
com/

In memory of my son
Spc Harry (Buck) Winkler III
KIA 11/12/06 Samarra, Iraq
82nd Airborne 2-505th PIR

Prayer for Peace

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon,
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen

On behalf of our family I would like to thank everyone for their sympathy and support Joe was my cousin and he will be missed by many

Being a former member of the 1/258 and meeting this kool and smiling Soldier, my only thoughts were "THE GOOD DIE TOO SOON". To all the Family and friends(He shall return in spirit) ONE LOVE

Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers.


The Wind on The Downs

“I like to think of you as brown and tall,
As strong and living as you used to be,
In khaki tunic, Sam Brown belt and all,
And standing there and laughing down at me.
Because they tell me, dear, that you are dead,
Because I can no longer see your face,
You have not died, it is not true, instead
You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe;
I hear you laughing as you used to do,
Yet loving all the things I think of you;
And knowing you are happy, should I grieve?
You follow and are watchful where I go.”

(Written by Marian Allen during World War l )

Two lines that I wish you to keep near your heart…….

“You seek adventure in some other place.
That you are round about me, I believe”


I did not know Joseph, but I am remembering
his service. He is my hero. !

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Other Side

i'm over on the other side
where life and death softly divide.
left my skin and bones behind
now i'm over on the other side.

can you feel me there with you?
my breath is gone but i'm not through.
loved you then and i still do
from over on the other side.

i can fly. really fly.
below the earth ... all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

it's good here on the other side.
the sweetest songs...the bluest skies.
thank you for the tears you cried
but it's good here on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth...all through the sky.
tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side

the world is smaller than a needle's eye.
where life and death softly divide.
when you leave your skin and bones behind
i'll be waiting on the other side.

i can fly. really fly. below the earth ... all through the sky.
go tell em all i did not die.
i'm just over on the other side.

Song lyrics by Don Conoscenti
C Desert Muse/SESAC
www.donconoscenti.com
(Used with permission)

“I hope it brings great comfort to any and all.
Peace on you. DonCon” 4-2008


The Other Side –
(To hear the song)
http://tinyurl.com/3o8gol



Sincerely,

Deb Estep ~ Ohio
Proud Air Force Mom SSgt Vince – Lackland AFB
Proud Air Force MIL SrA Dana – Randolph AFB

Remembering The Fallen – Blog
http://tinyurl.com/3z8p55

Angel and soldier drawing I have shared here.
http://tinyurl.com/6gey8b

Words cannot begin to explain what im feeling this man SFC Joseph Mckay has been there for me when ever i needed him, he was a great role model and an outstanding leader I stand to say I served proudly with him on the New York Homeland Security Team (Operation Noble Eagle) I am so hurt that i am stuck in iraq and wasnt able to pay my last respect to him but he will forever be in my heart.

Thank you for the sacrifice made by Sgt 1st Class McKay and the sacrifice made by everyone who loves and misses him. May God bless all of you!

You are remembered and respected. Thank you Sgt 1st Class McKay!

another photo of a true hero

Our prayers go out to the family of Joseph Mckay. My brother Mark was with him and also died that day. Mark considered Joseph a good friend and spoke of him often. Please see attached photos and write if you like.

My heartfelt sympathy to the McKay family and friends in the loss of Joseph. I did not know Joseph, but my heart is broken and I am saddened for your loss of such a fine person and hero. May God bring you peace in your heart as you reflect on all the wonderful memories you hold so close. Please know that you are in my heart and prayers. My heart was touched by the many wonderful/beautiful things written about you. Joseph you are my hero and you will NEVER be forgotten.
I send each of you a hug from the most inner part of my heart.
Love and Peace
Tom

"TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS
OF THOSE YOU LEAVE BEHIND
IS NEVER TO DIE"
~Robert Orr~

SFC MCKAY,
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF SERVING UNDER JOE IN IRAQ. I REMEMBER HIM AS BEING QUIET, BUT WHEN HE SPOKE IT WAS IMPORTANT. HE WAS KIND AND GENTLE AND ONE THAT COULD BE COUNTED ON. MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE MCKAY FAMILY ON THIS SAD DAY. LOST BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN!!! SEMPER FI

SFC Joseph McKay, will always be remembered as true gentleman who set aside any personal concern to do his duty.
Rest in peace my friend,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

To the family of Sgt. McKay, I am so sorry for your loss. May God bless you. I hope your memories bring you comfort and in time ease your pain. Rest In Peace Sgt. McKay, you will not be forgotten. You are an American Hero!

