Our walk today was dedicated in honor of:
Marine LCPL Billy D. Brixey Jr., Age 21 of Ferriday, LA.
KIA Jan. 27, 2006 Operation Enduring Freedom
LCPL Brixey was assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
Lance Cpl. Billy D. “B.J.” Brixey Jr., of Vidalia enjoyed being in the military and believed in his country’s cause in Iraq. That cause cost the 21-year-old Brixey his life Friday after he died as a result of injuries received when the convoy he was leading in Afghanistan was hit by a roadside bomb.
“He loved being in the military and serving his country,” said Billy’s brother, James Brixey of Vidalia. James said his brother never met a stranger. “He was a good guy and well-liked,” James said. “If someone didn’t look familiar to him, he would walk up to them to meet them. He got along with everybody and everybody he met immediately liked him and kept in touch with him.” Brixey said his brother was in the passenger seat of the military vehicle leading the convoy when an explosion occurred. “That had to amputate one of his legs in the field and the other in Germany,” James said. Brixey was sent to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in the German state of Rheinland-Pfalz. He died from cardiac arrest.
He was awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
He is buried in the Rogers Cemetery in Concordia Parish, LA.
We had a great 7.86 Mile walk today. The weather was amazing. Our first stop was at the 9/11 Memorial and then we walked up 127 and took Northside Drive. We stopped to see the buffalo and then headed back to Sparta Hwy. I want to thank all who honked, waved, and saluted in helping me honor this hero. We had 180 honks. Thank you.
Marine LCPL Billy D. Brixey Jr. will not be forgotten !
