This past week Mars Hill Church was devastated to hear that we lost one of our own serving in Afghanistan. Sgt. Andrew H. McConnell was a new husband, a soon-to-be father, a son, a brother to 5 sisters, and a member at Mars Hill Church in Olympia. His life was taken on Monday, September 14 by an IED while he was on patrol.

Here is the funeral information released by the family:

Tuesday, September 22nd at 1:00pm
Kent Covenant Church in Kent, WA

Please wear red, white, and/or blue. We want to celebrate Andrew’s life and his service to our country. The burial will be at Tahoma National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Andrew had requested donations to the Wounded Warrior Project. (You may also call Edline-Yahn and Covington Funeral Home for information: 253-630-2736)

We continue to ask that, as a community, Mars Hill Church honor Andrew by rallying around his wife and unborn child. We can do that through prayer, service, and generosity. You can share communication and coordinate service or generosity on The City or Facebook.

There is also a memorial fund to help Sarah and their baby through this very difficult time. If you would like to contribute, you can stop by any Key Bank branch. If you do not live near a Key Bank, you can send a donation to:

Key Bank
505 West Meeker Street
Kent, WA 98032

As a glimpse into the legacy that this man has left, one of his fellow soldiers in Afghanistan posted this comment on the Facebook memorial page:

Mac was one of my best friends out here in this company and still is. He will be missed so much. He was an inspiration to everyone that came in contact with him. No matter what kind of day you were having, he always brought a better light to things. There is no one that I would rather have by my side out here. You will be missed by so many here and at home. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the family and the many of us that are hurting here without him.