BNSF News

Employee Shares Story of Favorite Veterans

2007-10-01

This summer, the Labor Relations (LR) department asked employees to submit stories of their favorite veteran as a tribute to Memorial Day. The stories flooded in and several were featured on the LR Web site.

But at the time, no one could envision how one story would continue to unfold. Royce Brown, a machinist in Alliance, Neb., wrote of not one but seven favorite veterans. He began recounting the story of his dad, Carroll Brown, who served in the Navy Reserve in Korea and Japan during the Korean War. His wife’s father also served in the Korean War. Royce himself served in the U.S. Coast Guard.

"Next are my two stepsons, Brian and Kevin Hulquist, were both in the Marine Corps; niece Janet Faggett served in the Navy aboard the USS Lincoln; and her sister Lisa Borges, who started out in the U.S. Coast Guard and then joined the Navy Reserve, is getting ready for her second tour in Kuwait this November. Lisa recently was promoted and had a rate change from Store Keeper 3rd class to Gunner's Mate 2nd Class. Each November, our local paper runs a special for veterans for the Nov. 11 issue with the name, branch of service, years served and a photo. We proudly have all seven names run in the paper."

But the story doesn’t stop there. Brown’s story moved the Labor Relations team so much that it donated a U.S. flag to him. And now that flag is getting a wider audience.

"I have a nephew who just enlisted in the U.S. Army recently, and the flag you gave me will soon be flying from the mast of the USCGC Mellon (WHEC717) for a day," says Brown. "I just received word that my request has been granted and hopefully it will fly this week. I would like to thank you for the flag."

To read more stories of favorite veterans, go to: Veterans Stories.

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