School pays tribute to Army lieutenant
Brian Brennan honored at Howell football game
BY TOYNETT HALL Staff Writer
Jim and Joanne Brennan of Howell are at a loss for words. Since the news broke about their son, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Brian Brennan, and the injuries he sustained in Afghanistan, there has been what they called an outpouring of support from their community. The only way they could describe the massive efforts of so many was by saying that "ordinary people do extraordinary things."

Brian Brennan, 23, returned home to Howell in mid-September to continue his recovery from critical injuries he sustained earlier this year while serving in Afghanistan.

On Oct. 3 many people were witnesses to a deed some would call extraordinary when representatives of Howell High School presented a check in excess of $4,000 to Brennan during a ceremony prior to the Rebels' football game against Toms River North High School.

Brennan is a graduate of Howell High School and he played football for the Rebels.

As he sat patiently on the field talking with people as they came to greet him, Brennan said, "It has been awesome. The support I have received is unbelievable."

Although Brennan said he is very grateful for the compassion and support shown by his community, he said he wants every soldier who returns home to receive the same gratitude.

"Although this ceremony is in my honor, it is not just about me," the lieutenant said.

Ordinary people kept on with their task of performing extraordinary deeds outside the football field. Howell seniors Kaylynn Crosby and Brooke Magan sold pins made out of brown construction paper in the shape of a football with red, white and blue ribbons attached. The pins said "Brennan" and displayed the uniform number he wore for the Rebels, 86. The fundraiser came out of an elective class, Independent Living.

In addition to money raised in his hometown, Brennan will receive more than $4,000 from the Citadel Family Association of The Citadel, a military college in South Carolina. The funds will help the Brennans pay for an addition to their home to accommodate their son, who lost both of his legs in the improvised explosive device attack on the vehicle in which he was riding.

According to Mark and Kaye Youngren, chairs of the Citadel Family Association, "On Sept. 2 the Citadel Family Association was informed that Brian Brennan, class of 2006, had been severely injured while serving in Afghanistan. We immediately sent an e-mail to all our CFA volunteers asking for prayers for Brian. At the same time, the CFA started a fund to help retrofit Brian's home so his parents could better care for him. The response from our members was tremendous. (As of) Sept. 26, the CFA had collected $4,050."

The Oct. 3 ceremony in Brennan's honor was planned by Howell football coach Cory Davies, cheerleading adviser Deanna Markovitch and Principal Zina Duerbig.

Duerbig said the idea for the ceremony emerged after Davies learned what had happened to his former player. She said the high school focuses on community service.

"Howell High School has a longstanding tradition of helping graduates and members of the community. The students and staff here are very generous people," she said.

Jennifer Wan, captain of the cheerleading squad and Brennan's cousin, gave some insight as to how the funds were raised. She said the cheerleaders sold about 300 T-shirts at $10 each.

Anton Balsirow, president of Howell's student government, said the T-shirt sale, bake sales, ribbon and flag sales, and donations by various people all contributed to the money that was turned over to the Brennan family.

Markovitch, who has been a coach at the high school for 11 years, said she remembered when Brennan played football at Howell and immediately wanted to help him. She said the ceremony was aimed to show the young man that "he still has a family here at Howell High School."

Brennan performed the coin toss prior to the game pitting the Rebels against the Mariners. Toms River North prevailed on the gridiron, 21-7.

Jim and Joanne Brennan watched the manifestation of gratitude all around them. They said despite what people sometimes hear about society, there are "a lot of good people out there who have selflessly given of themselves."