Our Fallen Hero
Sgt. Brown was a member of the 1st Battalion Airborne, 509th Infantry unit based in Fort Polk, LA. He was deployed to Iraq in June of 2004 as a team leader with the 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company.
Andy was a member of St James Church in Pleasant Mount. He graduated as an Honor Student from Forest City Regional High School in 2000. He was a former Boy Scout and enjoyed playing the guitar, skiing, hunting, and playing paintball with his brother and friends, but more than anything, he wanted to join the military. While still a high school student, he joined the army on the delayed entry program and left home on August 16, 2004 bound for Infantry Basic and Advanced Individual Training and Airborne Course Training at Fort Benning, GA. Prior to his current assignment, he had served with the 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry at Fort Drum, NY.
Sgt Andrew W Brown was a highly decorated solider. Among the awards and decorations he received during his service are: the Combat Infantry Badge and the Purple Heart by his comanding officer Col. Mark Milley, prior to his death, the Bronze Star for Valor, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War of Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, the NCO Professional Development Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Expert Infantryman's Badge, the Parachutist's Badge, the Expert Rifle Markmanship Badge, and the Expert M-249 Markmanship Badge.
On Sunday October 17, 2004 people stood in line for over an hour in downtown Forest City braving the cold temperaturs, waiting to pay a final tribnute to a fallen soldier, who many of them never met. It is estimated that in the five hours of the wake, at least 1,200 people came to pay their last respects to the family of this local hero. A group of men on motorcycles roared in and roared back out to mark the passing of a fellow vetern. The following morning, hundreds gathered at the soldier's hometown church for a Memorial mass before his burial. Six members of Sgt Brown's unit served as pallbearers. The service which began at 10:45 was over at 11:45 when the town streamed to the nearby cemetary. At 12:17pm two sets of shots were fired in a final military salute followed by a lone bugler playing taps. Lt. Col Casey Griffith presented the family with the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Brig. Gen. James L Terry, assistant division commander of the 10th Mountain Division handed them the American Flag. By 1:00 the cemetary was once again silent and beneath the flaming fall foliage, a young soldier was laid to his place of eternal rest.
If you are out for a drive in the small town or Pleasant Mount or one of the surrounding communities, you can see just how much Sgt. Andrew Brown was loved. Signs asking passers by to pray for the soldier and his family are seen in many communitues, and flags are flown at half staff. He is a solider that will never be forgotten. He was an exceptional young man who gave his life for his country. Sgt Andrew W. Brown was a friend to many, but a hero to all.
Billy Ray Cyrus and Cindy Cyrus
I knew a man called him Sandy Kane
Few folks even knew his name
But a hero he was
Left a boy, came back a man
Still many just don't understand
About the reasons we are free
I can't forget the look in his eyes
Or the tears he cries
As he said these words to me
All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white, and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all
Now Sandy Kane is no longer here
But his words are oh so clear
As they echo through out our land
For all his friends who gave us all
Who stood the ground and took the fall
To help their fellow man
Love your country and live with pride
And don't forget those who died American can't you see
All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall, yes recall
Some gave all
Some gave all
God Bless America
Land that I love
Stand beside and guide here
Through the night with a light from above
From the mountains
To the prairies
To the oceans white with foam
God Bless America
My home sweet home
God Bless America
My home sweet home
~Irving Berlin~
I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young marine saluted it, and then
He stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert,
He'd stand out in any crowd.
I thought how many men like him
Had fallen through the years.
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many piolots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers's graves?
No, freedom is not free.
I hears the sound of "Taps" one night,
When everything was still.
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That "Taps" had meant "Amen,"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother of a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea,
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No, freedom is not free.
~Cadet Major Kelly Strong~
When tomorrow starts without me
And I'm not there to see
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today
While thinking of the many things
We didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me
As much as I love you
And you each time that you think of me
I know you'll miss me too.
But when tomorrow starts without me
Please try to understand
That an angel came and called my name
And took me by the hand.
