First Nation soldier killed in Basra bomb blast

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Members of Thunderchild First Nation are mourning the loss of Sgt. Robert Christopher (Horse) McCoy, who lost his life on Sept. 7 while working for a private security company in Iraq.

"There was a convoy going from the airport in Basra to the regional embassy office in Basra, and he was in the lead vehicle of the convoy," said Alan Ptak, senior vice-president for government relations for Triple Canopy, the Virginia-based security company that employed McCoy and the three other men killed. "And the vehicle basically was overturned by an explosion caused by a roadside IED, the improvised explosive device."

Also killed in the explosion were Ronald Hyatt, Robert Pole and Ryan Young.

McCoy, 25, had begun working for Triple Canopy in December 2004 and just started his assignment in Iraq in August, Ptak said.

McCoy was born in Texas but had dual Canada/U.S. citizenship. Like his father, he was a member of Thunderchild First Nation. He spent his early childhood in Texas, but then moved to Saskatchewan, living in North Battleford and Regina and on Thunderchild and Moosomin First Nations.

McCoy was a member of the Canadian Forces, then moved to the United States and joined the Marines. He was trained as a machine gunner, then joined the Special Forces Recognizance Unit. After two tours of duty in Iraq, McCoy chose to return to the country in the employ of Triple Canopy.

"The four security contractors were valued members of the State Department family and our diplomatic security team in Baghdad. These brave men died in service to their country and were killed by terrorists seeking to destroy the framework of democracy for Iraq. We condemn these terrorist actions in the strongest of possible terms," said U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack in a statement prepared shortly after the four men were killed. "On behalf of the Department of State and all our employees, I extend our deepest sympathies to the families of these victims who have paid the ultimate price in service to our nation."

McCoy's last visit to Thunderchild took place last spring when he joined his great-grandfather, George Horse, a decorated veteran of the Second World War and the Korean War, in the grand entry of the annual Thunderchild powwow. The two men were honoured during the event.

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) Vice- chief Lawrence Joseph met McCoy at the powwow and was with him and his great-grandfather during the grand entry.

"And the young fellow was pushing his great-grandfather, who is in a wheelchair, proudly around the grand entry at that time ... He was quite the proud, young soldier," Joseph said.

The news of McCoy's death came as a shock to members of the Thunderchild community, said band councillor Ira Horse.

"It really takes its toll on the community. George Horse is a really well decorated veteran ... and so known in our community. And everybody was aware of his great-grandson going over to Iraq. It was like a bombshell being dropped when we got the word," she said. About a dozen members of McCoy's family from Thunderchild made the four-day trip to Texas to be there for McCoy's funeral.

McCoy and his family were honoured during a ceremony held at the Sakicawasihk Powwow in North Battleford on Sept. 10.

"They had George Horse there and his family and about 25 or 30 veterans surrounding him for support. It was very touching. There was also an honour song, a victory dance, a moment of silence," Joseph said.

McCoy will be honoured again on Dec. 28 during a round dance on Thunderchild being held to honour veterans in the community.

"Thunderchild is really famous for honouring their veterans. We've really honoured our veterans throughout, and this round dance is intended for that, but there'll be a special for Robert McCoy as well," Ira Horse said.

The members of Thunderchild First Nation have a proud tradition of serving in the military-a tradition that began with people lke George Horse and that is being carried on today by people like McCoy. And, despite the recent tragedy, that tradition isn't likely to end. In fact, another member of the First Nation, Crystal Paddy-Ira Horse's niece-who serves with the U.S. army, will be heading off to Iraq shortly. After McCoy's death, the realities of what Paddy could be facing there have been driven home.

"There's reluctancy. There's fear for everybody," Ira Horse said. "My father-in-law, I told him, she's going to be working in the first aid area. And he says no matter where you go in Iraq, it's dangerous. He served through the whole Second World War and then he went to the Korean War. He's a highly decorated veteran, so he's aware of what she may encounter up there."

Although this time has been difficult for McCoy's family and community, Ira Horse wanted to thank the members of the community at large for their outpouring of assistance and support.

"There was a lot of help and the calls were flooding in," she said. "And the family never had much of an opportunity to thank all these people."