Marine from Colonia Died Thursday in Afghanistan Helicopter Crash
U.S. Marine Corporal Kevin Reinhard, 25, perished in a helicopter crash Thursday in Afghanistan.
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One of six Marines killed Thursday when their helicopter crashed in Afghanistan was a Colonia resident.
U.S. Marine Corporal Kevin Reinhard, 25, was on a helicopter mission when the aircraft went down in the southern Afghani province of Helmand, according to a Huffington Post report. It was the deadliest attack against US military since August, when 30 American troops died after a Chinook helicopter was apparently shot down in Wardak province.
The report said there was no indication the helicopter was shot down.
Kathleen and James Reinhard, Kevin's parents who still live in the Colonia section of Woodbridge, were stunned by the news.
"I can't talk," whispered Kathleen as she was surrounded by loving friends and family.
His mother sobbed quietly as those around her tried vainly to comfort her in her grief as she whispered, "My son, my son" over and over again.
Kevin graduated from St. Joseph's High School in Metuchen in 2005, after which he went to Middlesex County College, where he majored in criminal justice. According to his Facebook page, he also attended Ramapo College.
After he joined the Marines, he worked in Afghanistan as a helicopter mechanic.
One man said that Kevin "was a fine marine and was extremely proud of the job he was doing. The last time I spoke with him he had nothing but good to speak of his job as a helicopter mechanic and what he was doing in Afghanistan.
"Kevin was a fine young man and will be sorely missed."
Mike Simpson
4:49 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Cpl. Kevin J. Reinhard will be Honored and Remembered on Sunday, September 30. 2012, when our team of active duty military will run one mile in his honor.
http://www.njrunforthefallen.org/cpl-kevin-j-reinhard.html
Always Honored - Never Forgotten
Deborah Bell
6:06 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Mike, can you email me at deborah.bell@patch.com. I'd like to talk to you about the run. Thanks.
whatever41
10:45 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
RIP, Marine.
Thomas Scarano
4:47 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
This is indeed a sad day.Kevin was a student of mine and we often talked about theMarineCorps. Semper Fidelis and may the angels be with him.
Mike Simpson
5:37 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Mr Scarano - it is probable that the mile run for Kevin will be in the Holmdel area on Sunday September 30, 2012. http://www.njrunforthefallen.org/cpl-kevin-j-reinhard.html.
More detail will follow soon...
Mike Simpson
2:32 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Visitation will be held on Saturday January 28, & Sunday January 29, 2-4 & 7-9 at Gosselin Funeral Home, 660 New Dover Road, Edison, NJ.
Kevin’s funeral will be held on Monday,January 30, 9:45am, at Saint Agnes Roman Catholic Church in Clark. Burial to follow at Saint Gertrude’s Cemetery, Colonia.
(In lieu of flowers, please make a charitable contribution to the Kevin J. Reinhard Scholarship Fund c/o Saint Joseph’s High School 145 Plainfield Ave, Metuchen, NJ; or to the American Legion T. Nulty Post 471 Blue Star Family Support Group 25 Brown Ave, Iselin, NJ.)
April Garland
9:12 am on Monday, January 30, 2012
In regards to Westboro Baptist Church protesting funerals, as submitted to the Topeka Capital-Journal:
Another article about military funeral protest by Westboro Baptist
Church...it got me thinking. They gabble on about how it's their Constitutional right to speak their piece, and how all the laws against these protests won't stop them. Well, it's time we change our battle tactics!
You need a permit to protest, correct? Let's start with: funeral protest permit,
$20K, to include the cute little metal pen they make for WBC; all applicable
time & distance rules. Additional police protection, street cleanup & removal of
WBC flyers from posts will be extra, to be billed after the event when costs are
tallied. I'd also insist on cash or certified bank check for the initial fee. Of
course, this rate does not include the largest cities like NYC, Los
Angeles...feel free to raise that starting rate to $50K, as your costs will
certainly be higher.
Cities, towns, villages, unincorporated hamlets-band together & make this
happen. Of course, this law would apply to anyone who wants to protest a military or private funeral.
It's time the taxpayers stood up & said, we're not paying for this. If WBC wants
to bring the circus to town, the show should be free for the community~it's a
good way for Westboro Baptist Church to fulfill the requirements of their
'Charity' nonprofit status.
@Catziiis
Barbara Fasanella
5:19 pm on Monday, January 30, 2012
RIP Cpl. Kevin Reinhard you are flying with the angels now. Semper Fi
Leaking Ink
9:16 am on Tuesday, January 31, 2012
My condolences to the family.