Posted on 02/08/2005 7:50:19 PM PST by Pafreedom
Hero, brother
He wasn’t just a soldier. Every one needs to know what a great hero he was.
Sgt. Brett Swank started off in the Army just to pay for college and ended up paying the ultimate price. When he was home from Iraq, he felt bad because all of his soldiers were still over there fighting.
My very last memory with Brett was hanging out at my house with some close friends, just talking and goofing off like it was it was any ordinary night. We stayed up all night, until we saw him off to the airport with mydad at 5 a.m.
We said our goodbyes and never looked back, until I look back now, as I’m writing this. I can remember what he said to me.
He told me to keep doing good, keep my grades up and make sure I stayed out of trou¬ble. He told me how proud he was of me, and that he loved me so much.
I told him to stay safe, keep his head down and come back in one piece. I also told him I loved him and, if anything, I should be proud of him for what he was doing. We both cried, holding each other tightly. I didn’t know would be the last time.
But nonetheless, the moment was perfect. After a goodbye like that, I couldn’t bear to watch him drive away So I didn’t.
His being in the Army didn’t hit hard until he left after two weeks during Thanksgiving, but it hit hard. Even now, as I write this, it just doesn’t seem real; there is no way it would happen to Brett. He’s Superman.
However, it is real, and I dread the moment that it all comes to me. I hope that everyone is here for me like they are now. How can you bury a 21-year-old man? So much ahead, so much life to live, so many good times to have and good things to do.
My brother was a best friend to me, a hero, a teacher and many more things. But, most of all, he was my brother, and was a great per¬son, no matter what he was doing.
Please I beg all to keep him and our family on your mind, in your hearts and in your prayers. If you want to know what you can do for me, then that is it, right now. I hope you all will support our troops in Iraq and any other troops fighting for our country. On behalf of my whole family, and most importantly, on behalf of my brother, we thank everyone for their support and we thank everyone for their kindness. Bless you all.
Jon Swank Northumberland, Pa.
Regardless, God bless this soldier, and his brother. They have sacrificed so much for our nation.
All gave some. Some gave all. God Bless our troops and the country they so bravely defend.
God Bless this family and their brave son (Brett).
This is a letter written to the editor of our local paper. It was published the day his brother was buried. Very moving. Our community is comprised of a series of small towns. I felt his letter was more than worthy of sharing with FR.
Hey buddy, your brother was a brave man and you should always treasure your memories of him and honor him. He died for you and your family and America's belief in the basic freedom of the people inhabiting the globe. He was a good man and a courageous man. Thank you for honoring us by sharing your story.
Thank you for sharing this with us. I hope the family is coping as well as is possible. This young man is very brave as was his soldier brother. God bless him, his brother and their family.
As I replied earlier. He was not my brother. The letter was written by his brother and sent to our local paper. However, I think it is worthy of sharing to the FR community. I salute him and everything he has done for my family. God Bless
Thank you for sharing this with us. I hope the family is coping as well as is possible. This young man is very brave as was his soldier brother. God bless him, his brother and their family.
Know that this is for a GREAT cause and not in vain.
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