Soldier Comes Home, UPDATE W/VIDEO
Comment by Nunn: I had the privilege of being part of the escort for this young man. I didn't know him, but it was an honor to be part of his homecoming, tragic as it was. I led the procession from the airport to Caddo Mills, Sgt. Brand's hometown. Other officers blocked off intersections along the route so that the motorcade would not have to stop or slow down. Over a thousand people stood silently along the route, many holding flags, many saluting, some weeping, as the procession passed. It was good to see the Patriot Guard in attendance, with about two dozen members on motorcycles.
A fallen soldier comes home
By JANELLE STECKLEIN
Herald-Banner Staff
The snapping of more than a dozen American flags in the wind greeted fallen soldier Emerson Brand as he arrived home for the last time.
The respectful silence punctuated only by the whipping of the flags may have been a fitting tribute for the fallen soldier who lost his life in Baghdad last week fighting for the flag and the country he loved.
But, over the sound of the flying flags the agonized crying of one of Brand's loved ones could be heard as the coffin passed by. The sound quieted soon after as the woman was comforted by family.
Silence resumed.
Men and women could be seen crying silently and dabbing their eyes.
Law enforcement, veterans, military personnel, Boy Scouts, motorcycle riders from the Patriot Guard Riders, and the public silently saluted Brand and his sacrifice as they joined together at Majors Field in Greenville on Friday to pay their last respects.
At least a hundred L-3 Communications Integrated Systems employees silently pressed up against the fence that separated the airport and the defense complex - which works closely with the U.S. military. Several hung a giant American flag on the fence and one even stood on top of a van for a better view.
The tap-tap-tap of U.S. Armed Forces soldier's shoes could be heard marching in step as they carried the coffin toward the hearse.
A lone solider seemingly unnoticed because all attention was focused on Brand, gently and solemnly laid Brand's belongings near the hearse and then quietly walked away.
The silence continued even after the ceremony ended and people walked away.
One man's jacket read, "The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten."
Many local residents seemed to embrace that slogan as thousands silently lined the memorial procession route - most holding flags - in tribute to the fallen soldier.
"We are paying tribute to our solider who fought for us and our country," said Katie Threndyle, a teenage girl living in Greenville, who was watching the memorial procession.
Hunt County Judge John Horn, who rode along with a sheriff's deputy during the procession and presented Brand's family a flag on behalf of the county, said he was amazed by the amount of support local residents showed.
"It was absolutely the most humbling experience I've had," he said. "It was so awesome to see the overall community support and emotion that was out there today. It was just absolutely incredible."
Brand, 29, of Caddo Mills and three other soldiers died last Thursday when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle in Baghdad. He was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq.
Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at Faith Bible Church in Caddo Mills with the Rev. Jim Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at the I.O.O.F Cemetery in Caddo Mills.
Soldiers with the United States Army Honor Guard From Fort Hood carry the flag-drapped coffin of Sgt. Emerson Noah Brand, 29, from an airplane to the hearse at Majors Field in Greenville Friday afternoon. Brand of Caddo Mills was killed in action on March 15, in Baghdad while defending his country. More than a thousand people, most of them holding American flags, lined the memorial procession route to pay tribute to the fallen soldier.
Grieving family says 'thank you'
Family members of Sgt. Emerson Brand issued a statement Friday night, in which they thanked all those who participated in the tribute.
"We are overwhelmed by the support shown by our community. The respect and honor that was shown by the citizens to a fallen soldier was incredible -beyond words. It helped us to see that we are not hurting alone. We felt the strength of your support, and it will help us to heal.
To see everyone there. from the youngest to the oldest, the veterans, civilians, firemen, police - everyone, from all walks of life was truly amazing. Unfathomable. Sgt. Brand represents all of our troops.
His request would be that America continues to remember the soldiers still at war. There are many families in this community who also have loved ones serving our country, and they should be remembered in your thoughts and prayers as well. The burden of war is unique. Anytime others willingly step forward to share that burden and acknowledge the expense of a life, such an act is noted and greatly appreciated.
