To my cousin Brian: you are loved and remembered on this day and always.
I am so proud of you both.
Today is both a day of celebration and a day of remembrance for LTC Finigan’s Family.
While we celebrate the promotion of one officer, we recall the ultimate sacrifice made by Bob’s nephew, 1st LT Brian McPhillips, USMC on this day three years ago on the outskirts of Baghdad.
LTC Finigan and 1LT McPhillips were both born and raised in Concord Massachusetts, in the shadow of the Minuteman statue we all know so well, which overlooks the Old North Bridge where our military ancestors stood their ground against the British in 1775. 1st LT McPhillips now rests with many of LTC Finigan’s family in the Catholic cemetery a mile from this same place.
Therefore, it is fitting that as we recognize the promotion of LTC Finigan, he has asked that I read the Posthumous Bronze Star Medal Citation awarded to his nephew, in lieu of his physical presence today.
