Remember Our Heroes
Army Specialist Brock L. Bucklin, 28, of Grand Rapids, Michigan
Spc Bucklin was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; died May 31 of a non-combat related cause in Balad, Iraq.
Accident in Iraq kills Caledonia man
Dawn Bucklin was on the phone with one of her sons, a soldier stationed in Germany, when two Army officers approached her home with tragic news about her other son: Army Cpl. Brock Bucklin had been killed in an equipment accident in Iraq.
Bucklin died Wednesday in Balad, Iraq, "of a noncombat related cause," the Defense Department said.
The accident occurred when soldiers were lifting equipment and a chain hoist broke, striking Bucklin in the neck and fatally injuring him, said his father, Duane Bucklin, of Caledonia.
Brock Bucklin, 28, joined the Army in August 2004, about a year after his twin brother, Brad, did.
"Were they close? When one brother follows his brother into the Army a year later, I guess they are close," Duane Bucklin said.
Brock Bucklin, who graduated in 1997 from Forest Hills Central High School, thrived in the Army, Duane Bucklin said.
"He had worked at different jobs and never figured out what he wanted to do," his father said. "The Army really seemed to work for him."
Brock Bucklin entered Iraq in December and often was assigned to help set up and maintain communications, his father said.
He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division in Fort Carson, Colo.
Dawn Bucklin said her sons had told her not to worry about them as long as the military didn't show up at her door.
"Oh, my gosh, the military is at the door," she recalled telling her son on the phone Wednesday when she saw the two officers approach.
Brad Bucklin plans to escort his brother's remains home from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
"He and Brock made a promise if anything ever happened, they would carry their brother off the plane," Dawn Bucklin said. "He did not want to break that promise."
Army Specialist Brock L. Bucklin died on 05/31/06 of non-combat related causes.
6 comments:
I just want Everyone to know that Brock was a very special person always caring about other before him self.. He will Never be forgoten he will be in my heart and thoughts forever...
I was there the day Brock was injured, a day I'll never forget. Brock was very special he went above and beyond to take care of his fellow soldiers.He will always have a special place in my heart and many others.
I too was on the same DOB as Brock! He took good care of our team while on that FOB. We saw him that morning at chow and when we heard of the news, we were in shock. He was a soldier who served proudly and did everything to the best of his abilities! Proud to have known him! RIP in Brother, we got this!
It's a small world. I found a challenge coin inscribed with his name today with little chance to find it's rightful owner. Please, could someone that knew him relay some stories of him that I might read to the kids before lights-out?
In advance, thanks.
I miss my twin brother everyday. Life is still hard to live with out him. Life is short... You are Never Forgotten!!! Love ya phone:719-250-7336.
I am a school teacher and I read off a different Hero of the day. Today 5/1/2023 was Spc. Brock Bucklin's day. The classes and myself greatly appreciate the sacrifice his family has made and the greatest gift he gave.
RIP Spc. Bucklin and God Bless America!
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