"Currahee"

Wow. Simply wow.

#1 Rex on 2009-05-09 16:05 (Reply)

A most moving story. Thank you for posting this.

#2 John F. MacMichael on 2009-05-09 16:23 (Reply)

Men like this are what makes our country the best in the history of our planet.

#3 Bob on 2009-05-09 16:43 (Reply)

What a great and uplifting story. I agree completely with comments 1, 2 & 3.

It's a great thing indeed to see that Brian's parents and the Army, via Gen Patreus, continued to stand behind this man and never counted him out. It's also moving to see how once awake, Brian put forth the tremendous effort to not only recover, but to walk and then run.

I wish Brian and his family the very best, and I am proud of our men and women in service and wish them safety and success.

#4 John Biddle (Homepage) on 2009-05-09 17:24 (Reply)

Great testament to the human spirit. Brian's story proves that courage and faith can help move mountains. Bravo, Brian!

Also, pleasantly surprised to find The General winning other wars in other less known theaters. What a guy!

#5 Gagan on 2009-05-09 17:38 (Reply)

I would like to remind readers of Hillary Clinton's scurrilous defaming of General David Petraeus when he testified at a Senate hearing. Remember when she said, before even asking any questions, that one would have to "Suspend disbelief" while listening to the General. And THIS from a Clinton, of all people!

General David Petraeus is a great man. Hillary Clinton isn't fit to kiss his feet. History will judge them both and only one will be found wanting.

#6 Bryan Frymire on 2009-05-09 21:13 (Reply)

Excuse me, but the heroism was that of the wounded soldier, not the general ultimately responsible for his men. What heroism was there in what Petraeus did in this incident? Brian Brennan was responding to the motto of his unit. Nobody ever claimed Petraeus was stupid, and I grant it was a great guess by the general that Brian (who IS a hero) would respond to to his unit's motto. After all, Brian sacrificed so much for his unit, comrades and country that I'm not surprised his unit's motto would motivate him. But it was Brian who was the hero. Petraeus was merely in the presence of a hero. I fail to see why one should go all gooey over the general, when it was the soldier's loyalty to his unit and his comrades that really brought him around.
And your taking this opportunity to take a slap as a politician you don't like is wrong too. Given the context of Hillary's questioning of the general, Hillary had little reason to believe what the general was telling her. So don't use the heroism of our soldiers to puff up the reputation of someone (Petraeus) who is a consummate politician. And if you think a 4 star general is a soldier first and a politician second, you don't know anything about Federal service. get the stars out of your eyes, buddy.

#6.1 John Peloquin on 2009-05-10 14:44 (Reply)

You are a complete IDIOT!

As a two tour Vietnam Veteran, 1st tour with the 5th Special Forcese in Ben Het (in the Central Highlands) and the 2nd tour as a Huey and AH-1G Cobra gun pilot, I fought for your right to be able to say things that you posted - but it doesn't correct the fact that you are a complete ASSHOLE!

#6.1.1 Norm England on 2009-05-11 23:04 (Reply)

HOPE I GOT THE CORRECT ONE. PRETREAS, WAS OUR LEADER AND HIS ACTIONS WERE IN SUPPORT OF HIS MEN. HE WAS NOT SEEKING PRAISE HE WAS THERE TO HELP! YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE WHO WANTS TO START SPEAKING THE ARABIC LANGUAGE. WHY IS IT THAT YOU FOLKS DON'T GET IT. THEY WANT TO CONQUER US.

#6.1.2 CHESTER A. DUKE on 2009-05-16 18:20 (Reply)

Better yet...only one will be left "standing alone."

What a wonderful story to watch on a Mother's day weekend.

#6.2 Kelly Harkins on 2009-05-11 06:30 (Reply)

How blessed we are to have heroes such as these!

#7 Tom on 2009-05-09 22:55 (Reply)

Petraeus for President. 2012.

#8 Bill45 on 2009-05-09 23:08 (Reply)

It would have been perfect if, when Petraeus said "Currahee!" again at that event in New Jersey, the guy collapsed on the stage and went back into a coma. I think the Army is secretly hypnotizing these guys.

