ORONO – Staff Sgt. Brandon M. Silk, 25, died serving our country June 21, 2010, in Afghanistan. He was born Dec. 23, 1984, at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, the son of Mark A. and Lynn M. (Ronan) Silk. From an early age, Brandon wanted to fly. His favorite movie was “Top Gun.” Brandon was a 2003 graduate of Orono High School, having transferred from Calais High School. At Orono, Brandon excelled in football and track. His classmates gave him the nickname “Silky Smooth.” After graduation, Brandon enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was a Black Hawk crew chief and a member of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky. He was on his fourth tour of duty having served in Korea, Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan. Brandon loved hunting, fishing and the great outdoors. His favorite colors were mossy oak and blaze orange. He will be remembered for his big personality, self-determination, self-confidence and being so full of life. Brandon enjoyed music, playing the guitar, trivia, following the Red Sox and Patriots, and riding motorcycles. Brandon loved Maine, especially the family camp on Green Lake. Brandon especially appreciated Bob Marley’s interpretations of life in Maine. He loved being the “Crazy Mainer” in his unit. Brandon loved his family, his friends and fellow soldiers. He was proud to serve with the men and women of the 101st Airborne Division. In addition to his parents, Mark and Lynn of Orono, he is survived by two brothers, David Silk and his wife, Jaclyn, of Old Town and Blaine Silk of Orono; maternal grandparents, Nancy and Blaine Robinson of Orono; aunts and uncles, Robert and Linda Ronan, Diane and Robert Harris, John and Tracy Ronan, Cheryl and Martin Reed, Peter and Connie Silk; cousins, Michael Ronan, Katherine Ronan, Evan Harris, Bryan Harris, Katelynn Ronan, Taylor Ronan, Erika Stubbs, CJ Silk and Shaun Silk; the child of his heart, Brayden Browning; and special friends, Marlon and Carol Browning, Brian Tyne, Paul White and Melissa Stevens. He was predeceased by maternal grandfather, Robert Ronan; paternal grandparents, Larry and Josie Silk; and an uncle, Jon Silk. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to House in the Woods, Military and Family Retreat, In Memory of Brandon Silk, 2819 Lee Road, Lee, ME 04455, or at www.houseinthewoods.org. Service details will be announced in the Monday edition of the Bangor Daily News. Condolences may be left at www.birminghamfuneralhome.com. <
STAFF SGT. BRANDON M. SILK
