Salute to Service - PFC Brian Moquin
United States Army
July 15, 1986 – May 5, 2006
Represented by Trey Flowers and Elandon Roberts
United States Army Private First Class Brian Moquin of Worcester, Massachusetts was born July 15, 1986. Growing up, he was a fun loving, very active kid who always sought adventure. From playing football in school to always being on his skateboard doing crazy stunts, Brian was always on the go. He had so many friends and made new friends wherever he went. Brian had a contagious personality and a huge heart. He was smart, funny and witty. He always had a smile on his face and had a way of making others smile with one of his wisecrack jokes or goofy faces. Brian was fascinated with magic and card tricks, and loved going to rock concerts and shows. He had a passion for music and was in an alternative rock band with his high school friends.
Brian was also like an old soul who enjoyed the music of Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash and watching old movies. He wrote poetry and song lyrics daily and kept many journals of them. He was very creative, artistic and was always drawing, sketching or creating something. He even made a homemade tattoo gun and tattooed a star on his arm to cover up one of his scars from when he broke his arm snowboarding at Mt. Wachusett.
Brian loved his country, the brotherhood within the Army and freedom for which he fought. Brian was killed in action while serving with the Army's 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat team, 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan on May 5, 2006. He was 19 years old. Brian's unit was on a mission searching for Taliban and al-Qaida militants believed to be hiding in the mountains near the Pakistan border when their helicopter crashed. Brian lost his life along with 9 fellow soldiers. Due to the remote and dangerous area, their remains weren't recovered until days later.
He was a brave, courageous soldier and for his service Brian was awarded the Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, the Driver Badge, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Afghan Campaign Medal, the Combat Action Badge and the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty.
