Advertisement Whitman-Hanson graduate's death in Afghanistan reopens old wounds By Alice Elwell, Enterprise Correspondent Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The death of a 1990 Whitman-Hanson Regional High School graduate has opened up old wounds for a family that lost another member in the run-up to the first Gulf war in 1990, our news partners at The Enterprise reported.Army Major Michael J. Donahue, 41, was killed Tuesday when a Taliban suicide bomber detonated at car bomb beside an international military convoy Donahue was riding in just outside a base in Kabul, Afghanistan.His sister, Joanne Donahue Nickerson, of Middleboro, was at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware when his remains were returned to the United States Wednesday evening.“Once we saw the flag draped over the box, it made it real,’’ Nickerson said.The Army welcomed Donahue in a beautiful, solemn ceremony, she said.In 1990, Donahue and Nickerson’s cousin, Marine Sgt. John Kilkus of Norwood, was killed in Operation Desert ShieldNOT Desert Stor. That was the actual war.. He left behind a daughter he had never met, Nickerson said.Kilkus, then-26, was one of the first U.S. casualties in the first Gulf war. He was one of eight Marines who were killed in October, 1990 when two helicopters collided during a nighttime training exercise over the Arabian Sea.For now, the family has happy times to remember. They gathered for a reunion this summer at their aunt and uncle’s home at Old Silver Beach on Cape Cod. Nickerson said the water was so warm all they did was swim, barbecue and eat. “We had a nice relaxing time hanging out with the family.”Nickerson said she and her brother had great fun tormenting his 18-year-old son about swimming and “Jaws.”“He wouldn’t go in the water,” she said with a laugh remembering the fun with her brother.She lovingly described her brother the paratrooper as 6-foot 5-inches of solid muscle who was the ultimate Red Sox fan. His talismans for three deployments included a tattered Red Sox hat and flag.Nickerson said the major was an avid runner who participated in Ultimate Marathons that went on for days with courses of more than 100 miles. He recently ran a sanctioned Boston Marathon in Afghanistan.Underneath all was a heart of gold, Nickerson said.“My brother would do anything for anybody. He was everyone’s best friend.”In addition to his wife Sherri and children, Victoria, Seamus and Bailey, Donahue is survived by his parents, Patricia and John Donahue, all residents of North Carolina.Nickerson said her brother was born at Goddard Hospital in Stoughton. After graduating from Whitman-Hanson High, he attended DeVry Institute of Technology in Columbus, Ohio, where he met his wife, Sherri.Nickerson said the major also attended Officer Candidate School.On Wednesday, the flag at the Whitman-Hanson High School was flown at half-staff in honor of its fallen graduate.Middleboro selectmen Chairman Allin Frawley announced the flags in Middleboro will be lowered to half-staff on Friday and Saturday in Donahue and his family.Donahue’s niece – Nickerson’s daughter – is member of Middleboro High School’s soccer team.“The girls soccer team paid tribute to Maj. Donahue yesterday and are working on a few things to show their teammate support,” Principal Paul Branagan saidOn Friday the school will observe a moment of silence in honor of Donahue, Branagan said.Donahue will be buried will full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia on a date to be announced.