Mat-Su College honors local soldier who died in action

PALMER — Mat-Su College hosted its annual Veterans Day ceremony Monday, providing the opportunity to recognize the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I and remember a local soldier who died while serving his country.

MSC coordinated the event, with the help of retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Tom Spangler, which included honoring the life of Wasilla-raised, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant David Thomas Brabander.

Brabander died in Afghanistan following a vehicle accident.

“Every holiday is the first and now we’re moving into the first anniversary [of his death],” Brabander’s grandmother Rena Hite said after the ceremony.

This event went through a series of traditional military ceremonies for all active and non-active members of the armed forces and also served as a dedication to Brabander’s life and service, which ultimately cost him his life.

Friends and family contributed nostalgic anecdotes to commemorate his character, sacrifices and legacy. Spangler read these aloud during the ceremony. Wasilla High School’s JRTOC students performed the traditional POW/MIA Table ceremony that honors soldiers who have not returned from their duty.

Colony High School’s JROTC students performed the traditional Flag Folding Ceremony in Brabander’s name. After folding the flag, the CHS JROTC handed the triangularly folded flag to Hite.

After the ceremony, Hite pointed out a locally made quilt that was crafted with some fragments of Brabander’s camouflage uniform, adorned with imagery that reflected his story like the yellow rubber ducky seen behind the quilt. Hite said that unlike the Quilts of Valor that recognize living veterans, her grandson’s quilt was made for those who died, called a “Memory Quilt.”

The rubber ducky represents the ever present, soft and funny and loving side to Brabander’s confident and sometimes prideful nature. He made a request to his friends and family, asking for a permanent, yet playful reminder, he asked be marked after his death. After Brabander died, his father, Adam; uncle, Gene Bourdeau, and best friend, Jacob Hunnings, got tattoos with the classic rubber ducky on their skin.

Brabander’s family history runs deep in military service, with many of his family serving before him, serving multiple branches across the span of history. Spangler commended Brabander for taking the family mantle and taking his military career with sincerity and honor, especially at such a young age.

“David continued this strong legacy and he was an exceptional soldier, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant E-6 at the young age of 24,” Spangler said.