And said my place was ready
In heaven far above
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But when I walked through heaven's gates
I felt so much at home
When God looked down and smiled at me
From His great golden throne.
He said "This is eternity
And all I've promised you
Today for life on earth is past
But here it starts anew."
"I promise no tomorrow!
For today will always last
And since each day's the same way
There's no longing for the past."
So when tomorrow starts without me
Don't think we're far apart
For every time you think of me
I'm right here in your heart.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying, that we are
Born to eternal life
~St. Francis of Assissi~
If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and a kiss
and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would videotape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.
If I knew it would be the last time
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you"
instead of assuming you KNOW I do.
If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more
so I can just let this one slip away.
For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
sand we will always get a second chance
to make everything just right.
There will always be another day
to say "I love you"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"
But just in case I am wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.
So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day.
That you didn't take the extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone
what turned out to be their last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear.
Take the time to say "I'm sorry",
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's ok.
And if tomrrow never comes
you'll have no regrets about today.
~Diamond Rio~
Last night I had a crazy dream
A wish was granted just for me
It could be for anything
I didn't ask for money
Or a mansion in Malibu
I simply wished for one more day with you!
One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But than again
I know what it would do
Keep me wishing still, for one more day with you
First thing I'd do, is pray for time to crawl
Then I'd unplug the telephone
And keep the tv off
I'd hold you every second
Say a million I love you's
That's what I'd do, with one more day with you
One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But than again
I know what it would do
Keep me wishing still, for one more day with you
One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But than again
I know what it would do
Keep me wishing still, for one more day with you
Leave me wishing still for one more day
Leave me wishing still for one more day
Leave me wishing still for one mord day with you.
I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restoreth my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
For his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
For You are with me;
Your rod and staff,
They comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
In the presence of my enemies.
You annoint my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
All the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house
Of the Lord Forever
~Psalm 23~
Lead me on. Let me stand.
I am tired. I am weak. I am worn.
Through the storm,
Through the night,
Lead me on to the light.
Take my hand, precious Lord,
And lead me home.
~African - American Spiritual~
Hold fast to God's hand and He will
Lead you safely through all trials.
Whever you cannot stand, He will
Carry you lovingly in His arms.
~St Francis de Sales~
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the mornings hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.
~Faith Hill~
Thought I saw you today
You were standing in the sun then you turned away
And I knew I couldn't be but my heart believed
Oh it seems like something everyday
How could you be so far away
When you're still here
When I need you you're not hard to find
You're still here
I can see you in my baby's eyes
And I laugh and cry
You're still here
At the dream last night
That you came to me on silver wings of light
I flew away with you in the painted sky
And I woke up wondering what was real
Is it what you see and touch or what you feel
Cause you're still here
Oh you're everywhere we've ever been
You're still here
I heard you in a stranger's laugh
And I hunger on to hear your laugh again
Just once again
Ohhh...
Thought I saw you today
You were standing in the sun than you turned away
Away
~Francis Scott Key~
Oh say can you see, by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there.
O say does that star spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that wihc the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, now conceals, now discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines on the stream
Tis the star spangled! O long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Thier blood has wiped out their foul footstep's pollution
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of the flight or the gloom of the grave.
And the star spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Oh! thus be it ever, when freeman shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, for our cause it is just.
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner forever shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And to build the Nations might,
And the Army goes rolling along.
Proud of all we have done,
Fighting till the battle's done,
Fighting till the battle's won
And the Army goes rolling along.
Than it's Hi! Hi! Hey!
The Army on it's way.
Count off the cadence loud and strong,
(TWO! THREE!)
For Wher-e'er we go, you will always know,
That the Army goes rolling along
Valley Forge, Custer's ranks,
San Juan Hill and Patton's tanks,
And the Army went rolling along
Minute men, from the start,
Always fighting frm the heart,
And the Army keeps rolling along.
Than it's Hi! Hi! Hey!
The Army on it's way.
Count off the cadence loud and strong,
(TWO! THREE!)
