HAWORTH, TX, USA U.S. Army SSG, COMPANY A, 1ST BATTALION, 26TH INFANTRY, FORT HOOD, TX BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN 09/18/2008
Brandon Wade Farley, the oldest of four siblings from Haworth McCurtain County, Oklahoma, was committed to family and country. Brandon was a go-getter and a fun-loving person. Brandon enjoyed being outdoors and riding motorcycles. His brother, Corey, remembered fishing down at the creek and being outdoors, often with a slingshot or BB gun. He loved going four-wheeling and being social, but, his father fondly remembered, he did not like getting dirty.
Brandon was always interested in the military and military history. His first military stint was in the Marines, which he joined out of high school. After four years with the Marines, he was honorably discharged. He later joined the Oklahoma National Guard, then the Army.
He kept in touch with family and friends through frequent e-mails. Army Staff Sgt. Brandon W. Farley, 30, was from Grand Prairie, Texas, at the time of his death. He died September 18, 2008, in Monti, Afghanistan, serving on his third deployment during Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Last time I talked to you was in June of 2008. You wanted to surprise me and the kids with your R&R, trying for 4th of July. I was so excited and ready to see you! I was walking into class when I got the call and dropped to the floor. I felt like my heart had been ripped out. I thought it was a lie, there's no way. I remember what you told me before you left, "if I do lose my life over there, atleast it will be with me doing what I love". He was a true soldier! I'll never forget the day he pulled up in his brand new Harley edition truck, thinking he was so…