"MOOSE" SWEENEY was named for BRIAN D. SWEENEY, who paid the ultimate price in the attack on America September 11, 2001. Brian D. Sweeney, age 38, Barnstable, Massachusetts, was born on August 10, 1963. Employed by Brandes Associates, he was on September 11, 2001 aboard United Airlines Flight 175 en route to Logicon in Los Angeles for a business trip when the terrorists struck. Flight 175 struck the south tower of the World Trade Center in New York City at the helm of the hijackers. Having graduated in 1981 from David Prouty High School in Spencer, Massachusetts, Lieutenant Sweeney went on to attend Boston University on a full football scholarship, graduating in 1986 with a degree in mass communications. Proceeding to the United States Navy that same year, Lieutenant Sweeney graduated from Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS) in Pensacola, Florida at the top of his class. He then fought for his country in the Gulf War as a radar intercepting officer (RIO). After the war, he was asked to become a student at the Navy Fighter Weapons School, "Top Gun," in Miramar, California, later becoming an instructor at this prestigious school. Lieutenant Sweeney acquired the nickname "Moose," which was his call name as an aviator in the Navy. In 1995, Brian suffered a serious neck injury while in training at Top Gun. He made a difficult decision to leave the Navy under strict recommendations not to fly. Honorably discharged from the United States Navy, Lieutenant Sweeney refused to lose contact with the Navy altogether. He took various jobs as a defense contractor. Here, he was able to still work closely with the pilots and those responsible for the programs the Navy and Air Force used. Brian was truly an honorable man who fought for and cared deeply for his country. He had life experiences beyond those many of us could ever imagine. He was a friend to all he met and truly lived life to its fullest, accomplishing all he ever set out to do. His priorities, family, friends, and country, never changed, up to the last moments of his life, when he called his wife and mother to relay his final goodbyes and then we are sure died fighting for his country he loved so deeply. He was a much-loved leader and a hero. Lieutenant Sweeney is survived by his wife, Julie; his parents; siblings; and other family. Being a true animal lover, he also leaves behind Java, a Chocolate Lab; and Dakota, a 13-year-old Siberian Husky-German Shepherd Dog mix Lieutenant Sweeney rescued when Dakota was 7 months old. Our little puppy Sweeney gives this tribute a special twist. He has joined the Brian D. Sweeney family as its newest member. We hope in light of the tragedy this family has endured, the furry little "Moose" Sweeney will bring some modicum of happiness. We salute Lieutenant Sweeney, a hero, and are honored to name this young puppy in his honor and feel even more privileged to place the puppy with his family.

(Source: Mrs. Brian D. Sweeney)