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<p><em>Brian Scott Freeman</em> embodied Duty, Honor, Country. He shared a deep dedication to doing what was right and good, a keen sense of humor, and a never-quit attitude with his family, friends, and acquaintances alike. Brian was the guy everyone wanted as a friend. Loyal, funny, charming…his personality was described by many as magnetic because he had an ability to make anyone feel instantly comfortable in his presence. His humility set him apart, and his doubters fueled his internal motivation to prove them wrong, but never in an in-your-face manner. Rather, he exuded a quiet confidence and nimbly navigated any obstacles.</p>
<p>Born in Bakersfield, CA on June 13, 1975 to Kathy Snyder and Randy Freeman, Brian took a non-traditional route to West Point. He graduated from Torrey Pines High School in San Diego, CA, where he played lacrosse and joined the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps at nearby Miramar Naval Air Station. It was during this experience that he discovered his leadership capabilities and affinity for military life. After high school, Brian was a congressional intern in Washington, DC, where he roomed with a West Point cadet who inspired him to earn an appointment to West Point. That fall, Brian began college at Washington State University and joined Army ROTC. After two years, he had his choice between a ROTC scholarship or West Point admission. Brian chose West Point and never looked back.</p>
<p>Arriving at West Point with two years of college already under his belt, Brian carried himself with maturity and a laser-sharp focus on his goals. His well-known sense of humor and creative problem-solving skills helped him out along the way. For example, his unique and successful SAMI inspection strategy was to fully open the windows until the room reached frigid temperatures and then to liberally apply Pledge for a lemony-fresh scent. Between the extreme cold and the clean aroma, no inspecting officer spent long in that room!</p>
<p>Brian took advantage of the many opportunities afforded him during his cadet years. An economics major, he participated in SCUSA every year. As a firstie, his brigade S-1 position meant frequent VIP escort duties. This often resulted in Brian’s buddies, who referred to themselves as “FOB” (or “Friends of Brian”) benefiting in some way. Some FOBs found themselves socializing with diplomats and Fortune 500 CEOs while cruising up the Hudson on the Forbes yacht, or sitting at the same table with General Colin Powell in Washington Hall as he accepted the Thayer Award in 1998. Brian knew how to be a good friend, and he took care of his friends in all instances.</p>
<p>Following USMA graduation, Brian branched Armor and set out to Fort Carson, CO via OBC in 2000. While at Fort Carson, he once again demonstrated his advanced “life skills.” While most of his classmates were living the barren apartment life with a roommate or two, Brian owned his own fully-furnished and decorated condo—complete with Williams-Sonoma dishes and a Subaru wagon outside! After his time as an Abrams platoon leader, Brian transitioned to the scout squadron, and by 2002 Brian had seized an unexpected opportunity and entered the Army’s World Class Athlete Program in skeleton and bobsled. He moved to Lake Placid, NY and finished 16th nationally after only a few months of learning skeleton. He found additional success in bobsledding, earning a bronze medal at the 2002 America’s Cup.</p>
<p>By 2004, Brian had transitioned from active duty to civilian life, married the love of his life, Charlotte, and had his first child, Gunnar. Brian quickly assimilated to the corporate world but still held fast to his high standards in both ethics and humor, succeeding as a land developer in the competitive California market. In September 2005, Brian was recalled to active duty and started preparing for reintegration as a civil affairs officer. So strong was his sense of duty that at no point did Brian question his recall, even after the birth of his second child, Ingrid, in November 2005.</p>
<p>Brian shipped out for Iraq in April 2006 and started working diligently with the local government in Karbala, Iraq—winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people. As usual, Brian observed the sometimes ironic and contradictory warzone with a critical and progressive eye, humor, and grace. More seriously and most notably, Brian worked tirelessly to better the situation on the ground, from creating a beekeeping program to adding new jobs and improving crop yields, to actively campaigning for out-of-country medical treatment for an Iraqi policeman’s son. Because of Brian’s tireless dedication to doing the right thing, the young boy, Ali, was able to obtain permission to travel to the U.S. for successful, life-saving heart surgery.</p>
<p>On January 20, 2007, the very day that Brian delivered the good news to Ali and his father about their U.S. visas, Brian and three other servicemen were kidnapped from their offices in the Karbala provincial headquarters and summarily executed by insurgents. As news filtered out about his death through both official channels and the Friends of Brian network, Brian’s real and lasting impact became quite apparent: His family received a flood of positive support from friends and classmates (old and new), his Army brothers-in-arms, his civilian colleagues, the U.S. Bobsled Team, and so many others.</p>
<p>Brian Freeman’s legacy lives on in the memories and lives of everyone he touched—his strong sense of duty and loyalty, his charm and humor, and his honorable intentions and actions. </p>
<p>Brian was laid to rest with full military honors at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.</p>
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