For Wher-e'er we go, you will always know,
That the Army goes rolling along
Men in rags, men who froze,
Still that Army met its foes,
And the Army went rolling along.
Faith in God, then we're right,
And we'll fight with all our might,
As the Army keeps rolling along.
Than it's Hi! Hi! Hey!
The Army on it's way.
Count off the cadence loud and strong,
(TWO! THREE!)
For Wher-e'er we go, you will always know,
That the Army goes rolling along
If tomorrow all the things were gone
I'd worked for all my life
And I had to start again
With just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars
To be living here today.
Cause the flag still stands for freedom
And they can't take that away.
And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you
And defend her still today.
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God bless the USA.
From the lakes of Minnesota
To the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas
From sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston
And New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart
And it's time we stand and say;
That I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you
And defend her still today.
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God bless the USA.
And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you
And defend her still today.
Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God bless the USA.
Sgt Brown was a true paratrooper, a leader of soliders in combat, and he will be sorely missed. His OPFOR call sign of "Snoopy" has been permanently retired from our rosters out of respect for his contributions to the unit.
A soldier called to war
Leaves his mother, father and brother, with a tearful goodbye
And a promise to return safely home soon.
Courageously he fights; morning, noon and night
Hoping the war will soon be over
And praying to see his home and loved ones again.
Back home, his family dreams of his return
As they watch the news
Fighting getting worse, the list growing longer everyday
A phone call one day
"your son has been injured and his future looks bleak
We are trying to stabilize him, so you can be with him."
The family breaks into tears
All they can do is wait and pray
Daily calls update them on the condition of their beloved.
Waiting, they pray for a miracle
Hoping to get to see their son alive one more time
The minutes turn to hours, hours to days, days to a week.
A knock at the door one afternoon
Opening the door, they are looking inth the eyes of a soldier
But it's not their son.
Knowing their worst nightmare has come true
They stand there, hearts breaking
As they wait for the soldier to speak
"I am truly sorry, but your son has passed away
His injuries were too severe
And though we did everything we could, he couldn't be saved."
"He never had the chance to say goodbye
But wanted you to know that he loved you all very much
And he needs you to go on living in his honor."
"Your son died a hero
He was a great leader, an inspiration to all men
My condolences to you and your family in this time of great sorrow."
A father, a mother, and a son embrace
Trying to comfort each other, to put an end to the tears
There are no words to express what they feel.
In honor of a brother, a hometown flag is lowered to half staff
Red white and blue, and yellow ribbons and flags decorate the town
Signs of rememberance honor a fallen solider and his family.
His picture appears on the news
Add yet another name to the list of fallen heroes
A community in shock grieves for their own.
People line the street of a small town
Braving the cold and waiting hours to bid the young man farewell
And show support for the grieving family left behind.
Over twelve hundred people pay their respects
Some don't even know the young man
But want to thank the family for this service to our country.
A full military funeral in his honor follows
Family, friends, fellow soldiers, and a grieving community gather
United to say one final goodbye to a small town hero.
A flag draped casket passes among those gathered
The flag folded, Taps played, shots fired in a final farewell
Tears shed for the young soldier taken too soon.
On a chilly October day
Beneath the flaming fall foliage
A soldier is laid in his place of everlasting rest.
Those left behind grieve for what might have been
The soldier had a promising future
But made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life for our country.
Though we can no longer see him
We know he will be here with us always in our hearts
For he had the heart of hero in life and will in death as well.
Everyone has gone home and all that is left is silence
But it is in silence, we remember a young man
Taken from us too soon, bound for his next assignment in heaven.
And though he is even farther from us now
We know he is safe in God's care
Never to be in harm's way again.
Another soldier marches from this life to begin a new journey
We pray for him and for those he left behind
That time will ease their pain and mend their broken hearts.
His life is done, but the tears go on
A community grieves, united in prayer for their hometown soldier
And we add the name of Sgt. Andrew W Brown to the list of fallen heroes.
~Anonymous Author