#9 khoee (Homepage) on 2009-05-10 01:21 (Reply)

you are a jerk

#9.1 jim on 2009-05-10 03:14 (Reply)

Kiss my ass. Go back to Cuba. I'm retired Navy and I spent 20 years fighting for the freedom of everyone in this country. Everyone, that is, except for your stupid dumb ass. Sir.

#9.2 Wayne on 2009-05-10 06:06 (Reply)

20 years in the Navy? Dude, standing outside the gate of the base offering BJ's to all the returning sailors does not count, FYI.

#9.2.1 Manny's Doctor (Homepage) on 2009-05-10 07:34 (Reply)

Indeed, you're a sad, sad little person, Manny's Dic. The military protect our freedoms. Wake up.

#9.2.1.1 MDDemocraticParty on 2009-05-10 09:48 (Reply)

Man, the wit. The wit. I wish I could be as witty as you. But I didn't have time. Let's see:

USS John F. Kennedy
USS Saratoga
USS Enterprise
USS Guam
USS Wasp
USS Nassau
USS Yorktown
USS Hyman G. Rickover
USS Phoenix
USS Key West
USS Trepang
Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia

See, some of us were actually busy doing stuff on ships, and not standing outside the gates giving blow jobs. So are your lips sore and you got cold sores all over them now?

#9.2.1.2 Wayne on 2009-05-10 09:57 (Reply)

for three and a half years i went where uncle sam said i needed to go and that's where i needed to be. my best friend died in my arms, the victim of a sniper's bullet, as i was trying to hold his brains in his head as his last breath was forever lost. you and all of the others who haven't been there, will never know the trust you need, have and want in the person next to you while you're fighting to stay alive. that person is closer to you than a brother when all hell breaks loose. you'll never know how that feels. you'll also never know what it is like to see your brother marine die in your nightmares night after night, and how helpless you are to stop that death. or how the survivor's guilt tears at your soul.
we who have served were trained, not as puppets, but as soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines, to do a thankless job, not for the money, but for the honor of serving our country. that last statement probably doesn't mean much to people like you. why? most people want to stand safely back at home, and whine because we who served and continue to serve, do so without thanks for the most part and we must surely be nothing but "brain washed baby killers" and other types of nonsense. it was for me a tremendous honor to serve beside dedicated men and women. for the most part we have come home to our lives richer for having served and while we are there we tend to leave the politics at the door, stay gracious when the visiting dignitary comes by for the "photo-op" they just cannot say no to and wave when they leave so they can come back to the real world to bad mouth us. they remind me of people like you who never serve and bad mouth us. they, like you haven't "been there, did that, done that, got the t-shirt". that much is plainly and utterly obvious. and we also treat people like just like the politicians, with scorn amusement, and just a touch of sorrow.

#9.3 the reverend on 2009-05-10 09:56 (Reply)

I thankyou! May God Bless you.

#9.3.1 Phyllis Neuville on 2009-05-11 14:13 (Reply)

There is a special place in Hell for you.

#9.4 JIM on 2009-05-11 08:37 (Reply)

Your an idiot. I know you say crap like this to get a responce, the only thing I can say is you will never know the pride that Lt Brennon feels being a member of the Army nor the closeness and similarities he has with the General. Thanks to brave men like this, you can continue living out your life as an idiot.

#9.5 Jim (retired) on 2009-05-27 19:39 (Reply)

wonderful reporting from CBS

#10 liberal on 2009-05-10 02:37 (Reply)

Ok, troll, I'll bite. This man overcomes a horrible injury and all you can do is denegrate him and tear him down? Is your life so impotent that this is how you get your jollies and feel like a big person? Be glad that people like him and those not so lucky sacrifice so you have the right to be an ignorant ass. Other countries would already have tracked you down by your IP address and black bagged you into a work farm or maybe just a hole in your back yard.

#10.1 Anonymous on 2009-05-10 05:48 (Reply)

Sorry, liberal, that was not directed at you, I was so angry I clicked reply on the wrong person. You are correct, this is a good piece of reporting.