To all of those who did, this American Family salutes you. Thank you for taking the time to show regard of the loss of our true American Hero!"
Local residents plan to gather along procession route of fallen solider
By JANELLE STECKLEIN
Herald-Banner Staff
Hundreds plan to gather along the route a fallen soldier's body will take on the way to his final resting place, one local resident said.
"We called everybody we could think of up and down (Farm-to-Market Road 1570)," said Lonnie Stafford, a Greenville resident.
Stafford said she and two other employees at McKesson decided to contact businesses lining the memorial procession route to ask employees and residents to line the road wearing patriotic colors and waving American flags.
She said employees from McKesson, Texas Book Company, OmniSYS and American National Bank as well as residents of Harrison House and Greencrest assisted living centers have all indicated they will line FM 1570 as the body of fallen U.S. Army soldier Emerson Noah Brand passes.
Brand, 29, of Caddo Mills and three other soldiers died last Thursday when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle in Baghdad. He was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq.
His body will be returned to Caddo Mills via Majors Field at 12:20. Following a ceremony at the airport he will be taken to Rentfrow Funeral Home.
His memorial procession will travel down FM 1570, then turn left on U.S. Highway 69, make another left on State Highway 66 and make a final left on Farm-to-Market Road 36 before reaching the funeral home.
Stafford said Brand's death hit her hard because her son has just finished his Iraq tour of duty and was a member of the 1st Cavalry Division - the same military division Brand was serving in - and she and other employees wanted to show support for Brand's family.
"We've got to do this," Stafford said the three of them told each other.
Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Faith Bible Church in Caddo Mills with the Rev. Jim Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at the I.O.O.F Cemetery in Caddo Mills.
Soldier with local ties killed in Iraq
By JANELLE STECKLEIN
Herald-Banner Staff
CADDO MILLS - A local soldier who died in Iraq last week will be remembered for being a wonderful family man and bringing love to those around him, the soldier's fiancee said Monday.
U.S. Army Sgt. Emerson Noah Brand, 29, of Caddo Mills, died last Thursday when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Baghdad, the U.S. Department of Defense said in a statement.
"He was always such a giving person," said Debra Welsh, Brand's fiancee. "He brought so much love."
Brand and Welsh had planned to marry as soon as Brand returned from Iraq.
"The love of my life is gone. He is my everything and he is gone," she said.
Brand had been a member of the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division based out of Fort Hood since June 2006 and was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq.
"He died fighting for this country," she said. "He loved his job. He died doing what he loved to do."
During his time in the military, Brand received the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism (Expeditionary), and the Global War on Terrorism (Service) awards.
When not serving, Welsh said Brand loved spending time with his friends and family, loved barbecues, baseball, the Cowboys, NASCAR and watching Friday Night Football.
Some of his survivors include Welsh, Brand's parents John and Debra Brand of Claremore, Okla., and Welsh's five children.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Faith Bible Church in Caddo Mills with Rev. Jim Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Caddo Mills. Arrangements are under the direction of Rentfrow Funeral Home of Caddo Mills.
Welsh's sister Darla Foster said the family is asking area residents to line the streets with American flags as Brand's body is escorted to the church Saturday afternoon.
"Every service man deserves that," she said. "We need to show our patriotism for the man who laid down his life for us. He wasn't just a number (and) he didn't just give his life for nothing. "
U.S. Army Sgt. Emerson Noah Brand, 29, of Caddo Mills, died last Thursday when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Baghdad, the U.S. Department of Defense said in a statement Courtesy photo/Herald-Banner Staff
A fallen soldier comes home
By JANELLE STECKLEIN
Herald-Banner Staff
The snapping of more than a dozen American flags in the wind greeted fallen soldier Emerson Brand as he arrived home for the last time.
The respectful silence punctuated only by the whipping of the flags may have been a fitting tribute for the fallen soldier who lost his life in Baghdad last week fighting for the flag and the country he loved.
But, over the sound of the flying flags the agonized crying of one of Brand's loved ones could be heard as the coffin passed by. The sound quieted soon after as the woman was comforted by family.
