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Hoosiers on the Front Lines, Pt 3

Brandon in September, 1990
Brandon in September, 1990
Sam Bertling from the first Gulf War
Sam Bertling from the first Gulf War
Sgt. Brandon Wethington
Sgt. Brandon Wethington
Army Spec. Luke Frist
Army Spec. Luke Frist

By Karen Hensel
News 8 @ 11

24-Hour News 8 spent last week in Iraq, and in the middle of a war zone brought out a touching story. We flew first to Baghdad and then deeper into Iraq to Balad and Fallujah.

We had been in Balad for just a few hours in the Sunni triangle where known terrorist Al Zarqawi was killed just ten miles from where we stood. It is what locals call "Mortaritaville."

That's when we looked up and saw a familiar face to Central Indiana.

Sixteen years ago, Brandon Wethington was an eight-year-old living in Danville, far from any war zone. He was a pen pal to a soldier in the first Gulf War.

Now 23, Brandon sits with the 209th Quartermaster out of Lafayette in Iraq.

"It's a little different now because I'm a Sergeant now and in charge of a squad," he told us.

We asked him if this is where he thought he would be when he was little and used to write to the other soldier.

"It's where I wanted to be," he replied. "I still remember his name, Sam Bertling." Sam doesn't know Brandon is now in Iraq because Brandon hasn't been able to reach him.

As Brandon settles into a year-long deployment, we caught up with him on day three.

"I just want everyone back home to know everyone misses you. Dustin Maxfield, my buddy from the first time over here, and the Frist family, definitely. That's basically the reason I came over here this time, because the Iraqis killed my buddy the first time," said Brandon.

That buddy was Luke Frist of Lafayette. In 2003, Brandon was driving just outside Ramadi when the convoy he was in came under attack.

"He said, ‘Mom I was right there in it and we drove through a ball of fire,'" said Brandon's mother Barb Wethington.

Brandon watched in horror as the tanker in front of him, driven by Luke, went up in flames. The Iraqis started shooting as Brandon ran to help him. It was a crucial moment. It is why he is in Iraq today.

"I wouldn't necessarily say it's vengeance but it's more like setting it straight," he explained. "Something just doesn't feel right and I think after this one I'll fee a little bit better, more at ease."

He told us he has a personal mission in Iraq, to fight for a lost friend. "That's my whole basis for volunteering to go. I volunteered for this."

Brandon was never able to go to Luke's funeral. He was still deployed. However, he does have a new familiar face by his side, his girlfriend who is also deployed in Iraq.

News 8 traveled to Iraq with Indiana Congressman Steve Buyer, who made a real point to track down the 209th out of Lafayette, telling them "job well done."

Brandon's 17-year-old brother is joining the Army and wants to join his brother's unit.

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