My Brother Is A Soldier, My Brother Is My Hero, This Is My Tribute To Him

We're in there somewhere. That was our band. The military marching pride of the Humble Wildcats. Ken is sixth row up from the very bottom, second from the left.

In school we were identical in every way up until the fifth grade, where our differences started to manifest themselves. In school, Ken was always pretty laid back. We both started playing instruments in fifth grade. He played saxophone and I picked up trumpet. He was always pretty good at playing the sax, and we continued to do well in band all the way up until we graduated high school. We pretty much had the same friends when it came to band, but away from that, we were two totally different people.

He had a girlfriend most of the time, I was always the nerd taking harder classes than I needed to. He was sorta rebellious, I pretty much minded the rules. I remember one time we tried to switch classes on our teachers, and we got caught. I think he ratted me out! Ken had his friends, but most of his time he spent with his girlfriend, while I hung out with my nerd buddies. I always seemed to need others around me, while Kenneth always sorta went his own way, did his own thing.

Man, he sure loves that car! Why, I don't know. I'm a chevy guy!

Graduation time. Our sister had fled our home and graduated from another high school, and started her life. My brother and I graduated from our hometown high school like we were supposed to do. I had never given any thought to my life after school. Ken had decided long before graduation to join up with the Navy. And he did. We attended a Metallica concert the day before his "ship out" date, he was late, of course, but off he went to see the world. My best friend decided he was gonna sign up with the Air Force, and fearing being left behind by everyone else, I decided to go with him. So off I went to beautiful Abiline, Tx.

Kenneth got to travel all over the place. He talked alot about the mediterranean, and Greece, Turkey, and Spain, so I guess he really liked it over there. He started Navy Seal training, but traded assignments with another fella who didn't show for his end of the deal, so they tossed him out of the Seal program. He didn't wanna be just another deck-hand, so he became a rescue swimmer and did that until he got out of the navy. I think he loved the Navy and hated it at the same time.

We kept in distant contact, mostly through our mother. The military life wasn't for me, so my career was short. I got my honorable discharge from the Air Force and got out, hung around town with some unsavory people for a while, but started my current career after a waking up to reality. Ken really didn't like the military lifestyle, but he stuck it out longer than I did. Soon, we left our military days behind us, at least I did. I started a career as an aircraft mechanic, which I continue to do today. Ken wandered around a bit, but always managed to get by just fine. He finally attended the same trade school as I did, got his license to repair planes, and now has the same job I do, fixing planes.

As we have gotten older, we have become closer. We love football season. Getting together on sundays to watch the Texans, have some beers together, maybe cook something on the grill once in a while. It's like things have sorta come full circle. We are closer with our sister, who also has an awesome life. Our mother is starting out on her own again, which has brought our sister and her closer. And If I know Kenneth, that makes him extremely happy. He always voiced his love for our mother louder than any of the three of us.

He loves this picture, too. I think it's cause it's what he believes. He is a Texan and he never backs down.

Founded in 1942, the Blue Star Mothers Of America is a terrific not-for-profit nationwide organization of mothers who have or had children serving honorably in the United States military.  Originally for mothers who had sons or daughters serving during WWII, the organization now includes anyone who has a direct family member that is serving or has served with an honorable discharge.

 

"Just as when it was founded, the Blue Star Mothers continues to concentrate on providing emotional support to its members, doing volunteer work with veterans in general and veteran's hospitals in particular, and generally fostering a sense of patriotism and respect for members of the Armed Forces. In addition, local chapters carry out individual projects of their own choosing.

Blue Star Mothers do much more than volunteer in VA hospitals and outreach centers. They work in physical and emotional rehabilitation, help with medical supplies, transportation, food, clothing and friendship, gratitude and love.

Blue Star Mothers have been active in civil defense since 1942, doing things like finding food and shelter for people devastated by hurricane and floods."

 -Source:  Wikipedia

 

Ken during his first tour in Iraq.

September 11th changed me and my brother alot. I became more cynical about the world in general, and more vocal about it. Ken actually went out and did something about it. He went right back into the military. I couldn't believe it. He signed up for the Army National Guard, and now belongs to a field artillary unit out of Beaumont, Tx.

He didn't make the first round of troops to go to Iraq, so he volunteered to do the border patrol mission. He was stationed on the Texas/Mexico border and worked down there for over a year. He loved it. When Katrina hit, he was stationed at the Astrodome and helped the evacuees from New Orleans. Then right after that Hurricane Rita (I think) hit and he was all over the Texas/Louisiana border/coast clearing debris and helping those who couldn't help themselves. He loved it all.

Life was never handed to either of us on a silver plate. So what does Ken do? He sacrifices his time and body for very little pay to give back to his country and communities. It chokes me up every time I think about it. The electric company didn't care when they cut his lights off. He tried to explain that while deployed, he didn't earn near as much money, so his bills would be a little late. They don't care, they just want their money. Americans that treat the givers of freedom that way make me want to vomit. Does he hold a grudge? No. He puts his work clothes on and goes to work every day. But then his wish came true.

Around the time of the troop surge, they circulated a sign-up list for volunteers to go to Iraq. Ken and a small group volunteers raised their hand and said "yes". My god were we afraid. Not wanting to hurt my mother, he told her that he was simply ordered to go. I began to think about our lives. I realized that not one time did I ever tell my brother that I loved him.

Kenneth being Baptized right before his first tour in Iraq.

The departure ceremony was the next day. We had travelled to New Bruanfels, Tx. to see him and the unit off. That night, after my mother had said goodbye and drove back to Houston a complete mess, my brother and I found a local sports bar and had a few drinks to enjoy a little time together before he left. He cherishes his 1990 mustang GT, and asked me to keep it in my driveway until he returned. Of course I would. We drove back to the hotel that night, and I remember it like it was yesterday. I decided that since I might never see him again, now was not the time to leave things unsaid. I began to cry (which as a full grown man, I had never done in front of him). As I hugged him as strong as I could, I said to him "I love you, brother". Did he cry? No. He's a soldier, and soldiers don't cry. He said "I know. Please take care of her (his mustang)". As I got in his car to drive it home, I looked over at him and I caught him wiping a tear off his face.

He did return, and now he's due to go back this October. I thought back when he first left that if he ever did have to go over there again, at least it wouldn't be as hard on us emotionally. Boy, was I ever wrong. Here I sit a few months to go, and I am scared to death again. It's not any easier. I would give anythng if I could go and sit right next to him in that Hummer turret. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything were to happen to him without me there. I'm not a very religious person, but I pray to god that he makes it home again.

Oue beloved sister, April, welcoming Ken home after his first tour.

When Ken leaves, I will once again put my blue star flag on my car and it will stay there until he returns. My blue star flag will stay in the front window of my house until he returns. If he doesn't come home, they will be gold star flags, and they will stay there until the day that I die.

The DAV provides free assistance to veterans in obtaining benefits and services earned through their military service. Donate your time or make a monetary contribution to show gratitude and respect for all those who have paid such a heavy price for yours and my freedom. This is a wonderful way to give back to those who have given us so much.

The American Soldier has given more blood for the freedoms of others than any other soldier in the world. That is their duty. It is OUR duty to take care of them once they return home, dead or alive.