Marine Corps Base Quantico -- A flag commemorating the service of Cpl. Brandon Nylund was presented to Kristina Nylund and her four children by Honor and Remember, a national commemorative organization, in the Town of Quantico, Sept. 10. The flag, stitched with the name and rank of Brandon, is a national symbol of public remembers since 2008.
Volunteers with the Honor and Remember organization, Donn and Jeanne Weaver, hosted the event to support the family of a fallen Marine. Also in attendance were Brandon’s widow Krisina Nylund and his four children, in addition to close friends Steven Barker and Jack Whitt. Donn opened the ceremony and shared memories of the Marine.
Brandon was adopted into the home of Micheal and Georgia Nylund at the age of five in the small town of Felch, Mich. Standing at six feet, the Marine Corps became his new family at the age of 20. He enlisted, traveled to Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, Calif., and began his eight years of service.
He met his wife Kristina at the Sam’s Inn Bar and Grill in the Town of Quantico on Memorial Day weekend, 2003. Later that year, Brandon picked up Kristina in his 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix and drove to secretly choose a ring. He proposed marriage in the middle of the store. Sept. 30, 2003, he married Kristina, the mother of two boys, to join a blended family.
Each child in the home was supported as Brandon’s own, even his 11-year-old daughter remembers Brandon coming home to give her hugs, those memories linger on today.
Brandon was attached to the Security Battalion aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico as a military police officer. During four years of active duty service Brandon served in support of the September 11 attacks, and deployed in support of both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. After completing four years as a reservist, the former Marine was honorably discharged Nov. 9, 2009.
He committed suicide in March 7, 2010.
According to Kristina, Brandon suffered from undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder, which many physicians often referred to as combat stress or battle fatigue.
“Today, I have so much to be grateful for. I wake up every day happy to have my four children. Knowing that I get to be here for them is special. I let them know, even without daddy we are still a family and they can count on me,” said Kristina. “My hope is that my words can create awareness. [Although suicide cannot be prevented], maybe we will lose one less veteran,”
Suicide is very difficult to explain to children, but Kristina remained honest and compassionate with her children now 6, 11, 12 and 16-years-old.
“It’s important to talk about the suicide so that Marines can get the help they need, and most importantly keep Marines from the same fate that Brandon suffered,” said Kristina who bravely speaks out about the husband who suffered from undiagnosed PTSD.
Kristina hopes to be Brandon’s voice in his absence, so people are more aware of suicide and how it affects Marines and military families.
— Writer: iirby@quanticosentryonline.com