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DEL.ICIO.USJacques Brunson: Leaving kids ‘pained him’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sylvester â€â€? Before his 30th birthday last month, Spc. Jacques “Gus” Brunson asked his family not to send him any presents in Iraq.
Spc. Jacques Brunson
Instead, he requested coloring books, crayons, pencils, sunglasses and toys for the Iraqi children he would see while on combat patrols. “He was caring and he would do anything for you,” said Jennifer Hunt, 24, Brunson’s youngest sister.
Brunson, 30, was one of the four members of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48th Brigade Combat Team killed Sunday by a roadside bomb in Iraq.
As family members and friends of Brunson gathered Wednesday in this southwest Georgia community, they recalled an easygoing youngster with a reputation as a dependable friend and a devoted father to his own two children, Kayla, 9, and Jake, 8.
“He was a great dad,” said Hunt. “When it came to Jake and Kayla, that was his life. There was not one thing he would not do for them.” Brunson’s mother, Cathy, the deputy tax commissioner for Worth County, is still recuperating from a recent thyroid operation, her family and friends said, and is having difficulty dealing with the devastating news.
Friends said Brunson gave up a job as a guard at the Sumter County Correctional Institute two years ago in hopes of finding better-paying work. He joined the National Guard about that time.
But his plans did not work out as he had hoped, said Josh Reynolds, a close friend. Brunson worked at a number of low-paying jobs over the last two years. His last job before he was mobilized in January was as a meat cutter at a grocery store.
The regular paychecks of an active-duty soldier, supplemented by overseas pay and combat pay, were welcomed by Brunson.
“He put a lot of thought into it before leaving his kids,” said Reynolds, 30. “He could afford to support his kids and defend his country, too.”
“It really pained him to leave them,” Reynolds added.
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By Michele
July 28, 2005 11:17 AM | Link to this
May God grant you comfort in your time of grief.
By Heather Roberts
July 28, 2005 12:20 PM | Link to this
I met Jacques Brunson last year at the Valdosta Army. My dad over in Iraq right now was his 1st sgt. My sister and I became really close to alot of the soldiers before they had left. But we was really close to Brunson. He was really kind and hilarious. And I could tell that Brunson was a real loving person and by the way he talked about his kids, he loved them very much and that he would do anything for them. He went over seas to fight for his country so that his two kids can live in a free country. He is one of the guys that i will never for get. He is one of the heroes in my life.
By A Mother
July 28, 2005 05:46 PM | Link to this
My prayers are with you all. I pray everyday for the troops in Iraq and also their families.
By Sandra Boyd
July 28, 2005 08:16 PM | Link to this
Even though it’s been several years since I saw him last, I’ve known Gus for the past 15 or so years, he used to pick watermelons and cantalopes with my son and daughter and his brothers and sisters. They all had such fun and would come home tired but happy. Gus was easy to smile and had a good heart. He would do anything for you. My son has 2 children now of his own the same as Gus and it’s hard to believe he won’t get to grow old and enjoy them and their lives. We were all so shocked to hear of his death. We have moved away from south georgia but our best times will always be remembered with him and his family. Our prayers are with them at this sad time.
By Patty
July 28, 2005 08:55 PM | Link to this
I am always deeply saddened when I hear about the death of an American soldier in Iraq. When I read that one of the four Georgia soldiers who died last weekend was Gus Brunson, it particularly pained me as he and his younger brother, Chris, had been my students when I taught at Worth County High School. To this day I remember Gus as a kind and courteous young man. My thoughts and prayers go out to this family and his friends. It is an honor to have known a young man who sacrificed his life for his country!
By Javadga Fountain
July 29, 2005 10:44 AM | Link to this
I pray everyday for all the troops that are in Iraq, the ones that have come and gone, and I pray for there families… I also have a loved one there and I hope and pray that he makes it back safe and in one piece like he went. If there are any families that would like to share there stories with me and maybe talk about something they can email me at ATL2400@yahoo.com
By Sonya
August 5, 2005 08:03 AM | Link to this
My husband is with the 48th in Iraq. We are sorry for your loss. Our prayers are with you. May God give you strength during this time.
By A LRS BROTHER
August 7, 2005 09:14 AM | Link to this
MY RESPECTS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY OF SPC BRUNSON. I SERVED WITH BRUNSON HERE IN IRAQ, AS WELL AS IN GA. BRUNSON WAS A GOOD SOLDIER. HE WAS ALWAYS MOTIVATED AND ALWAYS HAD GOOD STORIES TO TELL ME IN THE CHOWHALL OR IN THE INTERNET CAFE. BRUNSON LOVED WHAT HE WAS DOING HERE. MAKING A DIFFERENCE HERE WAS IMPORTANT TO HIM. HE WILL BE SORELY MISSED BY HIS FELLOW SOLDIERS. MAY THE GREAT PARATROOPER IN THE SKY LOOK OVER YOU BROTHER.
SGT LOWERY
By david halpern
August 7, 2005 11:16 PM | Link to this
I knew brunson from basic in ft.leonard wood, we both were headed to dli to study russian, we spent many hours together. I can’t remember a more dependable person and a harder worker. I am very sorry for the loss of not just a top rate soldier but a very good man. my heartfelt wishes to the family. -spc halpern
By Jasmine (Gibbs) Carlson
August 10, 2005 10:44 PM | Link to this
I’ll miss you, Gus. Thank You for everything, including my first flower. Always a Cougar (C 3-10) at heart! Hooah!
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