Tyler Ziegel (1982-2012)
Tyler was born on October 16th, 1982, in Peoria Illinois and was the eldest son of Jeffrey and Rebecca Ziegel and elder brother of Zachary J. Ziegel. He was raised in the small Midwest town of Metamora Illinois. Tyler spent most of his childhood as most kids did: going to school, playing recreational sports and running around with his friends. You could say Tyler had a good ol’ small town America upbringing. His Mom worked at the local diner and quilt shop, and his Dad was a Union Operator. He and his brother, Zach were like typical brothers with plenty to argue and scrap about, but at the end of the day Tyler loved his younger brother and Zach admired Tyler. During his high school years Tyler excelled in his vocational classes and earned Vo-Tech student of the year during his senior year in 2001. It was also during his senior year he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. He would ship off to boot camp in November of 2001; destination: MCRD San Diego.
Upon completion of Boot Camp, Marine Combat Training, and Engineer School Tyler would report back to Peoria’s Charlie Company 6th Engineer Support Battalion. Within a year, Tyler and Charlie Co were activated, with a ticket to Sunny Iraq in order to take part in the initial invasion of Iraq in March of 2003. The deployment lasted around 7 months. Tyler and his platoon did various Combat Engineer Missions, that culminated in a mission to Baghdad. Tyler and most of Charlie Co returned to the states the summer of 2003.
Just over a year later, Charlie Co would get activated once again; destination: Sunny Iraq. August of 2004, Tyler and Charlie Co would arrive at Al Asad Airbase in northwestern Iraq. This deployment would prove to be far different than his 1st deployment and Tyler and his platoon would eventually be tasked as the mine clearing detachment for convoys leaving Al Asad. On December 22nd, 2004, Tyler and 6 other Marines in a 7-ton truck were on a convoy between al-Qaim and al-Asad. A vehicle packed full of explosives approached and without warning intentionally crashed into their 7-ton truck and exploded. Every Marine on that truck was injured, with most seriously to critically injured.
Tyler would be medevacked to Germany, and then promptly back to the States. He was sent to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio Texas. The outlook was bleak, but by the grace of God and the skillful work done by the Doctors and Nurses, Tyler would survive! Although Ty’s attitude and courage weren’t damaged; his body was. He sustained 3rd degree burns on his head, neck, and arms. His left arm was later amputated below his elbow, and three fingers from his right hand were lost. They amputated his big toe and re-attached it to function as his thumb on his right hand. He was blind in one eye and had the front part of his skull removed due to shrapnel wounds. His ears, nose, and lips were also burnt off.
Tyler returned home to Metamora in the fall of 2006. Tyler could no longer work, and after a lengthy battle with the VA, he received the benefits he undoubtedly earned. Tyler grinded through his new life, everyday a new battle for him and his family. Through all his trials and tribulations Tyler always wore a smile and maintained an infectious attitude. He was a true hero and the model of what all American sons ought to be.
Sadly, On December 26, 2012, Tyler passed away as a direct result from his injuries.
He will be forever remembered as a small-town boy, with the heart of a lion. It is our life’s mission to ensure his legacy is carried far into the future. So, that future generations understand the type of sacrifice it takes to remain a free nation, and the type of Americans that are responsible for that Freedom.