#10.2 Anonymous on 2009-05-10 06:01 (Reply)

no sir, you are wrong, the constitution only says you have rights, it is the military that makes sure you keep them. do you think you can hold up a copy of the constitution to an enemy of ours and he will say 'gee whiz, i didn't know you had those rights, i'll go away now'? try it, go on just try it.what sickens me the most is that for 5 years i stood the line and protected nitwits like you. begone troll, your presense on this thread only shows the rest of us how ignorant you are.

#10.3 jim on 2009-05-10 11:03 (Reply)

This guy can't stand alone he needs plastic stumps to stand.

What a cold hearted murderer, it looks like while he didn't respond to his family, he responds to a death charge phrase.

Lock him up? Please?

#11 Wow on 2009-05-10 04:41 (Reply)

its not the constitution that gives you the right of free speech, its the soldier. think about it. you are a jerk.

#11.1 jim on 2009-05-10 05:23 (Reply)

You empty-headed fool. The Constitution guarantees our rights which are natural - i.e. from God. Our military defends our rights, it doesn't provide them.

This is an awesome story, but you're an idiot.

#11.1.1 Jason on 2009-05-10 10:28 (Reply)

yeah yeah yeah, the constitution says alot, however without the military all it is is a piece of paper. if you can't understand that you are the idiot. why do trolls come on this thread and try to incite us? this particular one would wet his pants in basic training just at the sight of a real soldier. a tough guy on the internet, but not a man, not even a boy, he is just a troll.

#11.1.1.1 jim on 2009-05-10 11:17 (Reply)

Jim:

Like it or not, the military is not the source of American liberty. Our armed forces have largely been deployed in defense of freedom throughout our history. But don't kid yourself that our military couldn't be misused as a tool of oppression as well - here or abroad.

The military is responsible for defending the USA from outside enemies; the people are responsible for protecting their own rights from erosion by power-hungry politicians and other citizens. Marines are great at killing people and blowing shi+ up, but retail politics ain't quite their thing.

And I'd have gotten through Basic just fine, thanks. It ain't like it takes freakin' Superman to do it. Millions have done it, and millions more will.

Military service is honorable deeply appreciated by myself and many others. BUT, it does not by itself confer "Hero" status upon you or anyone else, nor does it make you more entitled to an opinion on what makes and keeps America free. It especially doesn't make you entitled to be wrong about the source of our liberties.

The danger is that if you're supposed to be protecting our freedoms, but you think that you are responsible for their existence, you might just get to thinking that you have the right to decide who gets what freedoms. That's how you get countries like Iraq under Saddam, or North Korea, or dozens of other hellholes run by military dictators. Is that what you want?

#11.1.1.1.1 Jason on 2009-05-10 13:58 (Reply)

our military, under general washington, secured our rights from king george the 3rd of england. and our military has kept us free ever since both by overseas fighting and domestic fighting.we were invaded by england in the war of 1812 and by canada during the same war. poncho villa from mexico invaded us in the early 20th century, and japan did so in 1941. just because you didn't learn your history doesnt make whatever you say correct. now, get off my computer, go bother someone else, you don't deserve the freedom you are now abusing. go wet your pants.

#11.1.1.1.1.1 jim on 2009-05-10 14:31 (Reply)

I'm well aware of the history of our military and its exploits. I have a degree in US History, w/ emphasis on Military History. So if you're looking to test knowledge on US History, better eat your Wheaties, brother.

President Washington and the other Founders didn't want America to have standing armies (like we do now), as they believed a permanent military to be a threat to our freedom. Were Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, et. al. clueless, unpatriotic morons?

Too bad your myopic little worldview can't stand a challenge and some actual facts.

#11.1.1.1.1.1.1 Jason on 2009-05-10 14:51 (Reply)

washinton and our founding fathers certainly did want a standing military, otherwise there would not be one. washington had immense power as our 1st president, and could have disbanded our military if he wanted. and it is the 5th ammendment which talks about well regulated militias [which was the military in those times]which each state had to protect themselves. our founding fathers wrote the constitution in 1789, so they had some 13 years to study the matter after the declaration of independence and 6 years after the traty with england. we have had a standing army, navy and marine corps ever since. sometimes it has been small, sometimes large. in those days most able bodied men served in militias. of course had you had a degree in history, with an emphasis on military history, you would have known this. you would have known that washington had so much power that had he not wanted militias or a standing military, they would have been disbanded. now, go wet your pants again, you have been caught revising history.

