The Warriors Code, Part II

Tremendous story of the fighting spirit of our young Men and Women in the Armed Forces. Thanks TSO for the hanky alert, but it didn’t work.

Its just so beautiful to be reminded of what love looks like fleshed out, ya know?

I sure hope we will be saying:

Hello President Petreaus some day

🙂

Now that’s special, just wonderful. God bless you, brave one.

I’m of two minds here. Yes i cried.The strength of this man, his family, his friends and his Brothers, is humbling. Yet when I see how this country is turning away from such principled and valorous people, I wonder if America deserves such men. How in God’s name did we let our political structure become so corrupted? How did we allow people like Obama become our leaders? When men and women , like Brian Brennan, exist in this sad and confusing country , I have to wonder if we truly deserve such people. These people are the exact opposite of todays American culture. I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to follow the Lt. through the gates of hell. I would think twice of allowing our congress to order lunch.

All, The story is absolutely amazing and one that I completely understand why all the Airborne brothers feel it extra close to their heart. No denying that whatsoever. I truly consider him a brother-in-arms. However, I do have a question that may sound like I’m a bit of a chap-ass, so I’ll give a preemptive apology. But, why was he inducted in the NJ Hall of Fame and why was he inducted into the Citadel’s Arland D. Williams Society? I’ve lost a lot of brothers due to IED’s who have had very similar experience as Lt. Brennan but unfortunately did not make such a wonderful and tearjearking recovery. I ask because the Arland Williams Society is to “recognize Citadel graduates who have distinguished themselves through community service, heroism and bravery in their lives. The society is named for Arland D. Williams, Citadel Class of 1957, who died on Jan. 13, 1982 in the icy waters of the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. Williams is credited with saving five fellow passengers aboard Air Florida Flight 90 after it crashed into the 14th Street Bridge. Rather than take a life ring to save himself, he passed it on to five fellow passengers. He drowned before he could be rescued.” Again, I do not see the “community service, heroism and bravery” that he performed beyond that of any of his fellow combat soldiers or the fellow Marines that I served with or even an act that is in the spirit of Arland Williams who sacrificed his life to save others. I’ve tried to find out if there is a story or reason, beyond being injured and making a very inspirational recovery, but I haven’t found it. If his mother and father yelled “ice cream!” because that was his favorite food, rather than the General saying “Curahee”, would he still be recognized as he has been? Is the recognition simply because he responded to his brotherhood’s motto? In front of the General? Is he more deserving of this recognition than a soldier or Marine who was in a coma but awoke because he saw… Read more »

Holy shi’ite! Denis! Long time no see. We were talking at Milblog convention about how much we missed you bud.

Barrage MoveOn.org with this word.

Barrage their members with it.

They should be shamed at every opportunity.

Chris
I think in a way you’re illustrating the gap in perception between those who served and those who didn’t. Those of us who did have a different view of what’s common or uncommon, being surrounded by thousands of others doing exactly what we did as best as we could, among them are a handful of whom we are in awe. Since a huge percentage of people I know are GWoT vets or related to GWoT vets, to me that’s “common”.

What’s the percentage of Americans who are Iraq/Afghanistan vets? One tenth of one percent? Lower? It’s a large number, but a small percent. So 99.9 percent of Americans look at the minority, wonder if they’d have the “courage” to do what we did, and respond in various ways. To them, stepping on the plane bound for the battlefield is a noteworthy action. We complain about how freaking crowded the planes were.

