Paratrooper part of Patrol that captures...

SoupNazzi

Shared on Mon, 01/11/2010 - 12:32

...the mastermind of the ambush that killed his cousin.

I want to share a bit of what may seem an unbelievable story with you. The story starts with our "Hero Sgt. Joshua C. Brennan". Josh served with the Army 173rd Airborne, 2-503. Josh was killed in action on Oct. 26th, 2007. Three days prior to Josh's death we had a Marine recruiter in our home. Joseph wanted to serve in the military and was looking at the Marines. Josh's death did not change Joseph's mind about serving his country.

Approximately one year later Joseph and I, at the last minute, went to Italy along with other members of the family to have a HUGE party for the guys from Josh's unit. Joseph was 3 weeks from going to basic training with the Marines. While talking to Josh's friends, they convinced him he should go into the Army instead. Joseph told me later that he wanted to follow in Josh's footsteps and go to Airborne school. Well, he went into the Army in May of 2009 and graduated from Airborne school in early October.

We said our goodbyes to Joseph on Oct. 26 (the 2nd anniversary of Josh's death) and he was off to Vincenza, Italy where the 173rd is based. Joseph joined up with the same platoon that Josh served in and met several of Josh's friends in the platoon. We then learned Joseph would be deployed to Afghanistan. Out of about a 1000 soldiers Joseph's platoon (about 30 to 40 soldiers) and another platoon were chosen to go to Camp Joyce. Camp Joyce is in the Kunar province where Josh was ambushed and killed. Joseph arrived just before Christmas.

Joseph has been on several missions since his arrival to Camp Joyce. This past weekend the Brennan family celebrated Christmas at a hotel in Chicago. Saturday night we had a toast to Josh's memory. About that same time, we later found out, Joseph was on another mission. It would of been early Sunday morning Afghan time. Joseph called me on Sunday at about 11:00 am as we were driving home from Chicago. We talked a little and Joseph said "Dad tell Uncle Mike we got him!" I didn't understand "Got who", I said. "We captured the guy who planned the ambush attack that killed Josh and Hugo Mendoza." "What ?????", I could not believe what I was hearing. "Be sure you tell Uncle Mike, we got the guy", he repeated. I was speechless...

More here.

Comments

wamam87's picture
Submitted by wamam87 on Mon, 01/11/2010 - 13:27
that's amazing. i don't know if i should jump up and down, sit and cry, or high five...wow. awsome post. you've got to be the proudest dad on the planet.
killingspree75's picture
Submitted by killingspree75 on Mon, 01/18/2010 - 12:44
You wanna talk about chills down the spin.....AWSOME! Tell your son we are proud of him and thank you for serving!

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