An Oklahoma soldier killed in Iraq made life better for the people there, his family and friends were told Monday.
Army Spc. Adam Noel Brewer, 22, "was proud to serve his country, proud when Baghdad fell and proud when victory was declared," said the Rev. Rod MacIlvaine, who presided over Brewer's funeral service at Grace Community Church.
Brewer was killed Feb. 25 near Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on patrol. Brewer was serving a second tour in Iraq and was scheduled to return home this month.
Bartlesville Mayor Ted Lockin declared March 7, 2005 "Adam Noel Brewer Day" in a proclamation read prior to the opening of a City Council meeting Monday night.
"I would like to take a moment to give tribute to one of our own," Lockin said before reading the proclamation.
Lockin said Brewer had "answered his country's call and joined the United States Army, reflecting the hometown values of courage, honor and devotion to duty.
"Because of the bravery and fidelity of SPC. Brewer and other outstanding members of the armed forces like him, we are able to walk the streets of Bartlesville in freedom and security today," Lockin said.
"We, the members of the Bartlesville City Council and the residents of our fair city desire to pay solemn homage and honor to SPC Brewer for the sacrifice he made for us all."
MacIlvaine told grieving family members at Brewer's afternoon funeral that they had reason for pride.
"You looked forward to his return and you were shocked when you heard the news of his death," MacIlvaine told about 350 in attendance. "I know his passing has been hard. But for the rest of your life, whenever you see his picture or mention his name, you can be proud.
"He was proud for what he did."
Brewer was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment out of Fort Hood, Texas. He joined the Army after graduating from Bartlesville High School in 2001.
"He was a boy who left to join the Army, and the Army made him a man," MacIlvaine said.
After graduating from Bartlesville High School in 2001, Brewer enlisted in the Army and was married in December of that year, the pastor said.
After being stationed in Germany, Brewer "was part of the original invasion that began in March 2003 in Iraq," the pastor said.
"My heart just aches for Karen and Jeff," said an uncle, John Brewer. "It just doesn't seem right that Adam had to leave so soon."
Besides his wife, Molly, of Bartlesville; Brewer is survived by his mother, Karen Brewer of Tulsa; his father, Jeffrey and stepmother, Debi, of Bartlesville, and a sister, Jennifer Sullivan of Tulsa.
The soldier's legacy, MacIlvaine said, will be that "not only did he defend our country but he defended the values of freedom that we hold so dear.
"It is soldiers like Adam who have made life so much better for those who have been liberated."
Emily Glass (Diamond)
Hooah.
http://www.examiner-enterprise.com/articles/2005/03/08/news/4865.txt
An Oklahoma soldier killed in Iraq made life better for the people there, his family and friends were told Monday.
Army Spc. Adam Noel Brewer, 22, "was proud to serve his country, proud when Baghdad fell and proud when victory was declared," said the Rev. Rod MacIlvaine, who presided over Brewer's funeral service at Grace Community Church.
Brewer was killed Feb. 25 near Taji, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated while he was on patrol. Brewer was serving a second tour in Iraq and was scheduled to return home this month.
Bartlesville Mayor Ted Lockin declared March 7, 2005 "Adam Noel Brewer Day" in a proclamation read prior to the opening of a City Council meeting Monday night.
"I would like to take a moment to give tribute to one of our own," Lockin said before reading the proclamation.
Lockin said Brewer had "answered his country's call and joined the United States Army, reflecting the hometown values of courage, honor and devotion to duty.
"Because of the bravery and fidelity of SPC. Brewer and other outstanding members of the armed forces like him, we are able to walk the streets of Bartlesville in freedom and security today," Lockin said.
"We, the members of the Bartlesville City Council and the residents of our fair city desire to pay solemn homage and honor to SPC Brewer for the sacrifice he made for us all."
MacIlvaine told grieving family members at Brewer's afternoon funeral that they had reason for pride.
"You looked forward to his return and you were shocked when you heard the news of his death," MacIlvaine told about 350 in attendance. "I know his passing has been hard. But for the rest of your life, whenever you see his picture or mention his name, you can be proud.
"He was proud for what he did."
Brewer was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment out of Fort Hood, Texas. He joined the Army after graduating from Bartlesville High School in 2001.
"He was a boy who left to join the Army, and the Army made him a man," MacIlvaine said.
After graduating from Bartlesville High School in 2001, Brewer enlisted in the Army and was married in December of that year, the pastor said.
After being stationed in Germany, Brewer "was part of the original invasion that began in March 2003 in Iraq," the pastor said.
"My heart just aches for Karen and Jeff," said an uncle, John Brewer. "It just doesn't seem right that Adam had to leave so soon."
Besides his wife, Molly, of Bartlesville; Brewer is survived by his mother, Karen Brewer of Tulsa; his father, Jeffrey and stepmother, Debi, of Bartlesville, and a sister, Jennifer Sullivan of Tulsa.
The soldier's legacy, MacIlvaine said, will be that "not only did he defend our country but he defended the values of freedom that we hold so dear.
"It is soldiers like Adam who have made life so much better for those who have been liberated."