Silence resumed.
Men and women could be seen crying silently and dabbing their eyes.
Law enforcement, veterans, military personnel, Boy Scouts, motorcycle riders from the Patriot Guard Riders, and the public silently saluted Brand and his sacrifice as they joined together at Majors Field in Greenville on Friday to pay their last respects.
At least a hundred L-3 Communications Integrated Systems employees silently pressed up against the fence that separated the airport and the defense complex - which works closely with the U.S. military. Several hung a giant American flag on the fence and one even stood on top of a van for a better view.
The tap-tap-tap of U.S. Armed Forces soldier's shoes could be heard marching in step as they carried the coffin toward the hearse.
A lone solider seemingly unnoticed because all attention was focused on Brand, gently and solemnly laid Brand's belongings near the hearse and then quietly walked away.
The silence continued even after the ceremony ended and people walked away.
One man's jacket read, "The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten."
Many local residents seemed to embrace that slogan as thousands silently lined the memorial procession route - most holding flags - in tribute to the fallen soldier.
"We are paying tribute to our solider who fought for us and our country," said Katie Threndyle, a teenage girl living in Greenville, who was watching the memorial procession.
Hunt County Judge John Horn, who rode along with a sheriff's deputy during the procession and presented Brand's family a flag on behalf of the county, said he was amazed by the amount of support local residents showed.
"It was absolutely the most humbling experience I've had," he said. "It was so awesome to see the overall community support and emotion that was out there today. It was just absolutely incredible."
Brand, 29, of Caddo Mills and three other soldiers died last Thursday when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle in Baghdad. He was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq.
Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. today at Faith Bible Church in Caddo Mills with the Rev. Jim Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at the I.O.O.F Cemetery in Caddo Mills.
Soldiers with the United States Army Honor Guard From Fort Hood carry the flag-drapped coffin of Sgt. Emerson Noah Brand, 29, from an airplane to the hearse at Majors Field in Greenville Friday afternoon. Brand of Caddo Mills was killed in action on March 15, in Baghdad while defending his country. More than a thousand people, most of them holding American flags, lined the memorial procession route to pay tribute to the fallen soldier.
Grieving family says 'thank you'
Family members of Sgt. Emerson Brand issued a statement Friday night, in which they thanked all those who participated in the tribute.
"We are overwhelmed by the support shown by our community. The respect and honor that was shown by the citizens to a fallen soldier was incredible -beyond words. It helped us to see that we are not hurting alone. We felt the strength of your support, and it will help us to heal.
To see everyone there. from the youngest to the oldest, the veterans, civilians, firemen, police - everyone, from all walks of life was truly amazing. Unfathomable. Sgt. Brand represents all of our troops.
His request would be that America continues to remember the soldiers still at war. There are many families in this community who also have loved ones serving our country, and they should be remembered in your thoughts and prayers as well. The burden of war is unique. Anytime others willingly step forward to share that burden and acknowledge the expense of a life, such an act is noted and greatly appreciated.
To all of those who did, this American Family salutes you. Thank you for taking the time to show regard of the loss of our true American Hero!"
Local residents plan to gather along procession route of fallen solider
By JANELLE STECKLEIN
Herald-Banner Staff
Hundreds plan to gather along the route a fallen soldier's body will take on the way to his final resting place, one local resident said.
"We called everybody we could think of up and down (Farm-to-Market Road 1570)," said Lonnie Stafford, a Greenville resident.
Stafford said she and two other employees at McKesson decided to contact businesses lining the memorial procession route to ask employees and residents to line the road wearing patriotic colors and waving American flags.
She said employees from McKesson, Texas Book Company, OmniSYS and American National Bank as well as residents of Harrison House and Greencrest assisted living centers have all indicated they will line FM 1570 as the body of fallen U.S. Army soldier Emerson Noah Brand passes.
Brand, 29, of Caddo Mills and three other soldiers died last Thursday when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle in Baghdad. He was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq.
