McConnell Remembered as Hero Who Inspired Hope

Parsippany said its farewell to U.S. Army Sgt. Derek McConnell in the township Monday, paying last respects to the soldier who died March 18 of still-unreleased causes.

A steady stream of mourners visited the Par-Troy Funeral Home throughout the afternoon and evening as an open-casket viewing was held. Around the room were photo collages showing the many faces of Derek: The wounded warrior; the brand-new (healthy) soldier; the fiance; the son and brother; the boy; the man.

Much of the talk at the funeral home centered around the grace and bravery demonstrated by the young man as he dealt with massive health challenges over the two years preceding his death.

McConnell, 23, was  after being hit by an improvised explosive device while patrolling in the war-torn country. He lost his legs and suffered other serious injuries, having to spend more than a year—and to undergo 33 surgeries—at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

By all accounts—and by his own recounting—he had to battle mightily and overcome many obstacles and setbacks. His Team Derek Facebook page, tended by his mother, Siobhan Fuller-McConnell, and his high school sweetheart, Krystina Dressler, presented profiles in courage—his and theirs—as they recounted the ups and downs of McConnell's recovery and the strength he showed in meeting challenge after challenge.

The hard work paid off. In time, the young man grew stronger and stronger. His recovery progressed to the point where he, on prosthetic legs, could use crutches. Finally, he was allowed to leave the hospital.

He returned home, to his aunt's house in Parsippany, in late 2012, and was given a hero’s welcome. 

McConnell and Dressler were moving their six-year love story forward: They had become engaged in October 2011. Months ago the pair competed against other military couples in the "Operation Tie the Knot" online contest and won a dream wedding. In February, Dressler blogged about finding her wedding dress. It seemed the couple were finally getting their happy ever after.

And then the wounded warrior's health made a sudden about face. 

Many at Monday's viewing commented on the seeming unfairness of it all.

U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, himself a veteran, recalled getting to know McConnell.

"I remember I ran to him first when he came over from Germany, and I visited him at Bethesda," the congressman said. "He was barely alive.  And then he recovered and was becoming robust, getting married and all sorts of happy things were ahead. He looked healthy. Living here with his aunt, the community that looked after him...

"It's a real shame." 

U.S. Air Force Reserves First Sgt. James Vigilante of Parsippany was serving at Kandahar Airport in Afghanistan when he played an important role in the Derek McConnell story.

"I was working the night we took him off the helicopter in Afghanistan not realizing he was from my hometown," Vigilante told Patch. "I found out when I got home, and I spoke with his mom subsequent to that. I told her that the night we took him off the helicopter, we gave him last rites. I didn't know he was Derek McConnell. Then I see this kid on [the] back deck [at his aunt's], enjoying his life.

"[His death] is just totally sad, I am heartbroken by it.  ... I think he gave a lot of people hope."

That was evident in conversations at Monday's wake. Many in attendance remarked on how McConnell inspired them never to give up. He stood tall in the eyes of many as a symbol of determination, tenacity and persistence. 

He is called a hero by his fellow servicemembers. Veterans and active soldiers—including Montville's Lance Crpl. Marine Adrian Simone, another wounded warrior who lost his legs to an IED—came in large numbers to pay tribute to their fallen brother.  A private military ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery was held for McConnell last Wednesday.

A final farewell takes place Tuesday, when McConnell's funeral takes place in his other hometown, North Caldwell. A mass of Christian burial will be held at Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church, 359 Central Ave. 

According to Fuller-McConnell, burial will take place at New Jersey's Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington. She wrote on Facebook that "he will be in an area with other soldiers and those lost on 9/11."