Courtesy Brazas family.
Courtesy Brazas family.
Courtesy Brazas family.
Courtesy Brazas family.
Courtesy Brazas family.
Courtesy Brazas family.
Greensboro, NC -- The family of Petty Officer Second Class Sean Brazas, remembers him as a son, a brother, a husband and a hero.
Last week, Brazas died in combat in Afghanistan, helping a comrade into a helicopter.
"He was the last man over the wall because he wanted to cover everybody else and make sure they got out safe," said his father, Ed Brazas.
Brazas was a K-9 handler in the U.S. Navy. He was assigned to Naval Base Kitsap Security Detachment in Bremerton, Washington.
This weekend, Brazas' family welcomed him home.
It wasn't the way they wanted to, or ever thought they would, but they knew Brazas died doing what he loved.
"He became the man we had hoped him to be, and he wanted to be," said Pat Brazas, Sean's mother.
"He's made a tough standard for me to follow. Because now, I've got to be half the man my son was," said Ed Brazas.
Brazas had been in Afghanistan for less than 30 days. He left just after his 26th birthday.
"I just remember looking at him and I'm like, he's really got this figured out, life. He just knows what he wants and goes for it," said Brazas' sister, Kelly Nance.
Nance is three years older than Brazas. She said her brother wouldn't want her to cry. He'd want her to smile and celebrate his life.
Brazas volunteered for the mission in Afghanistan.
He leaves behind a wife and 13-month-old daughter, who live in Washington.
"He got to be married and have a family, just not long enough," said Ed Brazas.
Brazas, who is a Greensboro native, was a graduate of Western Guilford High School.
"Just say hello and thank you for your support to any soldier because his life is on the line," said Pat Brazas.
Brazas will be buried at Arlington Cemetery on June 19 at 1pm.
His family is also planning a memorial service for him in Greensboro.
WFMY News 2