His body will be returned to Caddo Mills via Majors Field at 12:20. Following a ceremony at the airport he will be taken to Rentfrow Funeral Home.
His memorial procession will travel down FM 1570, then turn left on U.S. Highway 69, make another left on State Highway 66 and make a final left on Farm-to-Market Road 36 before reaching the funeral home.
Stafford said Brand's death hit her hard because her son has just finished his Iraq tour of duty and was a member of the 1st Cavalry Division - the same military division Brand was serving in - and she and other employees wanted to show support for Brand's family.
"We've got to do this," Stafford said the three of them told each other.
Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at Faith Bible Church in Caddo Mills with the Rev. Jim Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at the I.O.O.F Cemetery in Caddo Mills.
Soldier with local ties killed in Iraq
By JANELLE STECKLEIN
Herald-Banner Staff
CADDO MILLS - A local soldier who died in Iraq last week will be remembered for being a wonderful family man and bringing love to those around him, the soldier's fiancee said Monday.
U.S. Army Sgt. Emerson Noah Brand, 29, of Caddo Mills, died last Thursday when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Baghdad, the U.S. Department of Defense said in a statement.
"He was always such a giving person," said Debra Welsh, Brand's fiancee. "He brought so much love."
Brand and Welsh had planned to marry as soon as Brand returned from Iraq.
"The love of my life is gone. He is my everything and he is gone," she said.
Brand had been a member of the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division based out of Fort Hood since June 2006 and was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq.
"He died fighting for this country," she said. "He loved his job. He died doing what he loved to do."
During his time in the military, Brand received the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism (Expeditionary), and the Global War on Terrorism (Service) awards.
When not serving, Welsh said Brand loved spending time with his friends and family, loved barbecues, baseball, the Cowboys, NASCAR and watching Friday Night Football.
Some of his survivors include Welsh, Brand's parents John and Debra Brand of Claremore, Okla., and Welsh's five children.
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Faith Bible Church in Caddo Mills with Rev. Jim Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Caddo Mills. Arrangements are under the direction of Rentfrow Funeral Home of Caddo Mills.
Welsh's sister Darla Foster said the family is asking area residents to line the streets with American flags as Brand's body is escorted to the church Saturday afternoon.
"Every service man deserves that," she said. "We need to show our patriotism for the man who laid down his life for us. He wasn't just a number (and) he didn't just give his life for nothing. "
U.S. Army Sgt. Emerson Noah Brand, 29, of Caddo Mills, died last Thursday when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle in Baghdad, the U.S. Department of Defense said in a statement Courtesy photo/Herald-Banner Staff
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Rest In Peace, Sgt. Brand 0 -
My God ease the family's pain quickly!!! And take this Hero into his care... 0 -
God bless him and those left here to grieve his loss. I salute you Sgt. Brand. Enjoy all heaven has to offer you. 0 -
RIP Sgt. Thank you for your service. 0 -
[8D]--Thanx Sir Nunn--I'm sorry for the loss of our hero--
--I always pray for your Son, He'll be OK--
JIMBO0 -
May God bless all our heroes, the fallen and the living. 0 -
This terrible personal loss is why I believe that the decision to fight should be made slowly and with deliberate contemplation. Once the decision to fight is made, the enemy should be engaged with total savagery and commitment in order to bring an end to the fighting as quickly as possible. Arguing, playing politics, and finger-pointing doesn't end a war. Destroying the enemy as quickly as possible ends a war. 0 -
SaxonPig, your notion of warfare mirrors mine. Once the decision has been made to fight, FIGHT, and critics be damned. I think we should adopt methods of the ancient Romans. When you invade a country and defeat its army, it is now yours. The land, the natural resources, the people. Take, and do with as you please. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by 180A
Rest In Peace, Sgt. Brand
+1...and thank you for paying the ultimate price...0 -
god bless his family and friends,prayers sent for them to be strong. 0 -
All you have to do is look at the last war we actually won, WW II. In that war we did whatever was necessary to defeat the enemy. If the enemy hid amongst civilians we bombed civilian areas. If the enemy hid in churches, we bombed churches. If the enemy was in a city we fire-bombed in to the ground. This is all awful, terrible stuff but that's what you have to do to defeat a determined enemy.
