West Fallowfield — Fallen U.S. Marine Brandon Hardy was recognized, Friday, with the designation of Route 41 (Gap-Newport Pike) as the Corporal Brandon Hardy Memorial Highway.
A ceremony took place in the auditorium at Octorara High School, with Superintendent Steven Leever noting that Hardy was celebrated, commemorated and memorialized.
“On a day like this we think about the people who came before us,” Leever said.
As part of the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, Hardy tragically lost his life on April 28, 2006, when an improvised explosive device in Iraq killed him and two other passengers on a Humvee. Hardy was 25 when he was killed.
His mother Jill said that since the age of ten her oldest son wanted to serve in the military. He enlisted first in the U.S. Air Force of five years and then took a loss of pay and rank to join the U.S. Marine Corps.
Hardy, his parents and three siblings all graduated from Octorara High School and lived in Cochranville.
Jill Hardy talked about her son to hundreds of students officials and community members who attended the ceremony. There were tears in the eyes of many speakers and of those assembled.
“We are honored to have a stretch of highway that Brandon traveled every day now bear his name,” Jill Hardy said.
Brandon’s mother talked about the day she heard the news.
“Eighteen years ago this last Friday in April was just like today — the sun was shining, the birds were singing, it was a beautiful spring day.
“Until it wasn’t—in an instant our lives changed forever! The day lost its beauty and our hearts were shattered.”
Mother and father talked about their son. Jill Hardy said that Brandon loved people, was passionate to serve and never wavered from that decision.
“He was very proud to serve this country,” she said. “And we supported him.”
Mom talked about how her son proposed to his girlfriend at a Trace Adkins concert, but the couple never had a chance to wed.
Father Warren said that his son especially enjoyed activities with his close knit family, including hunting and fishing.
“He was a wonderful young man,” he said. “It’s great that the community still knows his name.”
Hardy was deployed to the Middle East three times during his five years in the Air Force. He graduated from high school on June 11, 1999, on the same stage where Friday’s ceremony took place, and left for Air Force boot camp in San Antonio on July 6.
He spent two years at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany and then three years at Spokane Air Force Base in Washington.
“He then decided he wanted to be a part of the rigor, dedication and brotherhood of the Marine Corps,” Jill Hardy said. “He wanted to be on the ground making a difference.”
“A fear of mine is that people will forget Brandon, not the awesome son that I knew he was but what the stood for and what he died for.
“We are honored that his name will be seen every day by those who travel Route 41.”
State Sen. Carolyn Comitta was instrumental in facilitating the road renaming.
Originally, Rich Miller contacted the Hardy Family about starting the process of renaming a bridge or road after her son.
“Rich persevered with the paper work and some hounding of officials, but the process was not a fast moving one,” Jill Hardy said. She then said that she talked to Comitta and her staff and the senator took over the process and “quickly made it happen.”
Comitta noted that she taught in the school district prior to becoming an elected official.
“Corporal Brandon Hardy grew up here, went to high school here, and was at home here,” Comitta said. “It’s wonderful that the entire community remembers him and it’s fitting this road now bears his name.
“ I hope that when drivers see the signs, they remember not only Corporal Hardy but all those who answer the call of duty and the sacrifices they and their families make for all of us.”
Parkesburg Borough Councilwoman Rhett Lipscomb also attended the ceremony.
“Thanks to anybody in a uniform for keeping us safe in this country,” she said.
The Presentation of the Colors was made by the Corporal Brandon/Hardy Chester County Detachment Marine Corps League #286. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Corporal Hardy’s nieces and nephews. The Octorara High School Band and Choir performed the National Anthem and closing.
