The Derrick -- KNOX - Members of the Knox community on Wednesday declared one of their own a true hero - the combat soldier Ross A. McGinnis who was killed in Iraq.

McGinnis, 19, represents the first death of a Clarion County resident serving in Iraq.

[image2] He was the son of Tom and Romayne McGinnis.

No formal plans for a memorial service have yet been announced.

A casualty assistance officer with the Department of Defense is handling the arrangements.

Those in Clarion County responded quickly to the news announced Tuesday, offering the family their immediate support and helping hands.

McGinnis died from injuries he suffered when a grenade was thrown into his vehicle in Baghdad.

"He was doing what he believed in," said Judy Zerbe of the county's veterans affairs office. "We feel very proud for him."

McGinnis was a 2005 graduate of Keystone High School, and his love of country was clear.

High school Principal Vicky Walters, who is acquainted with his family, said he had enlisted early in his senior year.

"Ross was a homegrown hero," she said.

He was focused on completing the requirements for graduation and then going to basic training.

McGinnis returned to Keystone in uniform after completing the training.

"It was apparent that he wore his country's uniform with pride," Walters said.

McGinnis was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, in Schweinfurt, Germany.

Walters said McGinnis was a gunner on a humvee.

"A grenade was dropped into the humvee from a rooftop," she said. "Ross was aware of the location where the grenade landed. He did not have time to throw the grenade out of the vehicle. Instead, Ross threw himself onto the grenade to prevent further loss of life of the four other individuals in the vehicle."

Zerbe said the county department, which is headed by VA director John Reed, plans to meet with the family at a later date to offer assistance.

She said she doesn't think the reality of the situation has sunk in yet for many.