[Editor’s note: SFC Jeffrey Brundage, of Honesdale is currently stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. We talked with him via phone in Texas, after meeting his mom at The Traveling Wall in Bingham Park. War has claimed the lives of four of his friends. They will never be forgotten. Each one holds a special place in his heart. They are: CPT. Erick M. Foster, SSG Christopher S. Kiernan, SGT Richard A. Vaughn, and SGT Michael Barrera.]
SGT Michael Barrera
During Operation Iraq Freedom 1, in the initial invasion I lost a friend from a deeply buried improvised explosive device (IED). Mike was killed on October 28, 2008, when the IED went off under his tank.  Mike and I were in the same platoon, up until we deployed, where I then was assigned to another job within the battalion. 
You asked me what I wanted people to know about these great soldiers and friends. I want people to understand that these heroes volunteered to protect and serve the people of this country. Just because the men and women who do this for a living serve, go to war, doesn’t mean we are war mongers; we aren’t and we are not always in agreement with the war. We don’t always understand why we fight. We are not politicians, just simple people willing to sacrifice family, friends, and a normal life style to provide the security everyone enjoys, just like the great veterans before us.
We don’t make good money; we do it for the pride. You don’t hear of the great deeds we do, just the death and destruction reported on TV. You never hear about the hospitals we fix, the schools we provide supplies to, the local business people we provide help to in order to improve the Iraqi life style. Over my 19 years of active Army service, I have heard numerous leaders say “Guns and Bullets don’t win a war alone. Getting the people understand that we are not killers is the key.”  And if we have to do that by going into a home, sitting down for countless hours drinking tea and that works, then great! I did that for a year and it works. We made the second strongest insurgent stronghold in Baghdad, a place of peace, allowing people from other areas in the country to move in because they heard the Americans drove out the terrorists. We did, but only with the help of the local Iraqis. In closing I would like to say, “If you have not prayed for a soldier, you should, he or she may give their life for you tomorrow!”
I would like to publicly thank my parents: Father- Larry Brundage (died March 11, 2009);  My mothers- Donna Brundage and Sue Lewis; my siblings: Dr. Michael Brundage, Amanda O’Rourke and Amy Utegg. A thank you to all the family and friends who have made me who I am and have given me the best gift of all, knowing your sons you have lost. Finally to my wife, Kristen for being my mental support and your love.  I have always said the people of Wayne County are the most patriotic people I have ever met! THANK YOU!
Sergeant First Class Jeffrey Brundage
Honesdale, Pa
Class of 1990