EP 50 Brenna A "Crew" In Honor of Ian M. Tawney-Hard as a Forge

WARNING: Language -Captain Sean Dwyer (Episode 11), Brandon Ferris, Deckhand on the Brenna A (2 time Purple Heart), Jake Tawney, Wheelhouse Producer and Camera man (Gold Star Brother), try to picture the link between the world we live in on the Bering Sea and those who serve, this podcast will explain a bit of it. We are delving and stretching the boundaries of Bering Sea and Beyond on this one, take a listen and enjoy. Donate to regorged.org

 

Marine recalled as the ultimate explorer

By Alyssa Karas

The (Portland) Oregonian via AP

PORTLAND, Ore. — Marine Sgt. Ian M. Tawney always maintained close ties to his roots in the small town of Dallas, but even from an early age, he loved to explore.

Tawney’s strong sense of independence manifested itself when he organized a yearlong trip to Argentina at age 15. And his enthusiasm for life became evident when he returned, spouting fluent Spanish.

“As a very young child, he had a very strong sense of self and was very decisive about what he wanted to do with his life,” said his mother, Theda Tawney.

So when Tawney, 25, joined the Corps five years ago, his work ethic quickly distinguished him, and he won several awards.

But his life was cut short Oct. 16 when he was conducting combat operations and killed when an improvised explosive device blew up in Afghanistan’s Helmand province.

Friends and family remember Tawney as a devoted husband, a loyal friend and an avid outdoorsman.

“It’s hard when you’ve lost somebody and you try to define who they were,” said his father, John Tawney.

Tawney was soon to be a father himself. His wife, Ashley, is expecting a baby girl in January.

“He was honored to be a member of the Marine Corps,” his father said. Among Tawney’s numerous awards are the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal and Navy Unit Commendation.

“Even though he didn’t like to call attention to himself, he was a natural leader,” his mother said.

Tawney fought in Iraq in 2007. He served with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Tawney was the 10th Marine from his battalion to be killed in 10 days. Tawney was the 26th Oregonian to die in the Afghanistan conflict.

Tawney was a top student in squad leader school, and he graduated as the honor man of his class, his father said. He had wanted to make the Marines his career.

“He just knew what he wanted in his life, and he went for it,” his mother said. “He was a man of great integrity.”

His wife described him as outgoing and full of life. He loved hunting, snowboarding and riding motorcycles.

“He loved to laugh,” Ashley Tawney said. The two met in preschool and stayed friends throughout high school. Finally, when both of them were working at a retirement facility, they began dating. Tawney was excited about the arrival of their daughter.

“It’s going to be a real blessing to have a part of him through her,” Theda Tawney said.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Tawney is survived by his brothers, Shayne Chandler and Jacob Tawney, and sisters Stacy Barham, Karin Lamberton and Karla Cowan; and his grandmothers, Leona Smith and Kathryn Tawney.