Hero humbled by fanfare - SPC Monica Brown

[darrels joy]

Hero humbled by fanfare

By John Lowman The Facts

Published June 15, 2008
LAKE JACKSON — The crowd stood to applaud Monica Brown seven times Saturday at a ceremony honoring her service to America, but she wondered what all the fuss was about.

The Army specialist is the second woman since World War II to receive the Silver Star. She was awarded the medal for saving the lives of five fellow soldiers when their Humvee convoy came under fire in Afghanistan in April 2007.

More than 200 people crowded into the plaza behind the Lake Jackson Civic Center on Saturday — which also was Flag Day, the Army’s 233rd birthday and the 100th anniversary of the Army Reserves — to honor Brown, who was humbled by all the hoopla. Lake Jackson Marine veteran and Silver Star recipient Art Vandaveer introduced his comrade-in-arms, one branch and a generation removed.

“She understands honor,” Vandaveer said in a brief but rousing speech. “She understands commitment. She understands what it means to be a hero.

“I represent the old generation,” he said. “We’re here to honor the new generation of citizen warriors. A new generation of warriors who have grabbed liberty’s flag, held it high and told the world, ‘This is not going down on my watch.’”

God has blessed America, Vandaveer said, and freedom is the greatest blessing of all. People like Brown defend and preserve that privilege, he said.

“You give us the opportunity to make a fuss,” he said, turning toward Brown. “Thank you.”

Wearing a maroon beret and camouflage fatigues, a soft-spoken Brown addressed the crowd that was bursting with applause and cheers.

“OK, OK. It’s all too much to handle,” she said, smiling. “I can’t follow any of the speeches these men gave today. I don’t expect anything from any one of you, but thank everyone. I thank everyone I was with the day all that happened. Thank you to all who are over there fighting right now. And thank you to all the family members waiting patiently for their soldiers to come home.

“To everyone who supports us, it means so much,” Brown said. “Thank you.”

Former presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul, R-Lake Jackson, does not support the war in Afghanistan or Iraq, but he does support U.S. troops anywhere they are, he said.

“This is a very enjoyable event for me because it’s so positive,” Paul said. “We don’t come together as Republicans or Democrats, liberals or conservatives, we come as Americans.”

Paul is working in Congress on a pair of resolutions honoring Brown’s service and heroism.

“Why do people stand up and do the right thing at the right time?” he said. “Parents and community have a great influence, and this is a great community.”

Lake Jackson Mayor Bob Sipple emceed the event, thanking everyone there for their positive attitudes. Youths today have many choices, including college, trade schools, careers and the military, he said. Those who choose to serve their country are doing a good job, he said.

“They do their duties like no other,” Sipple said. “Their commitment and discipline to do their jobs is an inspiration to us all. Monica Brown didn’t want to do this today, because she said she was just doing her job. But we didn’t give her a choice. We’re all able to do our jobs because she and others do theirs.”

Army recruiter Lt. Col. Toimu Reeves thanked Brown for her service.

“We’re celebrating a soldier who is the epitome of the modern Army,” Reeves said. “The American soldier is the most potent weapon in our arsenal. It is soldiers who represent the centerpiece of our military. Never let us forget that.”

The Brazoria County Cavalry, riding motorcycles instead of horses, escorted Brown from a helicopter landing at Lake Jackson Intermediate School to the Civic Center grounds. Member Tracy Read gave Brown a Cavalry cap and member Terry Jensen played the National Anthem on trumpet.

Also at the ceremony, officials unveiled a sign designating the bottomland trail at Dow’s Centennial Park as, “SPC Monica Brown Trail” after the avid runner.

Sipple read a letter from U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison before attendees headed inside to see a video presentation from U.S. Sen. John Cornyn during a reception for Brown.
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