#11.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 jim on 2009-05-10 17:03 (Reply)

Sorry. You're wrong re: standing armies. Just. Plain. Wrong.

The Founders were quite wary of standing armies due to their historical abuse by tyrants.

The reason we have a Second Amendment was in part to deter government from using a large standing army to oppress Americans. The Founders envisioned a citizen militia, not unlike many of the men who fought in the Revolution.

"'the constitution guarentees our rights....i.e. from god' " Nice edit of my writing to distort its meaning. So we can add "dishonest" to "undereducated" on your list of traits.

For the record, I'm not some punk college kid, nor am I a troll. I respect our military as much as you or anyone else. I have family members in harm's way. I support them fully, though I do have my doubts about the idiots in Washington.

#11.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Jason on 2009-05-10 20:36 (Reply)

All very true, and many of the founder warned against getting involved in alliances with foreign nations. Those alliances (e.g., NATO, ASEA) have become both the reason and the justification for our military, and have, in retrospect, made us less secure. For instance, why do we have thousands of troops in Germany (where they resent us) where there is no longer any threat, while millions of people flood our southern border? Why do American warriors risk their lives to prop up dictators in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other garden spots around the globe? Washington would be blowing his wig!

I speak from 21 years experience as an Air Force officer and 40 years of studying military history The only things I am sure of are that the founders believed our rights are derived from our creator -- not from men -- and that government is the greatest threat to liberty.

#11.1.1.1.1.1.1.2 gloftis (Homepage) on 2009-05-20 14:25 (Reply)

The founding fathers were major secularists. They didn't depend on God to defend us from King George, they picked up muskets and defended their property themselves. I challenge you to find the word "God" in our constitution. You won't, because our founding fathers believed that religious oppression was just as evil as tyrannical oppression.

You may know about military history and the fight against empirical tyranny, but you obviously know nothing of religious tyranny. Believing our rights are solely derived from the mandate of a mystical creature would only serve to plunge us into the depths of another dark age. Similar to what happened to Rome shortly (well, 200 years) after Constantine I legalized Christianity.

#11.1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1 Anonymous on 2009-06-05 15:43 (Reply)

and if you think god protects your rights[ the constitution says [creator] why does he not protect those rights in mexico[a catholic country]or england [a protestent country] or egypt [a muslim country] or israel [jewish country].? its the same god in all countries [god of abraham] however only in america are these rights acknowledged. the military by its presence keeps those rights for us, including your right to be a troll and a jerk. none of those other countries have freedom of speech, not even england, where you can still be jailed for mocking the queen !!! no, you got lucky being born in america, but if you are smart you will not sit at my dinner table and state your views, as there is no freedom to be stupid in my house.

#11.1.1.1.2 jim on 2009-05-10 15:01 (Reply)

I never said God protects our rights. God doesn't protect jack shi+. Quit frothing and READ what I wrote.

Our rights are self-evident. They just *exist*. You initially wrote that the military provides our rights, which they do not. Our rights of free speech/assembly/press/religion/etc. do NOT flow from the barrel of a gun. Military force is a TOOL to protect our rights. Nothing more.

We protect our rights, both through the force of arms and the ballot box. We can also deny those rights to ourselves and our fellow men.

What are you having trouble understanding? You're out of your depth here, and it's pretty sad to watch, really.

