thedrifter
02-01-06, 07:45 AM
Vidalia Marine killed
By Julie Finley
The Natchez Democrat
VIDALIA — Lance Cpl. Billy “B.J.” Brixey Jr. was just three weeks into the heart of what was likely to be his chosen career when a bomb exploded in Afghanistan.
The Vidalia native died Friday in Germany from injuries sustained Wednesday when a roadside bomb exploded near his convoy.
His parents Billy and Cassandra Brixey were notified of their son’s death Friday by military personnel.
Brixey, 21, had been stationed in Hawaii for three years with the Marines, but he shipped out to Afghanistan during the first week of January.
“He was proud to be a Marine,” his father Billy Brixey said. “He would have been out in July, but he was talking seriously about re-enlisting.”
BJ Brixey loved the work — he was a mechanic — the learning, the travel and the service to his country, his family said.
Being a Marine helped define Brixey, teachers and administrators at Vidalia High School said Monday.
“He just seemed to really have his life on track when we saw him last,” Librarian Paula Crouch said. “He was just so positive about everything and so on top of everything.”
Every time Brixey returned to Vidalia, he made a day of going to his old school and visiting with teachers, who all speak highly of him. He graduated from VHS in 2002.
“He was probably one of the best kids we had come through here,” football coach Dee Faircloth said. “He was one of my favorites. He never complained about anything.”
Brixey was one of the top PE students but didn’t try out for football until his senior year, Faircloth said. He performed well on the field as a defensive end and tackle, always giving 120 percent, Faircloth said.
On his last trip home, Brixey brought Faircloth a baseball cap from Hawaii he’d had specially made with the Vikings logo.
In Assistant Principal Jana Lincecum’s office, Brixey circled the day he would ship out to Afghanistan.
“He was just one of the sweetest kids I ever taught,” Lincecum said. “He didn’t have a mean bone in his body. His temperament was so kind. He was lovable.”
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. Brixey’s body will be transported to Vidalia from Dover, Del.
Survivors include brother James Brixey.
Ellie
Rest In Peace
By Julie Finley
The Natchez Democrat
VIDALIA — Lance Cpl. Billy “B.J.” Brixey Jr. was just three weeks into the heart of what was likely to be his chosen career when a bomb exploded in Afghanistan.
The Vidalia native died Friday in Germany from injuries sustained Wednesday when a roadside bomb exploded near his convoy.
His parents Billy and Cassandra Brixey were notified of their son’s death Friday by military personnel.
Brixey, 21, had been stationed in Hawaii for three years with the Marines, but he shipped out to Afghanistan during the first week of January.
“He was proud to be a Marine,” his father Billy Brixey said. “He would have been out in July, but he was talking seriously about re-enlisting.”
BJ Brixey loved the work — he was a mechanic — the learning, the travel and the service to his country, his family said.
Being a Marine helped define Brixey, teachers and administrators at Vidalia High School said Monday.
“He just seemed to really have his life on track when we saw him last,” Librarian Paula Crouch said. “He was just so positive about everything and so on top of everything.”
Every time Brixey returned to Vidalia, he made a day of going to his old school and visiting with teachers, who all speak highly of him. He graduated from VHS in 2002.
“He was probably one of the best kids we had come through here,” football coach Dee Faircloth said. “He was one of my favorites. He never complained about anything.”
Brixey was one of the top PE students but didn’t try out for football until his senior year, Faircloth said. He performed well on the field as a defensive end and tackle, always giving 120 percent, Faircloth said.
On his last trip home, Brixey brought Faircloth a baseball cap from Hawaii he’d had specially made with the Vikings logo.
In Assistant Principal Jana Lincecum’s office, Brixey circled the day he would ship out to Afghanistan.
“He was just one of the sweetest kids I ever taught,” Lincecum said. “He didn’t have a mean bone in his body. His temperament was so kind. He was lovable.”
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time. Brixey’s body will be transported to Vidalia from Dover, Del.
Survivors include brother James Brixey.
Ellie
Rest In Peace