Army Specialist Brian Lee Portwine, of Port Orange, Florida, beloved son of Fred Portwine and Peggy Portwine.
As a child, he liked to play night tag with flashlights and make toy guns out of PVC piping. He loved his grandfather’s World War II tales and participated in Roswell High School ROTC. He enlisted in the United States Army three months before his 18th birthday.
SPC Portwine was an Infantryman and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006 – 2008 and in Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010. During his first tour he was deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, his job was the patrol Haifa street. Brian would lose 8 brothers. He would receive a Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal for his valiant service.
SPC Brain Lee Portwine lost his battle with PTSD, May 27, 2011. He was 23 years old.
Since her son’s death, Peggy Portwine has been a strong advocate for better health care of our returning veterans and to include the families in their plan of care. Her grief drove her all the way to Capitol Hill to stand before the House Committee on Veteran’s Affairs. Once there, she gave the testimony of her son, SPC Brian Lee Portwine.
SPC Brian Lee Portwine’s story:
Add your loved one to the wall
AS A PROFESSIONAL POET AND SPEAKER
I HAVE BEEN WITH MANY OF OUR BRAVE WARRIORS.
AS A CHAPLAIN WE ALWAYS CAN DO MORE FOR THEM.