Injured soldier to head home

Lt. Brian Brennan

Army 1st Lt. Brian Brennan, 23, of Howell, does not stand alone. Although Brennan lost his legs to amputation and suffers from an acute brain injury, his family and friends are working to help stabilize the young man's future.

 

Brennan, a graduate of Howell High School, was critically injured while on a mission in the 2nd Platoon Delta Company, 506th Infantry Division, 101st Airborne, patrolling villages in Afghanistan.

According to information provided by his family, "On March 20, improvised explosive devices blew up the Humvee in which Brian was riding, splitting the vehicle in half and hurling Brian and the driver, Spc. Ryan Price of California, a distance of 40 feet in separate directions. The second explosion killed the three young men in the back of the Humvee."

Brennan spent 26 hours in a field hospital and was then flown to Germany, before being transported to Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, D.C.

On May 11, Jim and Joanne Brennan gathered by their son's bedside.

Quickened with a sense of urgency, four friends of the family established a trust fund called "Stands Alone" in order to help the Brennans handle all of the expenses they have amassed in order to be with Brian in Washington, D.C., and then at a veterans hospital in Florida.

Teresa Smith of Howell, who helped to establish the fund, has known the Brennans for 15 years. She said she reached out to the family because it was the right thing to do.

"Brian is a hero, a true American. He gave up a lot for us to have freedom. I would do anything to help," Smith said.

Chester Popek of Howell, another family friend, shared Smith's sentiments.

"I have known Brian since he was 6. Brian and my son Michael have been friends ever since the days of Howell Pop Warner football. Brian has always been a fighter, small in stature, big in heart, a very determined individual," Popek said.

Howell High School football coach Cory Davies coached Brennan on the Rebels' football team. He said he remembers the young man having a "very evident burning desire to succeed and do well."

"Brian played with a warrior spirit. He had a tremendous work ethic," Davies said. "It is unfortunate what happened to him. However, the trust fund is a great idea and Brian will come through with flying colors serving as an inspiration to others."

The Brennans saw their friends' gesture as an opportunity to give, and they have taken on the mission to provide the families of veterans with financial and emotional support.

"Once we have made arrangements for Brian's return, we plan to hold annual fundraisers to raise money to help wounded service people and their families so Brian can serve as an inspiration to their recoveries and to provide financial support as well," Joanne Brennan said.

"When a soldier's family arrives at Walter Reed, I want to arrange for us to be notified so Brian can visit and motivate them and demonstrate that miraculous recoveries are possible. He wants to give them hope as well as financial support that will help the injured soldiers and their families along the path to recuperation," she said.

Jim Brennan spoke about his son's resilient spirit to live. He said his son's determination to overcome his injuries has given they family strength.

According to information provided about Brennan, the soldier displayed his determination to live in the following way:

"On June 10, Brian lay at Walter Reed mentally unresponsive. It was there that Gen. David H. Petraeus (the U.S. commander in Iraq) came to see Brian and despite speaking with him at length, Brian remained mentally unresponsive.

"Just as he was leaving the room, Gen. Petraeus spoke the word 'Currahee,' a Cherokee Indian word meaning 'stands alone,' the motto of Brian's military company, the 101st. Suddenly Brian sat up at attention and became extremely emotional. From that moment, Brian's recovery has been amazing, defying every medical prediction."

Since June 10, Brennan has never stood alone. His parents, Jim and Joanne, his brothers, James and Jasen, and his sister, Karen, have been by his side at various times.

Jim Brennan said the constant presence of at least one family member has strengthened not only Brian, but the entire family.

"We've been together, leaning on each other, for the entire time," Brennan said.

He said that is the major emphasis for the "Stands Alone" trust fund foundation.

Brennan said he has seen several instances where family members could not stay with their wounded loved one because of work obligations or lack of money.

"The government and the Army do what they can to make it a little easier, but there are things they can't help you with, like full health insurance coverage, mortgages, credit cards, all the unforeseen expenditures" that occur, Brennan said.

"We are looking to enable families to stay with their loved ones throughout recovery. It is a fact that when the family is involved and around, the patient does better," he said.

Fundraising efforts for the trust fund have not started yet because, according to Brennan, "We wanted to make sure that Brian would be OK. Once we are under way, we will keep the community that we live in at the forefront."

Brennan is scheduled to be discharged from the James A. Haley Veterans Administration Hospital in Tampa, Fla., on Sept. 19.

His mother is preparing the family's home for Brian's return, with major renovations needed to accommodate wheelchair access in the hallways and doorways.

Contributions to the trust fund or inquiries about fundraising events may be sent to the Lt. Brian Brennan "Stands Alone" Trust Fund, 10 Stratton Dr., Howell, NJ 07731.

For further information about fundraising efforts and the trust fund, contact Teresa and Bill Smith, 732-363- 5304; Lynn and Dan Daly, 732-458-3147; Colleen and Chester Popek, 732-364-6465; or Barbara and Dave Heiser, 732-840- 2178.

Contact staff writer Toynett Hall at howell@gmnews.com.