We owe a debt of gratitude to a fallen hero.

Governor Hassan Directs Flags to Half-Staff on Saturday, July 5, and Sunday, July 6, in Honor of Fallen Marine Brandon Garabrant.

Corporal Brandon John Garabrant, 19, of Greenfield died on June 20, 2014 in Helmand Providence, Afghanistan. He was killed in action and will be remembered as the hero that he is. He was born in Nashua on Nov. 11, 1994 to John Garabrant and Jessie Evans.

Brandon lived a life of giving and helping. In addition to his commitment to the United States Marine Corp, Brandon began an early ministry of service to others. As a young teenager, he joined the Peterborough Fire Explorer Post and the Peterborough Police Explorer Post. Later, he became a member of the Temple Volunteer Fire Department. He was active in the Jaffrey Bible Church, as a member of the Youth Group. He was also a missionary for a summer with CEF and volunteered at Monadnock Bible Center.

Brandon worked at Touchstone Farm in Temple and at Summer Hill Retirement in Peterborough. He was also an intern at the Department of Transportation Highway Shed in Greenfield.

He was a 2013 graduate of ConVal High School, where he was a goalie for the Boys Varsity Ice Hockey Team, and played football and lacrosse.