#11.1.1.1.2.1 Jason on 2009-05-10 15:50 (Reply)

'the constitution guarentees our rights....i.e. from god' your words, not mine. the constitution is a piece of paper, its like saying the radio guarentees our rights, neither the radio or the piece of paper can do anything. and a few more things, you do not have a degree in history, you , with your mouth, would have never made it through basic, and you are a fake and a troll, trying to incite. i suspect you are either a college student or teacher, who trolls around the net, looking for ways to incite, but we all know what you are by now. try waving the constitution at the taliban and tell them you have a 'right' to live, i suggest you not try it without the military behind you. go to mexico, organize a protest, and tell them you have the right to assemble, then see what happens. go to egypt and say you have the right to liberty, and you will find yourself in jail. the constitution is a piece of paper, the solider guarentees it.not you, not me, the solider.we are indeed fortunate to have a military that that guarentees these things for us, but , be advised, that with citizens like you, it may not always do so.

#11.1.1.1.2.1.1 jim on 2009-05-10 16:32 (Reply)

This is a wonderful story and I honour those who risk their lives in service to our nation. I wish though that those who have the courage to speak up against those in our government who violate the Constitution are granted the same respect. But no, too often they are reviled as 'hating America' or even as traitors.

This nation will never be destroyed from without, only from within and the best protection is an educated, active populous who hold their government officials accountable for the actions they take in our names.

#11.1.2 Kari on 2009-06-02 15:05 (Reply)

To which violations of the Constitution do you refer?

And if those violations do indeed exist, and the exhortations against them aren't merely used as an aid to enhance political rhetoric, does that really rise to the level of someone risking their physical safety for their country?

Why can't we let this video speak for itself, instead of making statements with provisos designed to make an off-topic point?

#11.1.2.1 Tom Elia on 2009-06-02 15:08 (Reply)

Most of the ones in the Bill of Rights, especially the 4th and 5th. The so called 'liberal' media spent 30 seconds reporting about the Bush appointed Federal judge who ruled that Bush's warrentless wire taps violated the FISA law. Those generals, soldiers or survivors such as Ms. Shehan who questioned Bush were called traitors in violation of their 1st amendment. Also, in violation of the 1st amendment was the favoritism shown religious groups that 'sold' the Bush agenda. Churches that disagreed were suddenly audited by the IRS.

Then there's the politiziation of various branches of government such as the Justice Dept. where Monica Goodling testified how people were hired based on their loyalty to Bush and not on their legal background.

These are statements of fact, testified under oath, written in memos by the perpetrators own hands. I could go on.

People who speak against injustice risk as much as anyone who carries a gun, frequently they speak alone. Martin Luther King, Milk and others have given their lives as much as any person in an uniform.

The American Revolution would never have occured without the writings and sayings of Franklin, Jefferson, Adams and Patrick Henry.

#11.1.2.1.1 kari on 2009-06-05 03:04 (Reply)

Your allegations of mass violations of the Constitution are not 'statements of fact.'

They are unmitigated, politically-motivated nonsense. Hyperbole dressed in faux outrage.

You write that 'you could go on,' and no doubt you will.

#11.1.2.1.1.1 Tom Elia on 2009-06-05 05:41 (Reply)

Great story of bravery and hope...It's too bad people had to politicize it in the comments. Please enjoy your freedom of speech and thanks him for helping you keep it.

#12 Why ? on 2009-05-10 04:55 (Reply)

America is filled with such brainwashed muppets. Do you people really believed this happened as reported?

You guys are brainwashed from birth to be blindly patriotic. Your whole society is built around war and the military. Your country is ALWAYS at war with someone.

The Iraq war was a complete fabrication by your government. How can you trust the same government and believe them about Afghanistan?

The American government lied about Vietnam and fabricated an event that brought you into that war. Even the original Gulf war was based upon American-made lies. Remember the stories of babies in incubators being dumped by Iraqi soldiers in Kuwait? All lies.

Don't be a chump. Wake up. Don't throw your life away like the fool in this story. America is a collection of corporations and the Military industrial complex. The flag and everything patriotic is completely artificial.

Just like the imaginary God in the sky, you are thinking like a child. Time to grow up and shed your childhood brainwashing.

#13 Reverend Rick White on 2009-05-10 07:17 (Reply)

Oh, of course, if someone doesn't agree with you, they're brainwashed or a fool. Sorry, but it doesn't work that way, as much as you wish it did. People are capable of making their own decision that are not necessarily the same as yours.

