Brandon Garabrant

Peterborough, New Hampshire

June 20, 2014

 Killed while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan..

Brandon Garabrant, Marine who tried to wear uniform to HS graduation, killed in action
Published June 21, 2014
A Marine whose request to wear his uniform at his high school graduation last year was refused by school officials has been killed in Afghanistan, according to published reports.

Brandon Garabrant, 19, was one of three Marines killed by a roadside bomb this week, MyFoxBoston.com reported.

Garabrant gained fame last year when he asked to wear his dress blues to his graduation from ConVal Regional High School. But the school's principal, citing regulation, told him he had to wear the traditional cap and gown.

His family was notified of his death on Friday, WMUR.com reported.

On Friday, ConVal Regional High School principal Brian Pickering said the school community was "shocked and deeply saddened" to hear of his passing.

"We are incredibly grateful for his service to our country,” he said.

Members of the Temple Volunteer Fire Department, where Garabrant was a member, gathered Friday to lower the flag outside the station to half-staff and say a prayer, WMUR.com reported.

“He absolutely loved doing what he was doing,” said Temple Volunteer Fire Department Chief George Clark told the outlet. “He knew the sacrifice and he was still willing to do it and it was a total shock to hear the news.”

Petersborough Police Chief Scott Guinard told WMUR.com that Garabrant was a close friend with his son, who was a similar age and also interested in becoming a Marine.

"The three best words to describe him: A young gentleman," Guinard said. "He was a young gentleman who I am extremely proud of and who will be sorely missed by all."

"The entire State of New Hampshire is devastated by the tragic loss of Lance Corporal Brandon Garabrant, who was bravely serving his nation in Afghanistan," New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan said in a statement on her Facebook page. “As a volunteer firefighter and dedicated Marine, Lance Corporal Garabrant was committed to serving his fellow citizens, and he was tragically taken from us far too soon. It is our responsibility as Granite Staters and Americans to come together to support his family and his community."

Marine from NH killed by roadside bomb in Afghanistan
Brandon Garabrant was a 2013 graduate of ConVal High School
UPDATED 12:31 AM EDT Jun 22, 2014

TEMPLE, N.H. —A Marine from New Hampshire was killed Friday morning in Afghanistan.
Lance Cpl. Brandon Garabrant, a 2013 graduate of ConVal High School, was killed in the southern part of the country by a roadside bomb, according to The Associated Press. Two other American troops and a military dog were also killed. They were assigned to a NATO security force. 

Before becoming a Marine, Garabrant was a volunteer member of the Temple Fire Department, a police Explorer with the Peterborough Police Department and worked at Touchstone Farm in Temple.

On Friday evening, members of the Temple Volunteer Fire Department gathered to remember Garabrant. They lowered the flag outside the station to half-staff and said a prayer. 

“He absolutely loved doing what he was doing,” said Temple Volunteer Fire Department Chief George Clark. “He knew the sacrifice and he was still willing to do it and it was a total shock to hear the news.”

Clark had a special bond with Garabrant. He also served in the Marines, and said Garabrant had a drive to serve his country and his community.

“Whenever he came home on leave, the first thing he did, contacting me, ‘Chief, I need a pager so I can help you out,’” Clark said.

“I was looking forward to the day he’d be back fulltime,” said Temple Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief Matt Bruneau. “Unfortunately, he made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms and the privileges that we have.”

In Peterborough, Police Chief Scott Guinard said Garabrant and his son frequently talked about the Marine Corps. They were similar ages and both interested in becoming a Marine. 

"The three best words to describe him: A young gentleman," Guinard said. "He was a young gentleman who I am extremely proud of and who will be sorely missed by all."

ConVal principal Brian Pickering said the entire school community was shocked and saddened by his death.

"On behalf of the entire ConVal community I extend my deepest sympathy to Brandon's family and friends," Pickering said. "We are all shocked and deeply saddened by his passing and we are incredibly grateful for his service to our country.”

The Marines notified Garabrant's family Friday.

In a statement, Gov. Maggie Hassan said the state was devastated by Garabrant's death. 

“As a volunteer firefighter and dedicated Marine, Lance Corporal Garabrant was committed to serving his fellow citizens, and he was tragically taken from us far too soon," she said. "It is our responsibility as Granite Staters and Americans to come together to support his family and his community."

Members of the congressional delegation also said the state would honor Garabrant. 

"Our hearts are broken by the loss of Lance Corporal Brandon Garabrant, a true American hero who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country that he loved," Sen. Kelly Ayotte said. 

"Lance Corporal Brandon Garabrant was a hero in every sense of the word. He valiantly served our country and epitomized the bravery and sacrifice of every member of our armed forces for which we will be forever grateful," Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said.