Brian Hopper lived his life with an energy, sense of adventure, and courage that we can all admire. These were the qualities he displayed throughout his childhood, playing and hunting in the woods around his home in Northeast Arkansas. They were also the qualities that ultimately drew him to military service, bravely defending freedom in a land he had never known.   Lance Cpl. Hopper grew up just outside of the small Arkansas town of Wynne. Like other boys his age, he enjoyed growing up in the countryside; spending his time in the woods and trails near his home. Much of this time was spent with his hunting buddy, his father Rob, who taught him how to shoot when he was six. Together, they could often be found fishing or looking for deer, squirrels, and rabbits. 

At Wynne High School, Lance Cpl. Hopper was a member of the drama club and the school's broadcast journalism class, where he helped with the daily news program. He graduated in the Spring of 2002, and it was clear to friends and family that his next step would be enlistment in the United States Marine Corps. Although he was turned down by Marine Corps recruiters in Arkansas because of recent reconstructive knee surgery, this resilient young man would not be detoured. Instead, he made the trip to neighboring Mississippi and met with a new set of recruiters. He never mentioned his knee surgery and was allowed to enlist in September of 2002. He would go on to attend the School of Infantry in January of 2003, where he trained to become a rifleman. Lance Cpl. Hopper made a brief trip home during Christmas of 2003, following the completion of boot camp. It was quickly apparent to his family that he not only matured physically, but he also spoke and acted differently.

The young man they had watched grow up over the years was now truly a Marine, and his father couldn't have been more proud. As a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Lance Cpl. Hooper was deployed to the war-torn nation last summer and quickly earned the reputation of a tough, loyal soldier who repeatedly rose above the call of duty. During military operations in Fallujah, he earned his first Purple Heart after taking on incoming fire. The flak jacket he was wearing saved him from serious injury, and possibly death. Soon after, he earned yet another Purple Heart from much more severe wounds. After raiding an Iraqi home and shooting an armed insurgent, he was struck by an explosion from a fallen grenade that left shrapnel in his knee, leg, arm and face. Although his wounds were severe enough to have him airlifted to Germany, he chose to stay in Iraq with his unit. His personal safety was an afterthought to the loyalty he had for his comrades and the mission before them. Although he still carried pieces of shrapnel in him, he would carry on the fight. It was a testament to the courage and the heart of this brave Marine.

On January 26, he boarded a CH-53E helicopter on a routine mission to help guard the Syrian border for the Iraqi elections. Tragically, the helicopter crashed amid severe weather conditions in western Iraq. All 31 soldiers aboard were killed and it was destined to become the deadliest day of the war thus far for American forces. Lance Cpl. Hopper's brother, Patrick, who was also serving in Iraq as a Marine Lance Corporal, would accompany his brother's body on that final flight home from Dover Air Force Base to Memphis. Emergency vehicles would shut down every intersection between Memphis and Wynne and allow the two brothers to return home to their family.

On the day of Lance Cpl. Hopper's funeral, the state flag was flown at half-mast over the State Capitol in Little Rock. Along the 12-mile procession from the memorial service to Harris Chapel Cemetery, friends, neighbors and mourners lined the streets to show their respect and to honor this fallen Arkansas hero. Many held American flags high, many saluted, and others held their right hands over their heart. At his final resting place, Lance Cpl. Hopper was buried with full military honors. It was just a short walk from the home and the woods where he had spent his childhood, and it served as a reminder of how very far he had come in his life. The courageous and honorable way in which he lived his 21 years is a testament to the kind of person he was. When we think of Brian Hopper, we will think of this legacy, and will be reminded of how we are forever grateful to this brave young man for the sacrifice he made on behalf of freedom, and on behalf of us all. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and to all those who knew and loved him.