New Harmony native Brandon Cox is not your typical 23-year-old. He has done and seen more already than most of us will see in a lifetime. You see, Brandon is fighting for the freedom of the Iraqi people. This week, via email, Brandon agreed to tell us a little about himself and his mission.

Q. 1. Tell me about yourself, your age, birthdate, parents, grandparents, high school and graduation date. Are you married? Children? Fiancee?

A. I’m 23 and was born on Feb. 2, 1985. My parents are (father) Gregory Cox (step-mother) Amy Cox of New Harmony Ind., and my mother is Kathryn Krauss of Phoenix, AZ. My grandparents are Nancy Cox and the late Donald Cox of New Harmony, and Chuck Martin of Glendale, AZ. I attended New Harmony High School and graduated in 2003. I am married to Julia (Pfister) Cox and we reside in New Harmony.

2. When and why did you first become interested in the military and what thoughts went into deciding to go ahead and sign up. How long have you been in and how long to go? Do you plan to make a career of it? What is your current rank and what is your primary responsibility or responsibilities?

I first became interested in the military after high school. My Father was in the Army, and my grandfather, Chuck Martin, served in World War II in the Navy. Some thoughts that were going through my head were that I didn’t quite know what I wanted for my future, and the Army offered money for school so I figured I would give it a shot. I’ve been in going on three years in November, and I have three years left on my contract, but I plan on getting out and focusing on a different career. My current Rank is E4 which is a Specialist, my actual job in the military is a 63B which is a mechanic, but over here I’m tasked to the job of machine gunner in a three man truck crew. Some of my responsibilities are to maintain my weapon and ensure that it functions properly, but with my mechanic background I also help maintain our vehicle, while on Convoy Logistics Patrol missions, we provide security for vehicles from one point to another. My primary job on missions is to keep the convoy safe from any threat outside of our convoy.

3. What has been the most difficult part (or event) of your military career and why?

The most difficult event about my military career would have to be when I’m away from my family for long periods of time. Being here in Iraq, I’m away from everything I know and am used to.

4. What has been the most rewarding part of your career and why?

I would have to say the most rewarding part of my military career would be the respect I get from most American people and the pride I get from

serving my country.

5. What were your initial thoughts when you found out you were going to Iraq? Is it as bad as you thought it would be? What were your first impressions when you got off the plane in Iraq? What was the temperature there and what were some of the first things you saw?

I actually transferred units to come on this deployment, I knew it was a matter of time before I would get deployed, so I figured I would transfer over to the Evansville-based National Guard unit and go with some fellow Hoosiers. I also knew several people in the unit. There are times over here when I think it’s the worst ever, then the next day is not that bad. It’s pretty much what you make it. When I fist got off the plane I didn’t know what to think it was at night so the heat wasn’t too bad, but when daylight came it started to heat up. The temperature ranges from 100 to 110 but just like anything else you start to get used to the heat. I was actually amazed to see trees here. I didn’t expect that.

6. Is there any advice you would give another young person considering a career in military?

If I could give advice to another young person about making a career in the military it would be to get what you want out of it. You are only as good as you make yourself in the military.

7. Do you have any idea how much longer you (personally) will be there? What are some of the things you look most forward to about coming home?

Our tour was only supposed to be a year-long deployment so we’re projected to be home somewhere around the end of the 2008 year. I can’t wait to get home and spend time with my wife, family and friends. I