#13.1 Teri on 2009-05-25 19:18 (Reply)

Uh... Saddam actually did invade Kuwait before the start of the first Gulf War. The UN came to the US asking for military support and we gave it to them. When we had successfully pushed the republican guard back into Baghdad, we left. Get your facts straight, ya under-educated myopic eurotrash limey.

#13.2 Anonymous on 2009-06-05 15:53 (Reply)

How nice. Except for the fact that we never should have been there in the first place, and HE never should have been there, and this never should have happened.

So yeah, except for the fact that he never should have been injured in the first place, he's a miracle. Truly God is working for this person, what with subjecting him to such grevious injury for such a worthless war.

Salute away, sheeple. All you Republicans - YOU caused this and YOU enable this. His blood is on YOUR hands. It is YOUR fault he was injured. YOU are just as GUILTY of wronging this man as the FREEDOM FIGHTERS who planted the explosives. You people make me sick.

The fact that Obama goes along with this rather than do the right thing and arrange an immediate surrender just shows how far the corruption goes.

#14 Steve Vance on 2009-05-10 09:10 (Reply)

Surrender? Oh my god you are pathetic... Coffee shop poet perhaps? Drama major? Drag queen?

#14.1 mdlovin (Homepage) on 2009-05-10 14:28 (Reply)

So what if America being the land of the free and the home of the brave is just a soap job... I've come to terms with that. The important thing is that this IS the greatest civilization in history. I understand the MIC and how the Bilderberg is shaping everything, so what. We can't control anything. Might as well revel in the fact that we have what we have RIGHT NOW and quit whining. I am a vet and a businessman...America was good business. Nevertheless, It is MY COUNTRY. GOOD OR BAD I WONT TRASH IT.

#15 joebob on 2009-05-10 10:00 (Reply)

"So what if America being the land of the free and the home of the brave is just a soap job... I've come to terms with that. The important thing is that this IS the greatest civilization in history. I understand the MIC and how the Bilderberg is shaping everything, so what. We can't control anything. Might as well revel in the fact that we have what we have RIGHT NOW and quit whining. I am a vet and a businessman...America was good business. Nevertheless, It is MY COUNTRY. GOOD OR BAD I WONT TRASH IT."

/facepalm

#15.1 solidsteele on 2009-05-11 02:06 (Reply)

A true American - I see real people like this young man then think of how pathetic people like Pelosi Reid and etc are.

#16 mTm on 2009-05-10 11:09 (Reply)

No truer words written on this page.

A hero, for sure.

#16.1 ster on 2009-05-11 11:35 (Reply)

After reading all of the above, it looks like there are some real idiots here, and that doesn't bode well for unity in America. Yes, different opinions are OK, but such virulence of feeling. Too much anger in words show an equal amount of insecurity in some of you. Someone above stated that he could handle boot camp with ease as millions already have.........don't count on it pal............it is tough and would weed out 'weenies' like you very quickly. Our Constitution is the code with which we live by and all of those who have answered the call should be honored. Any comments by either Clinton should be taken with a grain of salt; she protected the black panther people right out of law school; he dodged the draft, and also got his 'small'...it turns to the left...........weenie polished by a mutt.......and did you know that neither Clinton could balance a check book back in Arkansas days, and he DID inhale. Pelosi is more dangerous than a whore with AIDS, as is Reid, Frank, Dodd, and that whole bunch of morons. signed Veteran, Business man, and author.

#17 don ward (Homepage) on 2009-05-10 19:19 (Reply)

Wife of SFC. T. Hansen, NJANG for 23 yrs. Ret. Deceased. Wish all of you all would get off your computers and do something as honorable as this young man. Who in the world would should have all this time to rant on and on about stuff. God took a special interest in the USA and sometime I wonder why he bothered. but I am so thankful that I have lived and served him and this wonderful country for 72 yrs..

#18 Barbara Hansen on 2009-05-11 22:49 (Reply)

Well put Mrs. Hansen. It's really sad when supposed adults can't play in the same sandbox.
Well, it's a free country, for the time being. I just wish they had enough class to act this way elsewhere.
SGT G-out.

