Branch of Military: Marines; Rank: Corporal; Unit: Marine Medium Helico, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station; Unit’s Base: Camp Pendleton, Calif.
Brian Matthew Kennedy was your typical all American young man. He graduated from Glenbrook South High School in Glenview, IL, in 1995. He was involved with the All State Lacrosse Team, Varsity Football Team, and a member of The National Honor Society. After he graduated from high school, he enrolled at Purdue University and Texas Tech University where he majored in mechanical and petroleum engineering, respectively.
In 1998, Brian joined the United States Marine Corps. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside and resided in Encinitas, CA. He was trained as a CH-46 Sea Knight Helicopter Mechanic and Crew Chief. Because of his superior abilities, Brian was selected for the first troop insertion mission in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He died on March 21st, 2003 at the young age of 25.
No, I didn’t know this young man personally. But what I can gather from the Internet, Brian was loved by his family and proud to serve his country. It did not matter to him that serving his country would cost his life. I can not even imagine how his family felt when they got the news that he had died liberating Iraqi people. I don’t know if the wounds have healed by now. Being a mother of a 21-year-old, I can imagine that these wounds will never heal. Sometimes people ask why God will allow suffering in the world and that a young man like Brian has to die so young. I don’t know the answer. But I truly believe that God used Brian’s death to His glory. Brian was in Iraq for a reason. Not only to liberate the Iraqi people, but maybe to sow a seed in someone who didn’t know Christ. You see, Brian was not only your typical young American man, but he was a believer. There is comfort in that Brian is in heaven now and is waiting for his family to join him one day.
My hope is that we will never forget and honor all fallen heros, if in Iraq or Afghanistan, for what they believe in. Would you like to leave some encouraging words for Brian’s family? You can go directly to “In Remembrance” and sign the guest book.
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” ~ Romans 8:26-28 (NIV)
My prayer is that you, my dear reader, would also like to get involved in honoring fallen heros. Please visit the main Blog “Some Gave All” and leave a comment that you would like to participate. Thank you Lauren and Carol for getting me involved.
Have a blessed Sunday evening…
I can’t imagine the grief felt by this family, but I believe God had a purpose for this young man to be in Iraq at that time. We grieve for the family, but I’m so proud to know that there are men & women out there willing to give up their very life to libertate others. I pray God gives them comfort and that they will know he did not die in vain. We take so much for granted every day in this country. I hope we never forget those who have given so much in the name of freedom.
What a nice tribute Iris. I too can not imagine losing my son. Their grief must be such agony, but what a peace to know that their son knew the Lord.
Very nice tribute to the young man, Iris. I’ve saw the Some Gave All site – I barely can keep up now – so I’ll have to pass on joining in.
Yesterday we were in the Nashville National Cemetery – the place were almost 20,000 service members are buried. We went there to find a relative.
I was curious how many were in the cemetery so I went to look and it was 33,258 in 1997 so not sure how many now… so my 20,000 up there is wrong.
What a wonderful tribute to this hero & I know that his family is very, very sad but I am sure they are so very proud of their son too…he truly did give his all.
What a beautiful post. I am sort of familiar with this boy….Brian didn’t live far from my home town here. He is a hero, and our local news had his story on for quite some time.
Like you, I can’t imagine losing a child with so much to offer the world. But like you also said, he might have planted a seed for Christ, and his reward will certainly be great.
You wrote a wonderful tribute. Very nice Iris!