Honoree: Brian L. Guerrero

Sergeant Brian Leon Guerrero, 34, of Hagatna, Guam, was assigned to 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment, Guam Army National Guard, Barrigada, Guam. He died July 10, 2008, when the vehicle he was in was struck by an improvised explosive device.

SGT Guerrero comes from a military family, and deployed a total of three times, twice to Africa and ultimately to Afghanistan. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart for his selfless sacrifice for his country.

A funny man, SGT Guerrero loved to go fishing and barbecue, and simply have good, relaxing fun with his friends and family. In between deployments, he married his wife, Emely. It was the second marriage for both. She had two children, he had three. His youngest son was born about month following his death.

He is remembered by the older children as the greatest father, who “showed me that I can be my own person and find my voice, to not be afraid to stand up for yourself, to fight for your right and be strong.”