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DEL.ICIO.USSgt. Dennis Merck: Loved country, military
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When Staff Sgt. Dennis Paul Merck moved into a new home with his family this summer, there was one improvement that couldn’t wait.
Family photo
Staff Sgt. Dennis Paul Merck, a graduate of Stone Mountain High School, sits with his children (from left) Nicholas, 17; Jacob, 10; and Mackenzi, 15.
“The first thing he said was, ‘I want a huge flagpole for the front yard,’ ” said his wife, Tanya Merck. So she bought him a 20-foot pole and he put it up right away.
Merck, an Evans resident and graduate of Stone Mountain High School, died in Iraq on Thursday. His wife remembers him as a patriotic man who loved his country and the military.
Merck, 38, joined the Georgia National Guard around the start of the year though he knew he might get sent to war.
He ended a 12-year career in the regular Army in March 2002 because his wife and children were tired of moving so much, but he ended up missing his life in the military. Tanya Merck said she had to support his decision.
“He loved the regiment, he loved the structure, the whole stability of what the military offered. He didn’t feel like he was a complete person without that in his life,” she said in a telephone interview Sunday. After he signed up for the Guard, she said, she could tell that he once again felt like he had a real purpose.
Merck, a diesel mechanic in civilian life, was called up to join the 48th Brigade Combat Team and arrived in Iraq a little more than a month ago. He died due to a “nonhostile” gunshot wound, Army officials said. His death is being investigated, and officials said Sunday they had no additional details.
Merck’s death was the 22nd among members of the 48th Brigade since the Georgia-based unit was mobilized in January. He was assigned to the 648th Engineer Battalion.
Tanya Merck, 35, said Army officials told her that her husband died at his base, Camp Striker, and suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. She has heard rumors that he might have been cleaning his gun.
The Mercks met as teenagers at Stone Mountain High School. She was 14 going on 15 and he had just turned 17. He asked her out but her father said she couldn’t date until her 15th birthday. So Dennis Merck went to meet her parents, and they were persuaded. “My dad said you could tell he had a good upbringing… . He was very respectful,” she said.
Dec. 5 would have been their 18th wedding anniversary. The couple had three children: Nicholas, 17; Mackenzi, 15; and Jacob, 10.
Merck’s deployment to Iraq was his first time in combat. Tanya Merck said he wouldn’t tell her much about his missions because he didn’t want to worry her. (Members of the 648th often are assigned the dangerous job of removing roadside bombs.)
He would tell her about how sand would get into everything and how the heat made him feel like somebody always was holding a blow drier over his head.
She got an e-mail from him about six hours before he died. He sent her the lyrics to a song, “It Takes Two” by country singer Chris Cagle. She said he asked her to always think about him when she heard it. And he mentioned that he’d sent her two letters.
At the time, she said, it seemed odd that he took the time to write a letter on paper when he was also e-mailing her. Now, she’s waiting for them to arrive.
“I guess God knew I needed something in writing, something I could read over and over, something I could have physically.”
Dennis Merck also is survived by his mother, Retha Merck of Snellville; and brothers, Darren of Loganville and Bryan of Las Vegas. Funeral arrangements are pending.
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Comments
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By christy
October 23, 2005 10:03 PM | Link to this
To the Merck Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I wish that I could offer something more to help you through this time in your life. Christy Bentjen
By Another 48th Wife
October 23, 2005 10:16 PM | Link to this
To the Merck Family:
My heartfelt prayers to all of you. I hope and pray that you will be able to find peace.
By Metzger Family
October 23, 2005 10:28 PM | Link to this
God Bless your family and the sacrifice you have made. This country honors your hero.
By Elaine
October 23, 2005 11:43 PM | Link to this
Our prayers are with you for your loss-what a wonderful man he was. Please know that he will never be forgotten and we are so humbled for what he stood for and what he was doing for us.
Elaine
By Terry
October 24, 2005 09:13 AM | Link to this
You are all in my prayers that God will hold you close and comfort you, and give you peace.
By Jackie
October 24, 2005 09:37 AM | Link to this
To the Merck Family:
I can’t imagine your pain during this time, but your husband was a hero and I know your children will continue to be shining examples of his life on earth. God Bless You for the sacrifices you endured.
By Kat Orr in Loganville
October 24, 2005 09:59 AM | Link to this
Dearest Merck Family ~
I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. My heart cries with you and with all the members of our 48th!!!!!! {{{hugs}}} Please know that I am holding you all close to my heart and in my prayers!!!!!
To any of our Heroes there in the 48th who may happen to read this ~ THANK YOU for your service!!!! We truly appreciate all you do for us. The decision to serve our country comes with great sacrifice on many levels ~ and I want you all to know how very grateful our family is.
Hugs and love to all of you…hang in there!!!!
“Momma Kat” & Hubby jeff & all 4 kidz
By Tina Whindleton
October 24, 2005 10:05 AM | Link to this
You are all in my prayers!
By debbie gavin
October 24, 2005 10:48 AM | Link to this
All our prayers and thoughts are with you. God Bless You all, Love the Gavin’s from New York
By O'Neal Family
October 24, 2005 11:25 AM | Link to this
Thank you for your tremendous sacrifice. May God comfort your family during this time.
By Jim Duffel
October 24, 2005 03:24 PM | Link to this
My sympathies go out to you and your family. I have recently returned from Iraq, March, to be exact. Only 10 days before we were to leave Iraq I lost a very dear friend to nonhostile gunshots. May God be with you and give you strength and comfort. He obviously died what he enjoyed doing. Stay strong.
