By LISA NICELY & JARED ORZOLEK
nicely@crecsent-news.com; orzolek@crescent-news.com
McCLURE " A flag-lined main street leads to two marquees stating a town's grief " "Support Our Troops: Remember Kevin's family in prayer" and "Rest in Peace Kevin."
Pilot Kevin Sonnenberg, 41, of McClure, died Friday morning when the F-16 he was flying crashed shortly after takeoff from Balad Air Base in central Iraq. Sonnenberg was a member of the 180th Fighter Wing based in Toledo. The unit is made up of pilots, mechanics, munition specialists, drivers, engineers and more.
Sonnenberg was the only person in the plane at the time of the crash, which is under investigation.
"They're investigating the accident and we won't know the exact cause until that's completed. But it doesn't appear to be hostile fire," said Col. Thomas Deall, a spokesman in the region for the U.S. Central Command Air Forces.
Sonnenberg, 41, was the son of Marvin and Jean Sonnenberg of McClure and newly married to his wife, Lindsay, according to Galen Houser, past commander of the McClure American Legion Post #332.
The family has asked not to be contacted by the media.
Houser said the Legion flag was flying at half mast Saturday as the close-knit McClure community grieved for its loss.
"The town is all sad, but we feel Kevin died for a good cause," Houser said. "He was just an All-American man. He was a good family man and we are very proud of him."
Sonnenberg leaves behind three sisters, his parents and his wife, according to Houser.
Houser described Sonnenberg as a man who served multiple tours overseas as a member of the 180th Fighter Wing and spoke to area school children about his military service. In 1997, he helped enforce the no-fly zone over parts of Iraq. He was also a pilot for Delta Airlines.
"He was proud to be an American and proud to fight for his country," Houser said.
Houser also said Sonnenberg would fly over Henry County when piloting practice flights in northwest Ohio airspace.
"He'd fly over here when he was getting his hours in. He'd do circles so we knew it was him," Houser said.
"He loved to fly his airplane and he loved his country."
Houser said the McClure American Legion Post members will be present when Sonnenberg is laid to his final rest.
"We will be there as a group. We are a close knit family. We are going to do everything we can for the family," Houser said.
Many residents of McClure stated their support for Sonnenberg's family.
"We offer our condolences to the family," said Marlo Kirn, who was working at McClure Hardware.
"It's a sad thing," said Rollie Ruskey, who knows the family. "They're good people. It's too bad. It's this war. Everyday somebody's mom or dad is hearing this news. It's just too bad."
A resident who asked only to be identified as Darlene said she heard Sonnenberg was "a very good kid."
"I know what his family is going through I have a son who will be going over there. It scares the hell out of me."
Henry County's elected officials also expressed sadness at the loss of one of the county's military servicemen.
Henry County Commissioner Tom Von Deylen, who is acquainted with the Sonnenbergs, said the board wished to express condolences to the family.
"Kevin was a very nice man and comes from a very nice family. He will be missed," Von Deylen said.
Residents said Sonnenberg frequented the McClure Radish Festival. Representatives for the festival were asked by the family not to comment on Sonnenberg's passing.
Henry County Commissioner Richard Bennett said the loss of the pilot has left many members of the county with an "empty" feeling in their heart.
"I ask the Lord's blessing on that family in this great time of loss. I thank them for giving their son in service to our country," Bennett said.
Sonnenberg is the third person from the area to die in Iraq. At least 3,522 U.S. millitary personnel have died since the beginning of the Iraq war, according to an Associated Press Count.
The loss of an F-16 is not common in Iraq. The last crash was on Nov. 27, 2006.