A native of America’s North Shore was killed by a suicide bomber while attending a meeting on June 26. Marine Captain Philip. J. Dykeman of Brockport and two other officers were killed when a suicide bomber attacked the tribal council meeting that they were attending. Nearly 20 others were also killed. Al Qaeda in Iraq has taken responsibility.

Reuters:

The self-styled Islamic State in Iraq, started by al Qaeda and fellow Sunni militant groups, said in a statement it was behind Thursday’s attack by a bomber wearing an explosive belt that killed more than 25 people and wounded many others.

Iraqi police put the death toll at 20 people and the U.S. military said three U.S. Marines and two interpreters had been killed. The bomber struck a tribal council meeting in the town of Garma, 30 km (20 miles) northwest of Baghdad.

Department of Defense:

The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of three Marines who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The following Marines died June 26 while supporting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq:

Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai, 42, of Pago Pago, American Samoa.

Capt. Philip J. Dykeman, 38, of Brockport, N.Y.

Cpl. Marcus W. Preudhomme, 23, of North Miami Beach, Fla.

The Marines were assigned to 2d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3rd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Three Multi-National Force – West Marines and two interpreters were killed in action against an enemy force in Anbar Province June 26.

The names of the deceased are being withheld pending next of kin notification and release by the Department of Defense.