By Sam Smith
October 24, 2005 06:18 PM | Link to this
As a US army veteran, my thoughts and prayers go out to the Merck family. I believe that this country has been made better by the ultimate sacrifice that our fallen heroes have made for us. Let us not forget the unwaivering support that the families give to there loved ones while serving. I salute you SSgt Merck you will never be forgotten. Always remember that each time that flag waves,SSgt merck made it possible. God Bless America
By ARMY WIFE
October 25, 2005 12:27 AM | Link to this
MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN.GOD PLEASE COMFORT THEM.GOD SAID WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT. HE IS A HERO. REST IN PEACE.
By Kelly; Duluth
October 25, 2005 01:34 AM | Link to this
If you’re like me here in Georgia and sometimes get confused by the differences in media coverage from Iraq, read this post. Two different journalists, Tom Lasseter from Knight-Ridder and Juliet Macur from the New York Times, provide totally different perceptions from the same place, Muqdadiyah, at almost the same time.
A Tale of Two Miqdadiyahs
By 48th Mother
October 25, 2005 08:31 AM | Link to this
Our deepest sympathy to the Merck family. Please know that we all stand beside you and hold your hand, if only in spirit. May God Bless and help you during this most difficult time.
By Cindy Sammons
October 25, 2005 08:41 AM | Link to this
OH MY Tanya, I am so sorry, I was just asking about yall the other day. If there is anything I can do for you please call.
With all my love
Cindy
By TODD
October 25, 2005 10:40 AM | Link to this
my brother supports the 48th, at fort striker.so may i say from one to another, may God Bless You and your family! we all are praying for you and your family. Stay atrong in the Lord and HE WILL PROVIDE!!! WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE, BUT WITHOUT HIM NOTING IS POSSIBLE!!!! may i say THANK YOU to you and your family for your husband DEDICATION TO SERVE HIS COUNTRY WITH PRIDE.
By Deborah Johnson Huff
October 25, 2005 10:48 AM | Link to this
My thoughts and prayers are with the Merck family. I grew up with this family in Stone Mountain and knew his Mom and Dad real well. I know he is a good person and came from a good family and will be missed terribly. Just keep the faith and one day you will met again.
God Bless you all! Deborah
By MARIA WARREN
October 25, 2005 03:19 PM | Link to this
MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH THE MERCK FAMILY. MARIA WARREN(ENGLAND)
By Spc Renkica Phillips
October 25, 2005 04:43 PM | Link to this
First of all I want to show my up most respect for my falling comrade. Even though, I didn’t know him, apart of my heart is broken due to the fact that he was apart of my family(Army).During each day of one’s career we are met with obstacles, sometime obstacles that threaten our lives but we still push ourselves on to make this world a better place. Not for ourselves but for the future(Our children, and grandchildren).So don’t worry he’s in a better place, he fought very hard and stayed in the race for a long time. Some may think that a month wasn’t a long time before his life ended in Iraq, but to me a second is a long time to spend in a war zone. So know that he will be dearly missed, we’ll keep you in our prayers. The one thing that catches my eye is when one of the soldiers from the Atlanta metro area dies. It feels like it really strike home, especially knowing that my plane leaves in a couple of months. But I will survive, the death of Merck, inspires me to keep pushing my self!
Spc Renkica Phillips US Army 988th Military Police Co. Fort Benning , GA
By Carlos and Fannie
October 25, 2005 07:22 PM | Link to this
Fannie and I loved Dennis. He will be greatly missed. May God grant the family the peace and grace to continue in his absence. Dennis will always be apart of our church and life.
By Julie
October 26, 2005 07:27 AM | Link to this
I graduated from SMHS in 1986 and felt an instant connection with you. My husband returned in February from a one year tour in Iraq. Know that my entire families thoughts and prayers are with you.
By Jennifer
October 26, 2005 04:13 PM | Link to this
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers, and I thank you for husband’s dedication in his life for this country’s freedom.
God Bless You
By John Smith
October 26, 2005 11:07 PM | Link to this
I was a childhood friend and neighbor of Dennis. I am proud of Dennis and what he has accomplished. Unfortunately I have not seen him in years. I can’t imagine how the family is coping with his death. I pray that the Lord give the Merck family peace, and they can feel God’s love and comfort during this time. Thank You Dennis for your sacrifice. So, we can have freedom, and rest our head at night knowing our country offers the best protection. I will truly miss you! Your Friend, Lt. John Smith Gwinnett County Fire Dept.
By Lori DeFoor
October 27, 2005 11:07 AM | Link to this
Dennis and I are first cousins. I want to say to all that did not know him, you would have loved him. What a wonderful person he was. A child could not ask for a better father, a mother could not have asked for a better son and a wife could not have askd for a better husband. Dennis was a family man with a huge heart. Our family will be lost without Dennis.
By Chasity
October 28, 2005 12:55 AM | Link to this
Tanya, Nick, Jacob, & Mackenzi I have no words to say but Thank you. Our family is a military one. We have lost many heros to the life. I am here for you all. I am sorry for not being able to be there but know I am in spirit. Granny has made his coming home a perfect one I am sure. From my family to yours I love you cousin! The next family reunion will not be the same without Dennis. I’ll be missin him for sure. Love always, Chasity
By Keith D. Curd
October 31, 2005 02:18 AM | Link to this
To the Merck Family, My heart goes out to you all along with my prayers. I had known SSG Merck from trainning that we had went through at Ft. Drum Ny. I remember his quiet leadership style that he showed in getting the job done. He was well respected by all those who work with him and who was around him. The Group picture that we all took is a reminder to me how dedicated and honorable that you husband/father/brother/son…was. WE will all miss him dearly….Continued prayers will be lifted up for all of you………….SSG Curd