‘He was quiet and respectful . . .’
OHS teachers recall fallen paratrooper with fondness
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 11:20 AM PDT
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| A message on the reader board at Ontario High School pays tribute to Sgt. Joshua Brennan, an OHS graduate, who was killed in action in Afghanistan last week. Faculty members who had Brennan in class remember him as a responsible and respectful young man. |
ONTARIO — Teachers and coaches Tuesday at Ontario High School shared memories of a former student and U.S. Army paratrooper who was killed in action in Afghanistan last week.
Sgt. Joshua Brennan, 22, Ontario, died Friday in Asadabad, Afghanistan from wounds he suffered in a Taliban ambush in the Korengal Valley during Operation Rock Avalanche.
Brennan was assigned to B Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team.
Brennan is the son of Janice Gates, Ontario, and Michael Brennan, McFarland, Wis.
OHS instructor Dave Parsons recalled coaching Brennan in football and also had the paratrooper in physical education and health classes.
“He was always where he was supposed to be, always on time, always doing what he was supposed to be doing,” Parsons said.
Parsons said Brennan was an outstanding young man.
“He was the kind of kid you wanted in your class,” Parsons said. “He was quiet and respectful and hardworking. He was a great kid. I was thankful when (Brennan) decided to go serve his country. We need people like that.”
Social studies teacher Chad Hartley remembered Brennan as a productive student.
“Josh was a hard worker as a student and an athlete,” Hartley said.
Hartley also coached Brennan in football.
“He was extremely resilient, and he never quit,” Hartley said.
And, Hartley said, Brennan set a standard.
“Josh was always a great example. I never heard him say anything that was not positive, in class or on the football field. I appreciated knowing him and his example,” Hartley said.
Teacher Mark Stringer, who said Brennan was in his government class, said he had never heard a negative comment about Brennan from anyone and that he was always polite.
OHS Principal Bret Uptmor said Brennan was in his auto mechanics class as a freshman and echoed the remarks by the other teachers.
“He was great to work with. He was always one of the kids you appreciated having in your halls.
“He was a good role model,” Uptmor said.
One of the things, Uptmor said he liked about Brennan was that he always came back with a clear answer when a question was delivered, and when other students saw that they were inclined to do the same.
“He will be sorely missed,” Uptmor said.
