Nearly 20 years after Maj. Megan McClung was killed in Iraq, plans are underway to rename a post office for her in Mission Viejo, where she grew up.
Congress recently OK’d legislation, spearheaded by Rep. Young Kim, R-Anaheim Hills, to rename Mission Viejo’s Marguerite Post Office the “Major Megan McClung Post Office Building.” McClung, an alumna of Mission Viejo High School, was the first female Marine officer killed in the Iraq war.
“Megan’s life and memory will always be part of our family story, but now she has become family, directly or indirectly, to her community as well,” Michael McClung, her brother, said in an interview.
In her 11 years of service, McClung served in various public relations roles around the world, from the Carolinas to Iraq.
In December 2006, during her final month of deployment, after escorting journalists in Ramadi, Iraq, McClung was killed by a roadside explosive device. She was 34.
For her dedicated service, she received many decorations, including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal, according to the United States Naval Academy Memorial Hall.
Renaming the post office for his sister is “important for many reasons,” said Michael McClung.
“One, it honors a Marine who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation,” Michael McClung said. “Second, it honors Megan and the work she put in to ensure that our nation was safe while helping others in this world find freedom. Third, it provides for those impacted by Megan’s life the opportunity to be connected to the community.”
“Honoring Megan may seem an honor to one person,” Michael McClung said, “but by doing this one honor, Rep. Kim helps a nation honor all service members.”
Kim’s resolution passed out of the House on June 3 and is awaiting action in the Senate.
“She left us too soon, but she had a life well-lived and made a lasting impact on fellow Marines and our community through her service, integrity and tenacity,” said Kim. “Although we can never fully repay our fallen heroes and their families, I hope a Major Megan McClung Post Office in Mission Viejo will help honor her legacy and preserve her story for future generations in our community.”
Megan McClung’s mantra, her brother said, was “be bold, be brief, be gone.”
“Megan represents the dreams and ambitions of every young woman in Mission Viejo and Orange County and proves that if you see it and you believe it, you can be it,” Michael McClung said.
“I believe Megan would have wanted the community to help bring opportunities for women to follow their dreams of education, of family, of service, and for all the community to lift each other up and to support each other so that every person can achieve to their fullest a life filled with opportunity, community and service,” Michael McClung said.
“I think if every person could be bold,” Michael McClung said, “Megan would be excited to hear about their stories.”
Correction: This story has been updated to reflect Michael McClung is the brother of Megan McClung.
