Max Baucus’ Nephew Killed in Iraq
Marine Corporal Phillip Baucus died Saturday in Iraq. He was the nephew of Senator Max Baucus.
A nephew of Sen. Max Baucus serving in the Marines was killed in Iraq during the weekend, the senator’s office said Tuesday. Cpl. Phillip E. Baucus, 28, died Saturday during combat operations in Anbar province, the Department of Defense said. It did not immediately release further information.
In a statement, Baucus, D-Mont., said the family was “devastated by the loss.” “Phillip was an incredible person, a dedicated Marine, a loving son and husband, and a proud Montanan and American,” the senator said. “He heroically served the country he loved and he gave it his all.”
Phillip Baucus, of Wolf Creek, was part of a Marine Corps battalion based at Twentynine Palms, Calif. He was married last August at the ranch his parents operate between Helena and Great Falls.
Max Baucus voted to authorize war in Iraq in 2002. Earlier this summer, he joined other Democrats in voting to begin a phased redeployment of troops from the war-torn country by year’s end.
Sad news.
My condolences to the Baucus family. While it’s true that fewer Members of Congress and other major politicians who decide on wartime policy are themselves veterans or have family members in harm’s way than was the case in previous wars, many do have a personal stake.
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Can we all, for the sake of decency, not make this a political issue?
James – I appreciated your respectful approach to this story.
I too am impressed by the paucity of comments. God bless the Senator and his family.
Amen.
Also amen.
Too late unfortunately, the AP chose to make it political:
The Sentor’s vote for the war or redeployment is irrelevant to this tragic story. This hero’s death is notable due to his Uncle’s stature, but should not include any mention of the Senator’s actions. They are two different people.
God bless Corporal Baucus’ family. They should be proud of his dedication to service.
Now if only the AP and others would devote the same time eulogizing every soldier who dies, not just those with relatives in DC.
Michael: The names of all the dead soldiers are published from time to time. Certainly, they’re all honored in their local papers. That this Marine had a relative in the U.S. Senate is newsworthy, though.
The Senator’s vote for the war or redeployment is irrelevant to this tragic story.
Well, no. It’s not something to dwell upon right now, but the irony of voting for a war in which your son perishes is certainly newsworthy. It’s not like the AP quoted dueling experts on the merits of the war.
What’s ironic about it?