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NEWS | June 28, 2016

Army Reserve unit honors ‘great officer…great human’ killed in Fla. shooting

By Sgt. Aaron Berogan 85th Support Command

ST. LOUIS - The Orlando shooting that recently took 49 lives continues to leave many throughout the United States mourning and remembering their loved ones.

 One of those killed at the Pulse nightclub was Army Reserve Capt. Antonio D. Brown, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 383rd Regiment, 85th Support Command, with operational control to 4th Cavalry Brigade, First Army Division East. Brown’s fellow soldiers honored him in a Fallen Soldier ceremony during the unit’s battle assembly, June 25, 2016, in St. Louis.

 More than one hundred people attended the ceremony to remember what Brown meant to them and reflect on the kind of soldier he was.

 “He was great…instead of me having to go to all the meetings, I had someone that could help me. He used to always say, ‘I got it, Top,’ and every time any issue happened, instead of me being the big bad wolf, he would always be my protector,” said retired Master Sgt. Carolyn G. Hunter Drake, 3-383, while holding back tears. “I’m going to always remember him as not only a great officer and great boss, but also a great human. He would give you the shirt off his back; that’s just the type of person he was. I’m going to miss him a lot.”

 Attending the ceremony and representing the 85th Support Command, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois, were Col. Robert S. Cooley, Deputy Commanding Officer, and Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin J. Greene, Command Sergeant Major.

 “We give our deepest sympathies to all of you and Capt. Brown’s family,” expressed Cooley.

 Cooley felt that domestic or foreign attacks should not affect who we are as a nation.

 “We as Americans cannot change our way of life due to attacks inside or outside of our borders. We cannot live in fear.”

 The ceremony concluded with roll call, the playing of taps, and soldiers approaching the Fallen Soldier battle cross and rendering salutes to pay their final respects.

 Brown’s funeral service was held on June 18, 2016 in Florida.