Marine Corps Moms: "You were the best that we had"

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March 20, 2007

"You were the best that we had"

High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up the long delirious, burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew.

And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
- John Gillespie Magee, Jr

On March 20, 2003, a CH-46 sea knight helicopter crashed en route to the Iraqi border town of Umm Qasr. On board were twelve warriors - four United States Marines and eight British Marines. Their loss was a collective blow to two allied countries - and the loss of twelve outstanding young men has forever changed the lives of those who knew them.

One of those men was USMC Corporal Brian Kennedy. Raised in Illinois, he played football in high school and lacrosse at both Purdue and Texas Tech, where he studied mechanical engineering. His future was bright. He wanted more.

In 1999, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, telling his father that it was a calling. Assigned to the 3rd Marine Air Wing, at Camp Pendleton as a helicopter hydraulics mechanic, he was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in early 2003. In one of the opening days of the war, his helicopter crew was providing lift support and troop insertion for the British Royal Marines when the aircraft went down, just south of the Iraqi border. He was 25 years old.

A few days later, the remaining Marines from his aircraft group gathered in a maintenance hanger in Kuwait to remember Cpl. Kennedy and the other three U.S. members of the crew; Captain Jay T. Aubin, Captain Ryan Beaupre, and SSgt. Kendall Waters-Bey. A report filed by Sgt. T. L. Carter-Valrie described the battlefield memorial service and a few highlights are included here.

Cmdr. Jim Ellis, USN, who served as MAG-39 chaplain, remarked, "The purpose of this memorial is to create a memory through reflection and remembrance of these brave men. Marines and Sailors, this service is also for you. It is your time to create a memory that the Marine Corps will not forget the valiant actions of these men."

3rd MAW MajGen Amos explained why these men in particular were chosen; "It was challenging and it was tough - that's why the aircrew of this squadron were picked to lead the assault." Addressing the remaining warriors, he explained, "Your great squadron was out in front for a reason - -you were the best that we had."

Lt. Col. Jerry Driscoll, HMM-268 commanding officer, commented, "I remember these men as heroes because they made a simple decision to serve - to become Marines, to do good for others and in so doing are examples of leadership for us all," he said. "Our brothers demonstrated there is no greater love than one who would lay down his life for another."

Cpl. Brian Kennedy was a warrior. He was a Marine. He was also a beloved brother and son.. On this 4th anniversary of his sacrifice, pause to remember him. And also, remember his family - father and step-mother Mark and Valerie Kennedy, mother and step-father Melissa and John Derbyshire, and sister Gretchen Helgesen. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Cpl. Kennedy is remembered, not only for the heroic way in which he died but how he lived. He accomplished more in 25 years than others do in a lifetime, and will never be forgotten by his family and friends, including his Marine brothers. For those of us who did not know him in life, we will never forget him in death.

Posted by Deb at March 20, 2007 08:42 AM

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Comments

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TOUCHING WORDS AND WONDERFUL TRIBUTE TO MY BROTHER. IT MAKES US SO GRATEFUL THAT HE IS NOT FORGOTTEN AND HIS SELFLESS SACRIFICE IS ACKNOWLEDGED.
GRETCHEN HELGESON

Posted by: Gretchen Helgeson at March 20, 2007 05:00 PM