MUNFORD, TN (abc24.com) – There were tears and prayers in Munford, Tennessee, home of a young marine critically injured in an explosion in Afghanistan.
26-year-old Marine Lance Corporal Christian Brown was on his second tour of duty when he was hit by a blast from an IED on Tuesday, December 13, 2011.
After the blast military officials said if Brown made it through the next 24 hours he would be flown to Germany, then on to Maryland.
But on Tuesday, tears and prayers were about all that was left in Munford.
“Lord we ask that you be with him and pray for C.B.”
That was how a prayer service began on River of Life Church in Munford on Tuesday night.
Initial reports indicated that Brown lost both legs, a hand and suffered several other severe injuries.
“I would call on my community to pray very desperately on his behalf.” said Munford Mayor Dwayne Cole.
The mayor has known “C.B.,” as Brown is called, for years. His daughter went to school and church with the Marine, and she called her father with the news.
“She broke down and lost her composure,” said Cole, “I fought back tears all day long. In fact, during this interview I am fighting back tears as well.”
It was the same at River of Life Church, Brown’s church home.
“They love C.B. dearly,” Pastor Greg Temke told abc24.com. “He was a fun loving guy. If you loved him, he loved you and they just loved him. When we found out that he had been seriously injured it about took my breath away. It brought tears to my eyes and gave me a sick spot in my stomach.”
It was more of the same at the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, where Brown’s step-mother is employed.
Sheriff Bill Oldham issued this statement that read, in part: “All of us at SCSO are praying for Lance Corporal Chris Brown and his family. We know the cost of war and the sacrifice he and others make for our freedom. We will be there for whatever the family needs.”
Munford High School is the home of the Cougars, the 2011 National Band Champions and U.S. Marine Christian Brown. During his time there he was described as a good student and a terrific all around kid.
"I think he was searching for himself,” said Mayor Cole. “I think he was looking for a cause, looking for a purpose. And I really, sincerely believe he found that when he joined the military.”
Brown’s family members declined to comment on the day of the explosion. But, as Mayor Cole stated, everyone that he talked to had a broken heart; war had come home to small-town Tennessee.
