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In Memoriam

Major David L. Brodeur

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Major David L. Brodeur

27 April 2011

Air Force Major David L. Brodeur, formerly of Auburn, MA, died April 27, 2011 at Kabul Airport, in Kabul, Afghanistan, one of eight US military personnel killed in the much publicized Kabul shooting by an Afghan Air Force pilot. He was on deployment to Afghanistan from Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, Alaska. Major Brodeur had been assigned as an advisor to the Afghan Command and Control Center under the NATO Air Training Command.

Prior to deployment, he served as Executive Officer, Eleventh Air Force, Joint Base Elmendorf -Richardson, Alaska.

Major Brodeur was born on December 10, 1976 in Worcester and grew up in Auburn. He is survived by his wife, Susan (Williams) Brodeur and his children: Elizabeth 7, and David, Jr. 4. He is also survived by his parents, Lawrence A. and Joyce A. (Samaha) Brodeur, long-time Auburn residents who currently reside in Sutton; a brother, Todd E. Brodeur and his wife Jo-Ellen of Shrewsbury, MA and his sister, Amanda G. Brodeur. Major Brodeur also leaves behind a large extended family including his grandmother, Constance C. Brodeur, and many aunts, uncles, nephews, and cousins.

Major Brodeur was educated in the Auburn public schools graduating with honors from Auburn High in 1994. While in high school he played soccer and was an accomplished track and field athlete who won Southern Worcester County League and District Class B individual championships. He served as Treasurer and President of the Student Council and was a member of the National Honor Society; represented Auburn High at the Annual Student Government Day Program sponsored by the Massachusetts State Legislature and received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for his service to Auburn High and the Town of Auburn.

After a year of prep school at Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, PA he entered the United States Military Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado graduating in 1999 with a degree in Political Science. Major Brodeur earned a Master of Business Administration and Management from Touro University and had completed Air Command Staff College. Major Brodeur graduated from pilot training at Columbus AFB in Columbus, Mississippi in April 2001, and F-16 Fighter training from Luke AFB in Arizona. Major Brodeur was an experienced F-16 pilot with deployments to Iraq where he flew combat missions during the initial days and months of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Among his commendations and awards are the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, and Combat Action Medal.

Major Brodeur was an F-16 instructor, Flight Commander, and Weapons ADO for the 18th Aggressor Squadron. He was a Senior Pilot with more than 1600 flight hours in fighter aircraft. He had a fascination with aviation as a child which turned into the goal of becoming a fighter pilot and led eventually to his career as an aviator and Air Force officer.

Despite David's passion for flying and pride for his country, his greatest love in life was his family. He was a devoted husband to his wife of 11 years and proud father of Elizabeth and David. He was a loving son and brother who placed the needs of others and service to God and country before self.

Though tragic to have lost him so young, it is comforting to know that his kind, humorous, and courageous spirit, with which he touched so many, will live on through his children.

His all-too-short life was a life well lived.



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