To the family and friends of fallen hero SFC McKay.....I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of many. He will not be forgotten. God Bless You.

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Joe, I just wanted to say thank you for your brave and honorable service to a grateful nation, a nation in mourning for our fallen hero’s. You like so many other soldiers chose to serve our nation when needed most and with your life you protected the very core of what America stands for. My nephew PFC Aaron J. Ward also made that sacrafice on 5/6/2008 when he was killed in action in Iraq. As I mourn for my nephew I mourn for you and so many other brave soldiers and know that you all will forever be in my thoughts and prayers, we as a nation will never forget you. I stand tall and salute you Joe and from the bottom of my heart I thank you for the nights we at home could sleep without fear and know that we are safe. To the McKay family, words cannot express the pain we now share, but our families will forever have a bond and we will be thinking of Joe and your family and will keep you in our thoughts & prayers. Please accept my heart felt condolences and my prayer that god help you cope with this tragic loss and may the memories of your HERO carry you through each day. From one Gold Star family to another!

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2008

To the McKay family,

I know there are no words to say, except how sorry I am for your loss. May you hold Josephs' memory in your heart and please remember he shall never be forgotten.

...For you every single soldier
Those who served so honorable
Your life was forever altered
While I’m home safe and free
I stand with grateful admiration
I stand respectful and so proud
I know I’m only a civilian
And I don’t even know if it’s allowed.

But I salute you; allow me the honor
to salute you with permission let me say
Even though I hold no rank know that from my heart
My humble gratitude comes from the deepest part.
I salute you.

Suzanne MacDaniel
A Proud Aunt
Sgt. David M.Fisher

Joseph, I want to thank you for the sacrifice you made for our freedom. rest easy soldier you will never be forgotten, to Joseph's family, I'm sorry to hear of your loss, may God be with you all in the days ahead. we don't know eachother but are now foever joined as on may 6 2008 my nephew PFC Aaron J Ward at the age of 19 while serving in Iraq was also added to the long list of American Hero's who gave their life for our country's continued freedom. may God bless us all and protect to so many other soldiers still fighting. rest in peace Joseph, America loves you... Proud Army Aunt

A true American hero.God bless Joseph and his family.

Rest in peace my brother. I remember Joseph when I joined the guard in 1985, we served with the 187th FA out of Bklyn, and from there we became friends. We also served at ground zero and West Point after Sep/11th. I will never forget the times we shared together in the Military, and how no matter what the day was loke you always found time to ride your bikes. God bless you for all you have done for our country and I thank your family for supporting you for all the years you served. You will be mised and i will never forget you. Rest in Peace

Sgt.Carlos R, Suarez
U.S.ARMY (RET)

All over the World people will remember the heroes that gave their lives to grant liberty and peace.
We are free because of the braves.
God bless you all.

Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. I know this a very hard time for your family and you are in my thoughts and prayers. I know he is looking down and smiling on an America that will forever be the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave because of American Heroes like him. I have written an original poem to honor all of our Fallen Heroes. I would like to share it with your family in his honor.

