Published: March 02, 2009 10:29 pm      

Beckley MEPS to honor fallen Mabscott soldier

The Beckley Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) at the Glen Jean armory today will honor a local soldier who gave his all nearly four years ago for the twin causes of freedom in Iraq and security in the United States.

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Jeremy A. Brown, a Mabscott native and 1997 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, was killed in Mosul, Iraq, in July 2005 when the Humvee he was riding in rolled over. He was 26 years old. Brown was assigned to the 66th Military Intelligence Company of the 3rd Armored Cavalry.

At an event scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m., the Beckley MEPS will name its Oath of Enlistment ceremony room in Brown’s memory.

Col. Barrye L. Price is the guest speaker for the event. Price is the Army’s MEPC commander for the Eastern Sector of the United States and is headquartered in North Chicago, Ill.

Several members of Brown’s family will take part in the ceremony as well. Brown is survived by his widow, Rosemary, and son Seth, who is now 7 years old. Brown has a twin brother, Jason and a younger brother, Greg. The soldier’s mother is Teresa Brown.

Brown’s father, John Alexander Brown, died nine years ago and was a Vietnam War veteran.

The Beckley MEPS began searching last autumn for a military veteran after whom to name its ceremony room.

Officials said they were promptly overwhelmed with responses, adding that they comprised a half-inch thick folder of nominations last November.

The Beckley MEPS is one of 65 such facilities located throughout the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. They are charged with ensuring that every applicant for enlistment in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard meets the Defense Department’s aptitude, medical and moral standards.

— E-mail:

mhill@register-herald.com