Memorial Day is a day we are to remember those past and present who fought for our country, some gave more than others, but they all gave something!!! Every day we take advantage of the freedom each and every soldier has fought for and on this one day, ONE day, we remember them… I think that is sad…

Everyday, I remember my fallen hero, and those whom I know, who are fighting for our freedom… I hear the  song below on the radio all the time and I LOVE it, it makes me think of Brandon every time I know he would have loved this song and the last verse is the best one, I put it in bold… I hope you all think and pray for all the soldiers who are fighting for us right now, there are a few whom I know and love putting their lives on the line and I really appreciate it! THANK YOU To all the US. armed forces I thank you today and everyday for all of my freedoms!!!

Since Brandon died 3 years ago, I have been planning on buying and flying an American flag, but we have so many rules in our community, I can’t hang one on our house so these little flags will have to do until we get a new house!!!

Chicken Fried by the Zac Brown Band

You know I like my chicken fried
Cold beer on a Friday night
A pair of jeans that fit just right
And the radio up
Well I`ve seen the sunrise
See the love in my woman`s eyes
Feel the touch of a precious child
And know a mother`s love

Well I was raised up beneath the shade of a Georgia pine
And that`s home you know
Sweet tea pecan pie and homemade wine
Where the peaches grow
And my house it`s not much to talk about
But it`s filled with love that`s grown in southern ground
And a little bit of chicken fried

And its funny how it`s the simple things in life that mean the most
Not where you live or what you drive or the price tag on your clothes
There`s no dollar sign on a piece of mind this I`ve come to know
So if you agree have a drink with me
Raise you glasses for a toast
To a little bit of chicken fried

I thank God for my life
And for the stars and stripes
May freedom forever fly, let it ring.
Salute the ones who died
The ones that give their lives so we don`t have to sacrifice
All the things we love
Like our chicken fried

I love this picture it just shows me how proud he was to be a marine and how comfortable he was in this position this picture makes me smile

Corporal Brandon Michael Hardy

March 8, 1981 – April 28, 2006

I am remembering you today and everyday, my friend and our fallen hero!!!

I miss you everyday!!! I miss the light in your eyes that brought peace and joy to others around you, your laugh, your easy going ways, how much you love to joke and how it always seemed like nothing could hold you down… I miss the fun times we had and the many fun times we should have had…

I am so sad that you never got to meet Logan or Grayson… I hope and pray that they grow up to be like you… I pray that they would be joyful and happy, brave and strong just like you!!! Thank you for being our hero…

Even in death I know that God prevailed and I look forward to the day that I arrive in heaven and see you waiting there to show me around heaven!!! Until then I will think of you and miss you everyday!!!

Brandon Hardy

March 8, 1981 – April 28, 2006

On Memorial Day we celebrate and remember those who have served our country and died protecting us- Brandon was one of those who gave his life, and today I am thanking the Lord for him and remembering him. Even though he died 2 years ago I think about him every day and know he died doing what he loved and what he knew God called him to do, I know he felt good about serving and giving his life for the country he loved. I wish he didn’t (that no one) had to give his life for us, BUT he did and I am so thankful that he was willing to give the ultimate gift to keep me and my children free and safe.  I know he served his county well, and I am so proud to call him my friend and hero…

THANK YOU Brandon and all of the other soldiers out there who have given their lives to keep America Free!!!  We are celebrating ALL of you today!

Brandons mom wrote the poem above I hope you can read it- I thought I would share it with you all- please pray for all of our soldiers they fight for all of us and our children and our grandchildren…

Then on the right, look for the video called “Parents recall a fallen son”.

Calvary Monument Church
Viewing service from 6pm – 9pm, Thursday May 4th
Funeral service Friday 10am with viewing before the service starting at 9am

Arrangements are being taken care of by Wilde Funeral Home
610-857-5551.

(written by Chris)

I am at a loss for words.

I don’t know where to start. April’s good friend Brandon was killed in Iraq last week. We don’t know much, and I didn’t know him too well. but I feel compelled to put my thoughts down on, well, “paper”. This will not be a rant for the war in Iraq, which, after this, i feel even stronger that is the right thing to be doing. . . No that is not going to be one of my points. Out of respect for the fallen, I will refrain from such petty things as that.

I didn’t know him very well, yet my heart still aches. I am not even sure why. I think it is mostly for his family. The hardy’s have lost their first born, a huge light in their lives, a hole is there now, where he was, that will never be filled. I think this is so real to me because of the exisitence of my first born, my son and what it would mean for me to lose him.

