Josh was KIA in Afghanistan two years ago. Josh's cousin, Joseph, is also in the Army and just graduated from Airborne School. Joseph was pinned with Josh's Jump Wings and he'll be going to Josh's old unit.
This is what Josh's Commander said during his speech to the graduates and their friends and families:
"Distinguished guests, family, friends, and graduates of Airborne Class 43-09 – I am honored and humbled to be asked to speak to this class. I graduated on this field nearly 26 years ago; little has changed – and that’s a good thing.
Prior to beginning these short remarks, I’d ask all veterans in the audience to stand. I’d like to THANK YOU for your service and for not only doing your part for FREEDOM and DEMOCRACY but for also inspiring another OR others to do their part. Shortly, Airborne School will ask previous PARATROOPERs to pin their protégé’s wings – in front of the formation, which is truly inspiring.
I was privileged to begin my career as an enlisted Airborne Ranger, which means I was trained by the best; in my latter years I was privileged to command PARATROOPERs in combat, which means I led the best our services and nation have to offer. PARATROOPERs of any service and any specialty are perfectly suited to be incredible trainers and incredible combat warriors. Our most elite – Army Rangers, Special Forces, Delta Operators, Navy SEALs, Air Force Para-Rescue and Combat Control Teams, and Marine Force Recon and Special Operators are Airborne qualified – PARATROOPERs first and foremost. The attention to detail required to exit an aircraft, with combat equipment, at night, into an ambiguous situation is instructive to say the least. It takes moxy.
Our Nation’s elite are expected to move quickly, with limited information, and accomplish the intent – always. Many times this means LGOPs – or little groups of PARATROOPERs – are figuring “it” out as they go along. They may not have everything they need and won’t have everything they want but they’ll do their very best and make our nation and allies more secure – always.
Since World War II our military history is replete with tens of thousands of stories of PARATROOPERS in action – heroically and selflessly bringing the fight to the enemy, to the enemies’ homeland and backyard, and living their lives for their fellow PARATROOPERs. I led such an organization that selflessly fought for a population that had never benefited from a central government and had historically aligned with the tyrant that did them the least harm.
The PARATROOPERS I led in Afghanistan consistently amazed friendly forces and enemy forces alike as they tenaciously conducted 9500 missions for the population and fought 1100 contacts with the enemy earning over 300 valor awards to include 3 Medal of Honor nominations a Distinguished Service Cross, 26 Silver Stars, and 90 Bronze Stars for Valor.
One young leader had earned a Bronze Star on a previous Afghanistan tour; as a Sergeant Team Leader on his second Afghan tour he was shot through the calf in a close fight on the Abas Ghar Mountain in the Korengal Valley – this team leader refused MEDEVAC and led his team off of an 8,400 foot mountain through the valley floor, back to his base camp at 5,000 feet. On the night of 25 October 2007, just six weeks later, this team leader was the point man leading his platoon through the mountains and back to his combat outpost after a very intense five day operation that in effect transformed the Korengal Valley. The platoon was ambushed by numerous enemy arrayed in a close ambush – some within meters of the lead squad. The lead team leader was shot six times – the squad leader was knocked to the ground – three others were wounded, and the platoon medic was killed moving to treat his wounded comrades. The trail team leader moved through the ambush to secure his squad leader only to see his peer team leader being carried off by two Taliban. The trail team leader attempted to suppress the enemy with grenades and rifle fire as he fearlessly moved through the fire, killed one of the Taliban carrying off his peer and wounded the other then he secured his wounded peer and brought him to safety. The trail team leader was nominated for the Medal of Honor – the lead team leader was evacuated and died hours later.
The trail Team Leader in this vignette is SGT Sal Giunta – he still serves in BATTLE Company, 2-503, 173rd ABCT in Vicenza, Italy. The lead team leader was SGT Josh Brennan a handsome, fit, proficient, heroic PARATROOPER. His dad, Mike, Uncle Joe, Aunt Lori, Uncle Terry, and Cousin Michael are present today. PVT Joe Brennan is one of the 365 graduating members of the class; I jumped with him Monday, and “cousin Joe” is enroute to BATTLE Company– to join SGT Brennan’s former unit, to include SGT Giunta and many other outstanding Paratroopers.
I tell this story to our new PARATROOPERs – and more importantly to the Parents and Loved ones of our newest PARATROOPERs – as your PARATROOPER selflessly and courageously joined an elite fraternity. With this graduation they expand their family – and join men like SGT Giunta and SGT Brennan. Regardless of unit, service, or duration of service, they will leave this field a better service member and citizen. Like the thousands of PARATROOPERS that are currently deployed, they will be asked and tasked to do serious business for our nation – to do more with less – to figure it out in rugged, austere, contested terrain, in the dead of night, and they will do it with like minded warriors. Your PARATROOPER will need your continued support as you are also part of this new and expanded family. Whether they accept their service as a career or return to school or the family business, you can expect more from them and they can expect more from themselves – as they have faced the OPEN DOOR where one of three things can happen upon exit – they can get killed, they can get hurt, or they can land OK… These same three things go through our head when we roll outside the wire, move out on patrol, maneuver on the enemy, or face any other unknown hazard or challenge – which is why PARATROOPERS are well suited for the challenges of combat and the challenges of life.
Parents, mentors, and inspirational others – you did good. Your investment is on the field to your front – and I’d venture your return is much higher than you could have ever hoped.
To the PARATROOPERS of Class 43-09 – I’m proud to stand amongst you – congratulations – see you on the DROP ZONE!
Thank you for your time – make Good Luck – Rangers Lead the Way!"
Go read the whole thing, there's some great pics there.
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