The Arizona Republic
Feb. 9, 2006 05:16 PM
A young Arizona Marine who grew up with few advantages, then made a
success of a new life, gave his life for his country Monday in
Iraq.
Cpl. Brandon S. Schuck, 21, a star Safford High School athlete,
the husband of a young Safford woman, the father their
1-year-old son, died from an improvised explosive device while
conducting combat operations against enemy forces.
Schuck was assigned to the 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd
Marine Logistics Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force. He is the
62nd member of the armed forces with Arizona ties to die in
Iraq.
Schuck's widow, Megan Schuck, 19, said when three Marines came
to her door Tuesday, she knew their mission.
"They were very kind, had me sit down, talked to me so nicely,"
Megan said Thursday. "They've called twice a day, want to know
how I am."
Megan and the couple's baby, Gavin, are staying with her parents
in Safford. Shortly after Megan learned of her husband's death,
she called Safford High School Athletic Director Joe Burnside.
Brandon had come to the high school for his junior and senior
year, after attending school in the Valley.
"Brandon was a part of our family, literally a part of the
family," Burnside said. "He had a difficult home life and called
me one night shortly after he moved here. He said he had no
place to live."
So Burnside and his wife took the young man in. Then, Burnside
said, they watched a boy who'd had few opportunities make
something of himself.
"He became a fine athlete at our school," Burnside said. "He
played wide receiver and defensive back on the football team.
Started for the basketball team. Was one of the best players on
the golf team."
Burnside said that Brandon worked hard to maintain his grades,
and held summer jobs. And he was always interested in serving
his country.
"He left for basic training shortly after he graduated in 2004,"
Burnside side.
Megan said that among the many qualities she loved about Brandon
was, "the way he loved people and how people loved him. He knew
everybody and everybody knew him."
But there was more than that about Brandon, Megan said.
"He was wonderful man, kind and loving," she said. "And he
called our son his little hero."
Megan said Brandon's body will be retuned to Safford where a
funeral will be held at the end of next week.