#18.1 agriffin on 2009-05-12 23:10 (Reply)

Thanks SGT.G... It's amazing the childishness that's displayed here. To all who have served our country... I thank you!

#18.1.1 low on 2009-05-23 16:19 (Reply)

I would just like to thank from the bottom of my heart all those that have served, we are in your debt. My dad served in WWII, I myself have never served and stand in awe of what you have done and are doing. Thank you and God Bless

#19 Gary K on 2009-05-13 19:09 (Reply)

This video was just wonderful.
All Americans should be so proud of our men and women who are defending our wonderful country and flag.

#20 Jo Ann Cooper on 2009-05-15 10:56 (Reply)

I praise God that Gen Pretreas had the hunch to go back again, and I praise the soilder for what he has done for us, and I praise the parents for sharing this story of courage to bless all of us.

#21 Helen Neill on 2009-05-15 16:16 (Reply)

This is the exact reason we are free. Free to make personal choices, free to speak our minds, even if it is to ignorantly criticize a soldier for the war instead of the politicians who brought them to the war. Free to fly our flag, or freedom to crawl out of the gutter and burn it. Free to choose our religion or not one at all. Every freedom we have we owe to the men and women in uniform since the beginning of our history. So, too, do many other countries. Freedom is far from free, and this outstanding young man is only 1 example of those millions of soldier who have paid for our freedom! No, our freedom is not free, just ask this young man or his family, or the families of those who did not survive the roadside bomb that took his legs. God Bless all our soldiers, and bring them home safe.

#22 Vi Brown on 2009-05-15 18:56 (Reply)

Currahee! I have profound admiration and respect for both these great patriots and thank God there are courageous people like them protecting our nation.

#23 Ed on 2009-05-18 16:29 (Reply)

Wonderful news item. It is a shame that the newpaper media don't report stories like this. Unfortunately, we only get the slanted news that the liberal media wants us to have. God Bless our soldiers, sailors, airmen & marines. We, as a country, are fortunate to have such dedicated individuals ensuring our freedom. I served, I have a son who served and I would be proud to see one or more of my five grandsons go away to defend our rights.

#24 John Kellett on 2009-05-20 12:23 (Reply)

HOA! Air Assault, Airborne, Pathfinder, Ranger, & yes Special Forces are ALL part of the Brothers-In-Arms. This guy is truly special and I for one am proud to have served with the 101st as a 1SG of the 501, 502, and The Air Assualt School. God Bless all and I pray that they ALL come Back healthly & OK.
This LT I Salute YOU. HOA

#25 Dan Bellina Ret 1SG on 2009-05-20 22:01 (Reply)

As a member of the US Army who is counting down my 18th year of service to this country, I would like to thank the LT for his sacrifices like the 1SG did. I too wore the "Screaming Eagle" on my shoulder as a Rakkasan and I can only hope that all service members abroad can and will come home safe to their families soon!!! HOA to them all!!!

#25.1 SGT McBride on 2009-05-24 18:13 (Reply)

I am proud to claim Lt. Brian Brennan as a fellow Citadel Graduate. He wears the ring!
Osborne Oakley '58, 20th SFGA

#26 o oakley on 2009-05-25 09:31 (Reply)

_____________________________________

It's young men and women like Lt. Brian Brennan who are the backbone of our country. Our heroes, both past and present, deserve a MUCH better nation than they're getting! It's pepole like THEM who support and protect this country from the evil in this world - NOT the idiotic politicians that we morons continue to elect simply because they talk a much better game than they can or are WILLING to play once they get elected. After the elections are over, it seems, their most important priority is getting re-elected and advancing their own agenda - America and its citizens be damned!

I, for one, am completely disillusioned with the voting public of the United States. Will we ever elect enough "true patriots" to office to make a real difference and save this country from the politicians who are trying to flush it down the drain or give it away to the rest of the world? We can only hope!! God help us!

