A moving ceremony was held on the Damien Memorial School campus.
They honored one of their own, a young man who grew up on the Kalihi campus, learning life values that guided him until the day he died.
A lone piper marches toward a tribute fitting for an American hero as hundreds of students and faculty from Damien Memorial School looked on as an original portrait was presented to the parents of 1st Lieutenant Jonathan Brostrom who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2008.
"It’s a perfect, perfect photo of him. It’s a perfect painting. So I just, I think what the Taylors are doing all across America for our fallen heroes is just a great thing,” said his father, Retired Army Colonel David Brostrom.
Painted by artist Phil Taylor as part of the American Fallen Soldiers Project.
Colonel David Brostrom addressed the young men, still students at Damien.
"The bravery that Jonathan displayed on the battlefield July 13, 2008, those seeds were planted here at this school,” he said.
Jonathon Brostrom was a 2002 graduate where he played on the golf team.
His father was asked where he would like the ceremony to be held.
He didn’t hesitate…Damien.
"You know that is just an example for all these students here, is that they are going to face challenges in their life. And maybe use Jonathan, think about Jonathan when they have to make that decision, because Jonathan didn’t give up and he didn’t surrender,” said David Brostrom.
The original painting was given to David and Jonathan’s mother Mary Jo.
A copy was given to the school.
In our student library as a day to day inspiration for all of us,” said Bernard Ho, president of Damien Memorial School. “All of what Jon did, and how he lived his life."
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
