Police Officer III Brian Ernest Fenimore Brown

My Dearest Brian,

Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you. I remember when you were born…when your mom, Emily, and I would find you sitting under the kitchen sink in the cabinet eating Gregory’s dog biscuits…you LOVED them! When you were ring bearer at my wedding…how we would tell your mom we were “going to the movies” but would go to that hot dog place on Greenville Ave and stuff ourselves with hot dogs and play space invader! funny…the movie we picked (same one every time!) we never saw!!!! I finally confessed to your mom about our escapades! How I took you to that abandoned parking lot in north Dallas to teach you how to drive…and had you sit on my lap cause you couldn’t reach the pedals…I shifted the gears, pushed the pedals and you steered….until that nice police officer pulled up next to us….you froze and had the funniest look on your face… as I turned my head to see why you weren’t looking where to steer, our faces were side by side and I was just as freaked out as you! When he asked “What ARE you two doing?” I replied, “What do you think, I’m trying to teach him how to drive!” That Officer tried so hard not to bust up laughing !!!! Then he said, “ Son, just don’t hit the light poles!!!!” OMG!!!! We laughed so hard we cried!!!! I remember when you were 10 and you asked me what I had wanted to be when I grew up…. I told you
1. Medicine, 2. Model, 3. Marine,
4. Motorcycle Cop….you looked at me and said you could understand 1 and 2 but 3 and 4? I told you Marines are tuff, they “know things”. You wanted to know “what things”….you got pissed cause I wouldn’t tell you. (You called me after boot cap and said ……..Wow! I know why you wouldn’t tell me!!!!). And motorcycle cops “because they ride motorcycles, wear shades and wear cool boots!” You said, “Well, I guess I need to get to work and make your dreams come true.” You we’re so much fun!!!! I remember when you called me to tell me you enlisted as a Marine….and could I come protect you when you told your dad! (He was Army)

I remember reading about the first Marine being injured in Somalia and telling myself, “Well, I don’t have to worry about Brian, he’s still stateside.” When I found out it was you, I wanted
to come to the hospital and deck you!!!!
But that was you….Never leave a man behind…..

Bri, Last June I went to see your mom in a Patsy Cline show….it was a 2 person show and your mom was Patsy Cline. She sang 34 songs…..she is so talented! You so loved hearing her sing. She dedicated all the shows to YOU. During one song, Emily and I looked at each and knew we were both thinking of you……I do not know how she made it through that song. I’m grateful the theater was dark… I could not hold it together.

Brian, I miss you. Thank you for being in my life. For all the joy you gave me. For wearing the uniform everyday and for always being willing to go over and beyond the call of duty and what was asked of you. For your courage, kindness and always being true to yourself.

I Love You More,
Auntie Carson

No rank
Auntie Carson

November 23, 2021