As long as we fight a war with 535 Commanders-in-Chief trying to dictate strategy, one political party trying to exploit the war for their own gain while the other party is hamstrung by fear of what the New York Times will say about them, and military decisions are made based on what CNN will think about it then we are doomed. Our enemy gives zero consideration to public perceptions and doesn't care about what the world thinks. They fight to win and will do ANYTHING they think will further their goal.
We need to do the same.0 -
This is not a sad story. Sgt. Brand died doing his duty. He gave his life so that others could live free from fear and oppression. He did more in his 29 years than most people do in 80.
He leaves behind family, friends, and acquaintances that will justly remember him as a good man.
We should all have the luxury of having done something meaningful and positive with our lives. He may have died young, but he didn't die in pursuit of vain or useless causes.
May he rest in peace. May his family remember what Sgt. Brand gave this world rather than dwell upon his leaving it. God be with them all.0 -
Mr. Monkey, I have to partially agree with you. To lose a loved one engaged in a dangerous and noble cause must leave the survivors with mixed emotions of sadness and pride. 0 -
Nunn,
I agree. It was my intent to concentrate on what good there was in the moment of his passing. I would be horrified if those he left behind did not mourn. I did not mean to belittle their grief, only to remind them that he was welcomed home in the pursuit of great and noble deeds.0 -
It's always sad when someone dies. It matters not how old or how young; what cause they died for or how well they lived. Death is the final defeat and we are all condemned to it nine months before we are born. We can celebrate someone's life, but the end is always sad. 0 -
God bless them both. 0 -
Another fallen brother in a stupid war in the armpit of the world.[:(!] 0 -
I don't remember if the news articles pointed this out, but Sgt. Brand was one of four soldiers in a vehicle (unspecified as to type) that was destroyed by a roadside bomb. All four died.
That scares the hell out of me. Travis is there, charging up and down the roads in Iraq, providing security escort for truck convoys. His work day is spent in a vehicle, fortunately a heavily armored M-1117, better than a HMMV, but it is still a vehicle, and still vulnerable to a big IED or RPG.
I will be evermore relieved when he comes home for good.0 -
The roadside bombs have proven to be the most effective weapon the insurgents have. More casualties result from improvised explosives than any other weapon by far.
One step down from the insurgents are the terrorists and they have found the suicide bomber to be their most effective weapon against civilians.
Explosives are the weapon of choice for our current enemy.0 -
As a nation, we are blessed to have men (and women) such as he willing to stand between us and our enemies. "Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for another." RIP, Sgt. Brand, and thank you.
quote:Originally posted by nunn
Once the decision has been made to fight, FIGHT, and critics be damned.
quote:Originally posted by SaxonPig
All you have to do is look at the last war we actually won, WW II. In that war we did whatever was necessary to defeat the enemy. If the enemy hid amongst civilians we bombed civilian areas. If the enemy hid in churches, we bombed churches. If the enemy was in a city we fire-bombed in to the ground. This is all awful, terrible stuff but that's what you have to do to defeat a determined enemy.
As long as we fight a war with 535 Commanders-in-Chief trying to dictate strategy, one political party trying to exploit the war for their own gain while the other party is hamstrung by fear of what the New York Times will say about them, and military decisions are made based on what CNN will think about it then we are doomed. Our enemy gives zero consideration to public perceptions and doesn't care about what the world thinks. They fight to win and will do ANYTHING they think will further their goal.
We need to do the same.
At the very least, really for the first time since 1945, the populace, if not the damn leftist media, is treating the military with the respect they deserve, not with indifference or - as was the case with many of our Vietnam vets - hostility. The massed silent observance of Sgt. Brand's return reported in these articles speaks to that. We owe it to him and all the others to allow our military to finish the job on their own terms, not those of the congressional spin artists (of all stripes).0 -
Rest in Peace, Sgt Brand.
Rest in Peace, all the other casualties of this war.