Lt. BRIAN BRENNAN, I am a Viet Nam-era vet who considers you and your fellow service members, regardless of branch of service, to be true American heroes. Thank God this country has produced people like you! Currahee!!
_____________________________________

#27 Mike Funkhouser on 2009-05-25 12:34 (Reply)

as a combat medic in vietnam in 1969 it still amazes me to see what some of these young soldiers can do after being wonded so severly i watched this video of the captain with the 101st airborne and it brought tears to my eyes i wish him the best in his efforts to recover from his wounds.

#28 gary clark on 2009-05-28 21:25 (Reply)

I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN... anyone that says otherwise... can be a fucking towelhead and blow themselves up

#29 Anonymous on 2009-05-30 00:13 (Reply)

This story brought tears to my eyes. I am so proud to be an American because of soldiers such at Lt. Brian Brennan. Thank you so much for sacrificing so much for this great nation, the United States of America.

#30 Linda Cummings on 2009-05-31 16:50 (Reply)

I am so proud and humbled by the actions of our service men and woman around the world. Living in the greatest country in the world is because of people like Lt. Brennan. A big thank you to all our troops, past and present including and never forgotten all KIA,MIA,and POWs.
I will never forget the sacrifices all of you have made to keep us safe.
God bless you and God bless the United States of America.
Thank you

#31 Tom & Roxanne on 2009-06-02 01:30 (Reply)

To say thank you does not seem to be enough. My son just spent his 25th birthday in Iraq. We live the life we live because of men and women like him. They all deserve the love and respect of all Americans.

#32 Jane on 2009-06-04 16:11 (Reply)

To all serving military, former military and supporters of the military - let's take a deep breath here.

I was in the US Army from 1958 to 1989 - 31 years. Those years included two tours in Vietnam and one in Beirut (1982-1983) – all three in close combat. I "retired" in 1989 and went into the business world. The things that I learned in the Army helped me to do a good job in civilian life and earn an unbelievable (to me) amount of money over the next 16 years. But every minute of every hour of every day of those 16 civilian years I missed the Army and the people I had served with in the Army.

Why?

Because those that I served with – those people who actually had or were willing to put their lives on the line for all that is dear to us, who were willing to risk all that they ever were or had ever hoped to be – were my brothers. I include David Petraeus and Brian Brennan in that group. As free people, all of us have confronted and answered the three eternal questions:

What is worth living for?

What is worth fighting for?

What is worth dying for?

They – and I – know that the vast majority of our fellow citizens have never addressed these questions - most of them have never even thought about them.

And we also know that that's good. Ordinary citizens should not have to think about such things. During the last census more than 10,000,000 men identified themselves as Vietnam Veterans (not Vietnam Era Veterans). In truth there are fewer than 2,700,000 Vietnam Veterans. Plus, it would seem, more than 7,000,000 “wanna-bees” who, in the words of Shakespeare’s Henry V, “ … (H)old their manhoods cheap whilst any speaks … (t)hat fought with us … “.

We veterans appreciate those who support us, and we understand that they understand – to some degree - what we did and continue to do.

While we resent those who denigrate and insult us, our comrades, or our deeds, those people really do not merit our attention. There are many more important things for us to think about and to do. It is enough that those people are free to do as they please as long as it is legal. It ill becomes us even to respond to them – they simply do not understand if they have not served in combat.

And, after all is said and done, their right to make such comments is included in the broader scope of our answers to the three questions.

Is it not?

May peace be with you all.

#33 Eagle on 2009-06-05 00:36 (Reply)

I pray for the proud men and women who serve our fine country. Great story.

#34 Katrina on 2009-06-05 15:59 (Reply)

Those not interested in combat should read "Inside the Revolution" by Joel Rosenberg. You who hate this country as much as you say have not the hate of the US like the Radical Muslim's do. They will strike again and then you'll want the protection and bravery of men like this. War is inevitable, we're flawed and that's just the way it is.

God help us when they strike.

Ironside

#35 ironside on 2009-06-06 17:12 (Reply)

As a retired sholdier with two tours in VN, I reflect on a quote that we had in the 11th ACR:

"Your have never lived
til you've almost died
For those who fight for it,
Life has a flavor
the protected will never know."

God Bless our men and women in uniform and God Bless the USA!

#36 phil on 2009-06-08 14:07 (Reply)

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