By Mara Lee and Charles Stoffers, grandparents of Sgt. Joshua Charles Brennan (1985 – 2007)
Some day as you're strolling the Crystal Cathedral grounds, look for the "Walk of Faith" stepping stone attributed to Sgt. Joshua Charles Brennan (located adjacent to The Bronze Eagle sculpture outside the Memorial Gardens).
Joshua, our first grandchild, born May 30, 1985, was a selfless young man with a delightful sense of humor, high morals and wonderful personality. He was soft spoken, respected others, enjoyed music, and exhibited great public humility. Josh felt called to serve his country, so following his high school graduation, he joined the Army (September 2003) and fulfilled one of his fondest dreams - to become a paratrooper with the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
Josh was stationed in Vicenza, Italy, for a year before being deployed to Afghanistan (2004). Among the tragedies experienced there was the day his lieutenant was shot by a sniper and Josh made every effort to save his life. For his heroism, Josh was named Soldier of the Year for the 173rd Airborne Brigade and given a bronze star - a rare recognition for a soldier of his rank.
Following the completion of his enlistment (August 2007), Josh's plan was to attend college. But his enlistment was extended for an additional year and he found himself stationed once again in the rugged, bitter cold mountains of Afghanistan.
In September 2007, Joshua told his mother in a brief phone conversation that he wanted a Bible with more opaque pages so it would be easier to read at night with a flashlight, and shared how he was growing in his relationship with God. Attacks in the area his battalion was patrolling continued to increase and became more frequent and severe. Despite a gunshot wound through his calf, Joshua refused to leave Afghanistan, deciding to remain and do rehab. On October 26, 2007 - the worst day of our lives - Joshua's parents, Janice and Michael, received notification that Joshua had been killed in action. When his personal belongings reached home, his obviously used Bible had dirt in the binding and a family photo intact.
Joshua's memorial was one of honor and celebration. The family was overwhelmed by the love and appreciation expressed by so many - state and federal officials, enlisted soldiers, and people of all ages who lined the streets waving flags as his motorcade passed. A memorial fund was established in his honor, part to be used for a religious memorial. What we felt would best memorialize Joshua's faith and life - one of valiance, honor, love, significance and heroism - was a stepping stone in the Crystal Cathedral's beautiful "Walk of Faith." The Scripture verse we chose to inscribe on his stepping stone so appropriately reflects Joshua's heroic heart: "Greater love has no man than this. That he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).
