PO Brian Eddie Colletti
On July 25, 2004 my son, Brian Eddie Colletti was senselessly murdered. He was a Petty Officer for the United States Coast Guard, completing his first 6 years of service, had just re-enlisted for 6 more years, recently increased his rank, earned a much deserved bonus, and had completed qualifications to command the 47’ Lifesaving boat, at the age of 24, the youngest to accomplish this. Brian was home on leave and was murdered 2 days after coming home while out with friends. He was a victim of a senseless crime, he did not know his murderer, he was an example of wrong place, wrong time. Brian was known as a peacemaker, this is what he tried to do in the final moments of his life. He tried to bring about peace among a group of young people, one of which who had a gun and he was shot. My son died trying to stop violence-I will always be proud of him for this and comforted in knowing he could not have been expected to do anything different. Bringing about peace, caring for others and protecting others was part of his true character.
Brian was a fine young man. We were and are very proud of him. He is loved and missed by many. He loved the Coast Guard and had a very good start on his career. At the time of his death he had been stationed at Ocean City MD. He had only been with the Search & Rescue station 10 months. Prior to this he had been at Oregon Inlet, Nags Head, NC for just over 5 years. He was good at his job, he was good at caring for others, he was good at living his life and he lived it well.
If you would like to know more about Brian (or Eddie as he was referred to by his shipmates), there is a memorial website-
www.brian-eddie-colletti.memory-of.com
Please feel free to share your thoughts, light a candle, whatever...I hope you are inspired by what you read~he was an inspiration to many, including myself & his dad. He will live in our hearts forever. I know his spirit lives on in many of those whose lives he touch in his brief time on this earth.
May God bless you and always keep you in his loving grace~
Lynda M Simmons
*proud mom of PO Brian Eddie Colletti
02/08/06 Submitted by: Lynda M Simmons~mother of PO Colletti
