Sgt. Brendon C. Reiss, U.S.M.C (KIA)

Casper Marine killed in action

By MATTHEW VAN DUSEN Star-Tribune staff writer Tuesday, April 15, 2003

Early Saturday morning, Angela Reiss learned by phone from her daughter-in-law Tensley that U.S. Marine officials had identified the remains of her son, Sgt. Brendon Curtis Reiss, 23.

Capt. Thomas Sweatman and a Marine sergeant came to Angela Reiss' house in Mills early on Saturday afternoon to deliver the news in person. She recognized Sweatman's SUV, which she had noticed when the Marine visited the family 17 days ago to say Sgt. Reiss was missing in Iraq.

Angela's daughter Lindsey, also of Mills, said she wanted to believe the news of her brother's death was a hoax.

"They just said that they were really sorry," Lindsey said of the Marines.

Sweatman did not know many details of Brendon's death, though Angela said her daughter-in-law, who lives in Tennessee, had been told Reiss' personnel carrier had been struck by a rocket-propelled grenade near An Nasiriyah, Iraq, sometime between March 23 and 26. Some of Sgt. Reiss' companions, who were also previously considered missing, were identified among the dead in the vehicle.

Sweatman told the family the Marines may do a more extensive investigation later. He was not available for comment Saturday night.

After more than two anxiety-filled weeks of waiting for news, Angela said she was "at peace" with her son's death.

"He died early so he didn't see too much horror," she said from her home, as she filled vases with water for the many flowers she had received. "He's not going to have to experience the trauma of the war."

A few minutes later she looked over her daughter's shoulder at letters from Brendon, talking about how difficult Marine boot camp was.

Lindsey pulled up her pantleg to show the scar where childhood roughhousing with her brother had resulted in knee surgery.

She also remembered the time she stole some quarters from her mother and hid them in Brendon's socks, and he had gotten the blame.

Brendon was a great hunter, his mother said. He was also a great runner who held records in Hanna before moving to Casper and running on the Natrona County High School track team.

Brendon's father, Brian Reiss, who had not been able to sleep since he received the news on Friday night, was resting on Saturday, his wife, Carol Reiss, said.

"What is there to say. What a terrible tragedy," she said, "Brian is crushed."

Brian is a Vietnam Veteran who lives in Port Angeles, Wash. Since his divorce from Angela several years ago, his contact with Brendon has been sporadic.

Angela said Brendon was a loving son, brother and husband.

Donald Aultman, the grandfather of Tensley Reiss, said his granddaughter "is holding up quite well considering the pressure she's been under the last two weeks and two days."

Aultman said the burial will be at a Chattanooga, Tenn., military cemetery, though he does not yet know the date of the service. Brendon will receive full military honors.

Brendon also leaves behind a grandmother, Harriet Winchel, who lives with Angela.

In a postcard he sent Winchel while stationed in Japan in 1999, he drew an arrow pointing at the top of Mt. Fuji. Like many of his letters, the postcard showed his excitement at being a Marine, and his love of home.

"Dear Gramma," he wrote. "Sorry I forgot your b-day! Well this is where I am at. The circle is Camp Fuji. The arrow points to where we were at on the top, but the snow was not there! It was a really long walk!"