Posted by xxxxxxx on August 3, 2004:

TRIBUTE TO A GOOD MAN Dear family and friends of John William Brennan. We are here today to remember and cherish the life of John and Pete, Bear and Colonel, Pee Paw and Dad. These names, of which you came to call him as his friend or loved one, are symbolic of John?s life. His many names reflect the vast number of people he touched, and serve to identify what part of his life each of you came to know him. But amidst this expanse and diversity there is also unity. No matter how great the number of people he touched and how many names he responded to, there is a common bond. Everyone that has ever had the good fortune to know him, share a love and admiration for a good man. The early years of Pete?s life in Valders Wisconsin were a precursor of the life before him. When he was about five years old his leg was damaged in a car accident. The doctors told his parents it must be amputated. His father, like little Pete, was determined that he would pull through. HE DID ? so much so he eventually took that leg and became The U.S Military Academy?s first soccer team captain. Rugged determination and physical strength are a hallmark of John Brennan. Before Pete was even out of elementary school he lost his father. Pete became the "man"of the house helping his mother Tilly with 3 other sisters and a younger brother. He went to work delivering milk in the mornings and helping in his grandfather?s pea canning factory in Valders. Pete worked before and after school, and still made the effort to be a top student. He had the highest grade point average in high school?.. until his sister ?BOOTS? beat that mark a few years later. Pete never lost his sense of hard work and responsibility. Those qualities imbued in him at a young age lasted his lifetime. They propelled him to the top of his field as a military officer, serving in two wars, and availed him to live through events that might have taken a lesser man down. Looking back we can readily see how ?Duty, Honor, Country? would play such an important role in his life. John could have been a doctor; he was already in an exceptional program at Notre Dame University when he was offered his appointment to West Pont in 1944. He agonized over the decision to start again, but had only 20 minutes to reply. To be a doctor or an officer, readying himself for a life of commitment. Either path suited John because he was a man of extreme talent. Both careers fulfilled his sense of service. He obviously took the path of service to his country and left the Midwest, never to return really, as he and his family never settled in one place for more than a few years during his 28 year military career. One place he did stop was in Muskogee. He loved the Anthis family. His respect for Ernest and Elizabeth were immeasurable. He never stopped speaking of them and to this day his most cherished belongings include many letters from them. If John was to spend his final days anywhere, he was most at home in Muskogee and near Cherry Knoll. The Bear, as he was called by his military friends, says much about him. It speaks to his physical strength. It describes the look he could give with those Brennan eyes when he meant what he said without having to say much ? as he rarely did. But foremost, it was a term of respect. John was a consummate professional; his work first class, his uniforms impeccable, his speech unwavering and sure, his confidence infectious and his compassion always flowing underneath his seemingly tough exterior. Bear?s dedication to his profession and his country took him to troop commands from platoons in the Korean War to ten thousand combat engineers in Vietnam. He was an honor student - at all levels of study. Dad as four children addressed him, was not a couch potato. He would tell you he should have been home more and his children have made that a point in the rearing of their children. But his absence was never thought of as neglect. The kids know he sacrificed for the betterment of their lives. He again was in the devotion to others, acting on their behalf. As John?s family grew to the next generation, he took on the name Pee Paw. He liked the name and loved being Pee Paw to his eight grandchildren. Many, like Beth, Shelby and Trey might remember his fondness for Orange Tic-Tacs. Those Tic Tac?s were a signal he was approaching, as they jingled in his full pockets they brought him many hugs, and ?Pee Paw is here? from fun loving grandkids. Pee Paw spent the last few active years of life making as many visits as he could to family and friends. Michael has special memories of their travels together in Germany and ?Dad?s? Oktoberfest dance with Frau Herzog. Sean and his family are forever grateful ?Dad? could spend summer holidays around the barbeque with the kids in Texas. Many of you know John liked to dance. While at a gathering in Greenville Mississippi, he made himself available as a dance partner for an 85 year old country club member. She, not knowing how well he danced, told him upon the final notes ?You are such a nice young man and dance so well too?. Dad was 64. He always liked that story. I could go on with more special times in John?s life. He had so many friends and experienced so much. The group assembled here today are just a small, but very important part of all those who were dear to him. John will move from here (another move!) to West Point, New York where so much of what is John Brennan lies. His body will rest at his beloved alma mater, and his soul shall be with his God. These are two places where the particular name he uses won?t matter much. His presence in our lives is marked and forever remembered ? ?For such a nice young man?. For such a good man.

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