Tamarac Sailor Dies From Injuries Sustained In Blast
TAMARAC (CBSMiami) – The family of a South Florida Naval officer is mourning their loss.
Thirty three year old Master of Arms 2nd Class Michael J. Brodsky died from wounds he received July 7th in a blast from a "dismounted improvised explosive device," according to the Department of Defense.
Brodsky was flown to Landsthul, Germany where his mother and father were able to see him before he died.
Brodsky, a U.S. Navy Military Dog Handler, was doing a tour of duty in the Kandahar Province of Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned to Navy Region Southwest Security Detachment, San Diego.
"He loved this country and wanted to do the right thing," said Stanley Brodsky.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael J. Brodsky of Tamarac died from injuries suffered during a battle in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. Brodsky grew up in Broward County and graduated from Dillard High School in Ft. Lauderdale.
"He'd help anybody. Somebody needed something, and he was the first one to be there. That's the kind of guy he was," says Stanley Brodsky.
A canine specialist, Michael Brodsky was on patrol with his bomb sniffing dog, Jackson when his family says his unit came under fire.
When the battle started, Brodsky put his dog back in his Humvee and then encountered an improvised explosive device or IED.
He was flown to Germany according to his family, but never regained consciousness.
"The brain had swelling, the lungs had breathed in the explosives. He had all kinds of tubes and he lasted 2 and a half weeks. On Saturday he stopped breathing," said his grandfather.
CBS4 spoke through SKYPE with Michael's parents, Steven and Debra Brodsky who now live in South Carolina.
"Michael is my hero," said his father Steven Brodsky.
Steven Brodsky explained that Michael always wanted to join the military but his fate was sealed on the day the twin towers collapsed.
"When the attack on 9-11 happened he went straight down to sign up and he said I gotta go, I have to defend this country," said his father.
His mom says she spoke almost daily with Michael. and of course she worried.
"If he thought it would upset me while we were talking, I was asked to leave the room, but he'd call me to say he's going to be okay," said Debra Brodsky.
"Michael made friends very easy. We've been told more than once Michael has a contagious smile," said Debra.
"Anybody who never met Michael it was a deep loss to them because he was an awesome person," said Debra.
"Don't take your freedom for granted someone is defending us. Someone is out there defending us while we sleep in the comfort of our homes," said Steven Brodsky.
A memorial service is planned in San Diego where Michael Brodsky was assigned to the Navy Region Southwest Security Detachment.
His grandfather says a part of Michael will always be in South Florida.
"I'm taking some of his ashes and I'll lay them next to his grandmother my wife, at Star of David Cemetery," said Stanley Brodsky.
On a Facebook page set up in his memory by his friend Nicole Arbelo, there's a moving video tribute to Brodsky composed of photos from friends.
"We will never ever forget your sacrifice hero. Your memory, you legacy lives on!" reads one of the captions.
Heather Taveras, who attended middle and high school with Michael Brodsky, posted this on his Facebook page today.
Michael, I find myself stopping throughout the day and saying your name, hoping you will answer. Even though most of my days are full of tears over losing you, when I am given the chance to laugh or smile you are the first thing I think of. I wonder if you are there telling me to "SMILE!" LLL..Live...Laugh...Love XOXOXO
Taveras also created an online slideshow to honor her friend.
According to postings on the page, Brodsky was awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery on July 16th.
