PERU, ME, U.S.A.
U.S. ARMY
PFC, 1ST SQDN, 61ST CAV REG, 4TH BCT, 101st ABD(AIR ASSAULT), FORT CAMPBELL, KY
11/29/2010, NANGARHAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN
PFC Buddy W. McLain was born August 3, 1986 in Portland, Maine. Buddy McLain was a cavalry scout. He had deployed on August 24, 2010 which was his son Owen’s first birthday.
Buddy McLain was a graduate of Mountain Valley High School in Rumford, Maine, class of 2006.
Buddy McLain enlisted in the Army in May 2009. He wanted to make a better life for himself and his wife, Chelsea. Buddy and Chelsea were high school sweethearts. Buddy and Chelsea were married in Peru, Maine on March 11, 2009.
Buddy enjoyed riding dirt bikes and loved his Ford Mustang. He was an avid Yankees and Patriots fan. He enjoyed ice fishing, camping, playing his guitar, music especially AC/DC and Pink Floyd. The most important part of his life was spending time with family and friends. He cherished the time he spent with his wife and infant son Owen. PFC McClain wanted to become a Maine state police officer once he was honorably discharged from the Army.
I thought about how Buddy signed up to serve his Country shortly after 9/11 and how it takes a special person to make that decision especially being so young. I thought about how there were days while he and our other service members are overseas and they can’t slow down and they carry much more weight and continue on to complete their mission. I also looked around my team and thought about the mother, the father, the wife, the brothers of our fallen heroes that were continuing on without a complaint and how difficult not only that day must be but each day to press on. I hope you know that I will always hold a special place in my heart for you and your family and think of Buddy and his ultimate sacrifice daily and promise I will continue to tell his story to ensure he is never forgotten. Amanda E. Randall Excerpt from a posting on THE SUMMIT PROJECT, May, 2013