I think it is also because he truly was a peer of mine. And I respected him so deeply for his service to our country, something, truth be told, most of us are to chicken shit to do. We are too hypnotized to mind numbness by our affluence and media to get up of our couches and actually make a difference in our world, either locally, or by picking up a gun, and defending the free world from evil forces that truly exist. Brandon put his life on the line, he gave the ultimate sacrifice, something very few of us are willing to do. For that, my friend, i am forever indebted to you.

First reactions

When i first heard that Brandon was dead, my first reaction was “Sign me up, i want to find those fucking bastards responsible for his death and I want to. . . ” I will stop there. I am still very angry, but it is more turning to sorrow for what was lost, for what his family and loved ones have lost. I can’t even read April’s posting b/c it makes me too upset.
And, honestly, this is different for me. i have had three Grandparents die, and one grandparent in law and I didn’t cry. I am usually very stoic. This is definatly a different situation, but I also think it has a lot to do with being a father. It truly changes your life.

The importance of Family

Which brings me to my next thought. . . How important is family? And by family, I don’t mean just by law or blood, I mean, those who we love and would truly do anything for. In this day and age, for many reasons, we seem to forget how important and needed those relationships are, especially when those relationships get strained for whatever reason.
All to often, we allow stupid and petty occurances to get in the way. We take personal and “deep” offense to things that really are not that important, and even when we seek the truth, we actually see situations the wrong way. When if we could step back, put our sick, self-centeredness, the “me, me, me” attitudes aside, we would see people who truly love us, and want the best of us.
This doesn’t mean that we always agree, but it should be we ALWAYS, find a way to reconcile and come back together, push through those differences because we know what is truly important in light of our finite lives, here on earth.

This all makes me look at the family I have and make damn sure they are priority to me – above work, above my personal/career ambitions, above any wrongs they may have done to me – to do whatever it takes to love them and spend enough time with them. Especially my wife and son. Life is so fleeting. I truly felt that when Logan was first born, sand slipping through my hands and every single moment should be drunk in and savored. I only hope that I can continue to see this, and make my life fall in line with this, especially as Logan and any other children we have, grow up.

The last point. . .

Brandon may be dead in this life, but I KNOW I will see him after death. How is that some may ask? Because he was a believer in the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross. His sins, his short falling of God’s perfection were covered in the Blood of Christ, the Messiah, God’s blood. I can only imagine what Brandon is now experiencing. It scares me, but comforts me at the same time, to think that I too, one day will be in the same place he is now, in the presence of the Creator God who loved him enough to die an excruciating death, despite Brandon’s short comings.
Some may see this as a “coping” mechanism, but rest assured, if you actually, honestly researched and looked into who Jesus Christ actually is, you will come to the same conclusion many have, that Christ actually is real and is alive, and that you can put your faith, your eternity in His hands.

I hope this wasn’t too “heavy” but i needed to get these things out. I hope you can take something away from this and that you can take one or several steps forward in your journey through this life, steps that make your life more inline with the truths of life that make it so worth living.

Brandon, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I, nor April will ever forget you. I also want you to know I will tell Logan who he shares a birthday with and what sacrifice that person made.

I will see you in heaven, brother.

I (april) got bad news yesterday, my best guy friend from High School was killed in Iraq! I know that so many lives have been effected by this war, it just hits home when some one you know is the one lost.

I thought I would write something short (well it may not be that short) about my friend!

Things I remember:
I remember…
…the first time we met, 9th grade picture day, you had befriended a friend of mine, how sweet of you, he didn’t have many friends…
… going to a concert at the hershey stadium
… getting you out of so many groundings (good thing your mom liked me)
… dating siblings for a whole year
… working at Dutchman’s – the many many breaks we had together
… going to the 10th grade dance together
… having 5th period gym together- boy was that the best gym class
… you getting your license before me even though I was a whole year older
… you giving me so many rides home from school (one time you dropped me off and I cut my finger on your car door, I still have a scar)
… the many, many dances proms and other fun activities we attended together, maybe not as a date, but we were both there
… graduation day!
… you going into the Air Force and coming back buff!
… you calling me from Paris on new years eve – 2000, that was so cool because I was watching the fireworks on TV and you were there in person!
… you not being able to come to my wedding, but calling your dad and I got to talk to you on his cell phone (I have a picture to prove it)
… you coming to dinner with Chris and I the few times you were home
… borrowing your cow boy hat for halloween one year
… seeing you last year at our siblings graduation
… meeting your fiance this December – she was very nice I approve
… meeting you for dinner all the times you were home on leave
… your truck (all of them)
… and last but not least your favorite saying… Cowboy Up! I will never hear that again without thinking about you

Brandon, I am sorry I didn’t get to see you when you were home last- I guess you never know when you may not see someone again… You will be in my heart forever. Thank you for all the wonderful memories we have together, I promise not to forget! we love you!
Much love! April