It seems inconsequential to say it, but "Thank you."0 -
This was in my email today:
Here is a link to a video on my website for the return of one of our fallen soldiers.
http://www.reflectionsmm.com/movies/00-EmersonTribute.wmv
Sgt. Emerson Brand was killed in Iraq last week by an IED. I got a call from an associate asking if I could film the plane arriving yesterday in Greenville with Sgt. Brand's body. I wasn't sure what to expect, but felt honored to have the opportunity to capture what the family wanted (the plane landing, the body being escorted from the plane to the hearse, and the procession arriving at the funeral home in Caddo Mills).
Once I arrived at the funeral home, I found out the procession had grown and this was to be an "event" for Greenville and the area, with businesses closing and allowing employees to line the streets in honor of Sgt. Brand.
The body was originally scheduled to arrive at DFW airport and then be driven to Caddo Mills. The funeral director found out the plane could in Greenville and many people and organizations offered to volunteer their time and assistance to making this a reality.
Even Channel 8, WFAA was there and ran a piece on the procession.
The Patriot Guard Riders t.aspx> would be present for the procession and the funeral today, but never imaged the patriotic feel I found when watching the Patriot Guard Riders in the procession. Seeing the people lining the streets with American flags and businesses closing down, I found hope for our country that people still care about what our soldiers are fighting for. This was a very emotional day for me as this was the first "real contact" with the war in the Middle
East and seeing a fallen soldier. One Patriot Guard Rider thanked me for filming the day, and I said "No, thank you for what you and your
organization are doing." He replied, "It is the least we can do for Sgt. Brand and his family for the sacrifice he gave for his country. God Bless."
I got a call late last night from my contact asking if I could edit
something with the footage I shot from yesterday. The family was wanting to see the plane landing and some of the procession. As the Patriot Guard Rider said, "it was the least I could do for the family."
Not intending to edit any of the footage I shot, which was mainly to be used for highlights of the memorial video, I am pleased with the result of my work. The funeral was this afternoon, and I wished I would have had time to attend and assist with some of the filming.
brian0 -
Nobody looked at the video???? [:(] 0 -
I watched the video, made a large impact. I'll have my wife and kids watch it also.
That is the respect our troops should get.0 -
The video is real nice. Still drying my eyes. Thanks Nunn for sharing.
RIP SGT Brand, and thank you!0 -
there is nothing I can say[:(]
RIP0 -
That's pretty tough.
Tip-Watch it a second time and play Where's Waldo? with Nunn.0 -
[8D]--I've been to Travis Air Base for several of these "arrivals" and although none have been my sons-It never gets any better--
--I've never seen so many AF officers actually tear-up with felt grief for fellow soldiers (army/Marine)--
--Mine's out of IRAQ now Sir Nunn, but He'll probably be going back to IRAQ for the UAV/Predator program so we'll worry again.--
[:(][:(]--JIMBO0 -
Sgt. Brand's mother here, D.L. Brand: To all of you who have prayed for us, I would insult the God I love, pray to and trust--who is the God many of you have prayed to on our behalf--if I failed to acknowledge, in this, our hour of deepest pain, loss, and grief, on this shadowed path, we know angels walk beside us, minister to us. Gentle hands hold us.
We know, many others are also now walking this most grievous mile. Thus, our aim is then to comfort others, as much as feasible, with what ever comfort we are comforted with--a comfort I wished never to know.
On another note, to all of you who posted, your belief, that once we commit ourselves to war, we ought to fight it as fiercely, ruthlessly, and pragmatically as possible, unleashing everything we've got, to end it as quickly as possible, we applaud you who posted such. Emerson would also.
Moreover, he would want us to shout that message from the mountain tops. Make it heard over every other argument in the halls of Congress.
Please do that, for Sgt. Brand and his brothers.
Thank you all for your prayers. Not only for us, but for all of our Military families.
John and Debi Brand0 -
Nunn, you made me cry.
D.L. Brand, you've humbled me. We won't forget Sgt. Emerson Noah Brand, your son...a hero.0
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