Greyhawk, Completely understand your point, however, misses my question. If this was some mothers of America award given to him for being such a brave man who served his country, I wouldn’t have a second thought. I’ve seen plenty of awards given to soldiers and Marines who have been bashful to receive such awards due to the fact that they believe they are not worthy of such recognition when compared to their brethren. However, they end up participating in the award ceremony, because they understand that by participating, it helps the general population understand the broader sacrifice that the military is making in general. When non-military type organizations, secondary schools, elk clubs, my grandmother’s knitting circle, recognize soldiers and Marines for various things, I think the combat brother should be obliged to participate, because the group is trying to do what they can to recognize, and that in itself is a good thing. However, when a state has to decide who goes into their Hall of Fame, and when the Citadel, a very respected institution with its deep military roots, recognizes men like Lt. Brennan, that’s when I throw the BS flag, not because of the Lt., but because I simply ask “Why?”. And when asked, I seem to get hesitated answers that ultimately boils down to: “he moved when the General said Curahee!” Really? Since when is that worthy of the Hall of Fame? I didn’t know Arland Williams’ sacrificing his own life to save 50 civilians was comparable to finding a coma patient’s secret password. In comparison, David Bellavia, whom we all know and love, has also received awards, been recognized in various forums, and has been inducted in the NY Hall of Fame. When you ask “Why?”, there is no hesitation to answer. Don’t need to even list why, you all know why. Yes, I know it’s a different state, but that’s beyond the point. What else does the Lt’s induction do other than lower the significance of David’s and other inductee’s induction? And what about the other soldiers in his vehicle. They experienced exactly what the… Read more »

Well, Chris . . . you were NOT the young Lieutenant. TSO got it exactly right. Brian specifically accepted on behalf of all of them.

Putting your life on the line — which Brian and all of them did by just being there – is a tough business. I suspect you’ll likely never have to worry about it. Maybe it’s something you are simply incapable of really understanding.

Otherwise, why would you go on a website like this one and try to undercut the basis for an honor bestowed by the state on a young man whose sacrifice will dwarf anything most people will ever do. That ongoing sacrifice will be with him for the rest of his days.

How small can you be?

Trochilus, Apparently you didn’t read my first post, because as I have stated numerous times, I respect the Lt, and I’m asking a “family” question amongst other brothers who’ve served. I have served in Iraq during some of the most darkest of days, and I have lost many of my brothers due to injuries like the Lt Brennan suffered. Next time, before you make accusations, read. The only reason that I can come up with that you’ve decided to respond in such manner is that you didn’t read my post thoroughly, or you’ve never served in the military and think that any response other than an outright fawning for any soldier who decided to get on a plane and go in country, regardless of MOS or what he actually did, is heretical. You say: “That ongoing sacrifice will be with him for the rest of his days.” My response is, Do you think the parents of the soldiers in the vehicle with him who did not survive DO NOT suffer more than the LT does? More than the parents of the LT do? Why is his sacrifice more so than that of his vehicle passengers who gave the ultimate sacrifice? Is it because he woke up when the General said Curahee? If I walked into a Marines room and said “Semper Fi” and he woke up, would he be awarded with the same awards that the Lt has? If the answer is yes, why is how a combat soldier or Marine wakes up, the basis of why he gets an award? And if the answer is no, then again, my question is why him and not others? TSO’s answer is: “the idea was he is emblematic of the never give in fighting attitude”. My question is why recognize those who are emblematic, when there are many who are the heroes that others are emblematic towards? The list goes on and on of Marines and soldiers who have risked their lives and died fighting for their country and brothers, but they won’t get tearjearking CBS stories. Why honor those who “represent”… Read more »

Perfect.

*sniff* What a man!

I’m in awe, that’s all I can say at this time.

Jonn,

LT. Brennan is the personification of honor and bravery. HOOAH!

Note to Chris:

After reading your comments: You’re the kind of individual that enters a gathering and throws a turd in the punchbowl, because that’s the kinda guy you are.

When you say shit like this:

“Again, I do not see the “community service, heroism and bravery” that he performed beyond that of any of his fellow combat Soldiers or the fellow Marines that I served with or even an act that is in the spirit of Arland Williams who sacrificed his life to save others. I’ve tried to find out if there is a story or reason, beyond being injured and making a very inspirational recovery, but I haven’t found it.”

It proves you just don’t get it. Here’s a clue: Take LT Brennan’s story for what it is: A Sodier’s courage triumphing over hellish adversity, and being recoginized for it. If you always have to accompany your comments with a ‘disclaimer’ than kindly stay the fuck off of these threads.

SFC Cheryl McElroy
US ARMY (RET)
Iraq War Veteran (101st Airborne Division)

AMAZING! And yes I cried.