FALLEN HEROES

The Flags have been lowered to honor your sacrifice

A day to remember a fallen Hero

But you are more than a Hero to those left behind

You are a Father

A Brother

A Husband

A Wife

A Sister

A Mother

A best friend

A neighbor

An empty seat at the table

Although I have never met you,

I will never forget you

I will always remember the sacrifice made for me

I will pass it on to my Children

My Grandchildren

And to all who will listen

I will praise you and thank you until I take my last breath

I promise to hold sacred the freedom you have protected

As you look down from above on the Land of the Free

I hope that in your eyes I have earned the price you have paid for me

My prayers and thoughts are with you.
I know how you feel losing a "HERO",Becoming a "Gold Star" Mother myself on 25 March.. The sacrafice our sons and daughters are making on a daily basis should tell us all..These young HEROS knew full well what they were doing and did it proudly When you hug your loved ones tonight.... Remember... We also hugged ours and they were protecting you..We.. as Americans need to make the "Ultimate Sacrafice" by supporting all our military(HEROS)...the Proud Mom of SGT. Jason W. Swiger
5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne,Fort Bragg, N.C. KIA 3/25/007

My Deepest and Most Heartfelt Sympathy goes out to the family of Sgt. 1st Class Joseph McKay, with a Multitude of Thanks for this Brave Soldier's Courage, Dedication and Service to our Country and for Freedom.

The price Joseph and his family have paid, Will Never Be Forgotten. May he Rest Safely now, in God's Care and may the Peace of God be with the McKay family.
I am the Sister of a young hero, who made the Ultimate Sacrifice in Vietnam, many years ago.

"Surely He hath borne our grief,
And carried our sorrows."
~ Isaiah 53:4 ~

May you find comfort and strength, in the beautiful memories of times spent with Joseph.
Quietly and gently, may healing come, with each new day.
You are in my thoughts and my prayers.

REST IN PEACE SGT. 1ST CLASS MCKAY, TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS MAY THE MEMORIES OF THIS WONDERFUL SOLDIERS LIFE FILL YOUR HEARTS WITH BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES
GOD BLESS YOU

I am writing to offer my deepest sympathies to you and your family over the loss of your HERO Sgt 1st Class Joseph McKay. I lost my son in Iraq on May 6/2007, so I can well understand your pain of losing a loved one so dear.

I pray you will be guided by a higher power to give you peace, comfort and strength in this time.

Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit
GOD Bless you and your family. Your soldier was a true American Hero and we are all very proud of his service. He will not be forgotten!


(Proud mother of Sgt Joel W. Lewis, 5/20, 3-2 SBCT /Ft Lewis
KIA 5/6/07, Baqubah, Iraq)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXAX__FZYg4

My condolences to the family of 1st Class Joseph McKay. May they know that there are many, many people grieving with them and that care very deeply about them.

With the deepest regret, I have just learned of the death of Sergeant First Class McKay. As a Vietnam Veteran and the State Chaplain of the Georgia Society, Sons Of The American Revolution, I speak for our President, (Col.) Robert Towns and the more than 1,400 SAR members around the State of Georgia in humbly expressing the condolences of a grateful Society. Wrapped in the integrity of service to our nation and the inestimable values of duty, honor and country, your American hero stood on a wall of freedom for us all. This precious life, lived and lost in love of America, epitomized every attribute of patriotism the Sons Of The American Revolution hold dear. And, as Americans, we could never repay the debt we owe ..!! Nor the debt we owe you… the family of one of America's best ...!!!

From our military family to yours, we would like to thank SGT 1st Class Joseph McKay for his service and sacrifice to this great country, as well as send our deepest condolences for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

The Final Salute

“Brothers in Arms”, Military men and women down through the centuries, have traditionally exchanged “Hand Salutes” as a sign of recognition and as a way to render courtesy and respect one to another.

This “Hand Salute” is the last that we shall render to Sgt 1c Joseph McKay our Brother in Arms. To his family it symbolizes the love and respect that we have for Joe. And to Joe it is rendered as a symbol of honor and gratitude to thank him for the ultimate sacrifice he made in combat while serving the U.S. Army and his country. No greater love is shown than a man lay down his life for another. Joe, you are a brave Warrior, a true Patriot and a national Hero. With your passing, our Country has lost a National Treasure. We bid you a sad farewell. You will be dearly missed from among our ranks. Be at ease. Rest in Peace.

On behalf of the 1,385 members of Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion in Shreveport, Louisiana, I extend our sympathies and our condolences to Joe’s family and loved ones.

Dennis N. Engdahl, Commander, American Legion Post 14
5315 S. Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109