Since 1973, No Greater Love has had countless unpaid student interns. One of our most outstanding and memorable interns was LTJG Brandan McCombie. Brandan interned for No Greater Love before joining the military after the terrorists attacks on September 11, 2001 where he rose in ranks to become a junior commissioned officer.
Carmella LaSpada, Founder of No Greater Love remembers Brandan by saying "[He] was a joy to be around - fun, dedicated, hard-working, and an outstanding young man. His allegiance was to God, his country, family, and friends. I met Brandan through his father Ryan, a former Navy SEAL, true patriot and invaluable friend of No Greater Love. I reflect upon the courage and bravery and sacrifice of Brandan who died because he had chosen to serve. No Greater Love honors his memory and all those whose sacrifice makes possible the freedoms we enjoy and cherish."
In a letter Brandan wrote to his parents on September 25, 2001 he spoke of his commitment to defend our country:
" Many of you have expressed interest in how this crisis is affecting me, am I being deployed: what do I think? etc. I have 10 months of learning to fly this combat aircraft after which, I will probably be among those who go. Until then I will be in the relatively safe confines of San Diego. When the time comes, if the time comes, I will go with honor. Through all of my years of being involved with the military (all of my years) I have always said that I would be willing to give my life for our country if so required. However, never have I had such a cause that I could, and will, stand for. It is something eveyone in the military has taken an oath to and voluntarily agreed to: To defend liberty, freedom and our way of life for our famlies, loved ones and all those to come in the future, so that my newphews, my friends children and everyone else will continue to grow up and live with the same freedoms that we have enjoyed throughout our lives. Don't take this the wrong way. I am not looking forward to dying in combat, only stating that I am willing to do so, for this cause is much larger than any of us. God help us that we may all be able to do what is necessary to solve this atrocious situation without any further loss of life, however, if the time comes, I know that myself and my military brothers with full support of our civilian countrymen, will do whatever is necessary. God Bless America! "
Tuesday, September 25,2001
LTJG Brandan McCombie was killed September 10, 2002.
We at No Greater Love and all of our interns are honored to know that a fellow intern, LTJG Brandan McCombie, who sacrificed his life for our freedoms, worked in this same office. We will continue to honor his legacy by celebrating the contributions and sacrifice of all our fallen.
