Nicholas Brown stood on the steps of his former school with a white balloon held above his head. He had come to say goodbye to his fallen brother. When the time came to release the balloon during the ceremony held in mid-April 2003, the 20-year-old didn't say a word.
"I wanted to say something, but so many things went into my head I went blank," said Nicholas, who instead simply let the balloon sail into the air. That balloon was the first of hundreds released into a cloudless sky to conclude a ceremony at Bailey Magnet High School in Jackson, Miss. The ceremony was held to honor Spec. Larry K. Brown , who was killed April 5, 2003, from hostile fire in Iraq. Brown , 22, was assigned to Company C, 1st Bn., 41st Infantry.
Displayed on the front steps of the high school were two large photographs of Brown , one showed him wearing his Army fatigues and the other in his graduation gown. He had been a multi-sport athlete, taking part in basketball, baseball and track.
Hundreds of students and local officials gathered to remember the type of student that Principal Dorothy Terry called the school's "backbone."
He was a funny guy when he wanted to be, but for the most part he was a real serious young man,'' Terry said. A Larry Brown Citizenship Award has been set up in Jackson, Miss., to honor his memory.
