Kenneth VanGiesen

Staff Sgt. Kenneth VanGiesen, age 30, of Kane, Pennsylvania, was killed on July 18, 2011, near Bagram, Afghanistan, when his vehicle struck a roadside bomb.

He was serving with the Pennsylvania Army National Guard's 131st Transportation Co., 213th Area Support Group.

Kenneth had previously stated that he was proud to join the National Guard, like his father before him.

Kenneth was living in Erie where he was working with the National Guard, with whom he served 12 years.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe,
pray for Kenneth

Kenneth was a 1999 graduate of the Kane Area High School. After enlisting in the Pennsylvania National Guard as a fuel and electrical systems repair specialist in 1999, he went on to become a heavy-vehicle driver, light-wheeled vehicle mechanic, and armament repairman.

He was on his fourth active-duty tour. He previously served in Germany from 2002 to 2003, Iraq from 2005 to 2006 with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 2009 with the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

His awards include two Army Commendation Medals, Combat Action Badge, two Iraq Campaign Medals, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation and two Navy Unit Commendations.

Military officials describe him as an enthusiastic and dedicated soldier who never shied away from the call to duty.

Let us pray to God the Father, Jesus, all of the saints and all of the angels that Kenneth VanGiesen is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.