News - Remembering Nathan

Memorial Day is a holiday when we take time to pay tribute to our nation’s soldiers who gave their lives protecting our country in battle. Four years ago, Pfc. Nathan Brown of South Glens Falls gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country when he was killed in combat in Samarra, Iraq on April 11, 2004.

Brown, who was 21 at the time of his death, was assigned to the Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry, 1st armored division, better known as Charlie Company, based in Glens Falls, NY. He was killed when a rocket propelled grenade hit the Humvee he was ridding in. He was the first New York Army National Guard mobilized infantry soldier to die in enemy actions since World War II.

If you can recall, Brown and six of his comrades from Charlie Company were forever immortalized in the Tom Brokaw, NBC primetime special, “To War and Back.” The program told the story of a group of friends who joined the National Guard never expecting to go to war and how their lives and the lives of their families have been forever changed.

Thanks to the program and the thoughts of those who knew him, Nathan’s service to our country is something that will never be forgotten, but there was a lot more to him than just being a soldier. Nathan’s grandfather Raymond Brown said he will always remember his grandson for his big heart.

Kathy Brown, Nathan’s mother, said those who knew Nathan remember his smile, sense of humor and adventurous spirit. “He is very hard to forget and anyone that knew him will never forget him,” She said.

As an individual Nathan enjoyed skateboarding, playing video games, bike riding, hiking, paint ball, playing guitar, entertaining everybody and making them laugh, Kathy Brown said.

“He just loved life and he was a fun-loving individual,” she said.

Nathan’s ability to touch the lives of those who knew him including an entire community held true the day of his funeral when thousands of local residents lined the halls of St. Alphonsus Church in Glens Falls, including the streets of towns throughout the surrounding area to pay tribute to Nathan before he was laid to rest.

Kathy Brown said at the time the support from the community went unnoticed to her due to the shock associated with her son’s death.

“Now when I look back I realize people really do care, the whole community reached out to us throughout the grieving process and I don’t know if we would be here today if it wasn’t for our community, family and friends,” She said

Aside from being remembered by his family, Nathan is also in the hearts of many people from around the area and the country who honor and remember him in their own special way. Just a few of the websites that have been constructed for those who lost their lives defending America include Legacy.com and fallenheroesmemorial.com. These sites offer people a forum to leave comments to fallen soldiers and their families. The last comment posted on Nathan’s Fallen Heroes Memorial page reads as follows:

“To the family of Pfc. Nathan P. Brown: Nathan gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you,” signed Peggy Childers of Carson City, NV.

Nathan’s site is filled with comments from an array of people, some who knew him and some who didn’t, but they are all people who look to honor and never let the memory of Nathan or any other soldier for that matter fade away.

Here at home, Nathan is honored every year on April 11, the date of his death, by his family and friends who convene at Saratoga National Cemetery in order to pay tribute to his memory. The day includes a visit to Nathan’s resting place and a lunch afterwards where family and friends gather to share stories of him.

For this year’s Memorial Day, Kathy Brown, her husband Ricky Brown and their three surviving children, including various family members intend to once again visit the cemetery in order to memorialize their fallen hero—their son, their brother, their friend. Kathy Brown said they have very nice services at the cemetery, and it makes for a quiet and relaxing day.

Although Memorial Day is only a once a year occasion when we as a nation take time to remember fallen soldiers like Brown, there are many people who like Brown’s family spend everyday just trying not to forget those they have lost—to them everyday is Memorial Day.