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Parade To Honor Tampa Soldier's Life

CLIFF McBRIDE / The Tampa Tribune

Bryan Luckey’s son, Bryan Jr., was born after the Army sergeant was killed by sniper fire in Iraq. Luckey Sr., pictured behind his son, will be honored during the Veterans Day parade in Town ’N Country.

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By Angela Delgado, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 8, 2007

07/05/06: 'Loving Man' Saluted At Service
Photo Gallery: Family Pictures, Memorial Pictures

TAMPA - Army Sgt. Bryan C. Luckey had a passion for aiding youth. He was dedicated to helping others and put people's needs before his own.

"He was a very dedicated young man," said his father, Patrick Luckey. "He would be the first one to go in to battle; he knew he was saved so he wasn't afraid to die."

Army Sgt. Bryan Luckey

On June 29, 2006, Bryan Luckey was riding on the back of a Stryker vehicle in Mosul, Iraq, when an enemy sniper shot him through his temple. Luckey, 25, died instantly.

Saturday, during the 14th annual Veterans Day parade, Luckey will be honored for his service. The parade, from 10 a.m. to noon, will be in Town 'N Country in northwestern Hillsborough County.

Growing up, Luckey had several family members in the military, his father included. He expressed interest in joining the military, his father said, but his heart began leading him to a life as a Baptist preacher.

Then the Sept. 11 attacks happened.

The attacks heightened his will and he signed up for the Army in January 2002. His younger brother, Matthew, followed suit and joined the Marines nine months later.

Bryan Luckey was sent to Iraq on his first tour in August 2005 and less than a year later was killed in action.

"In a way, it's a blessing the way he died," Patrick Luckey said. "At least he didn't have to suffer. He died doing something he believed in, serving his God and country."

Aside from his father, mother and two brothers, Luckey left behind his wife, Catherine, who was five months pregnant. She found out their child was a boy the day after Luckey died. Bryan Christian Luckey Jr. was born Oct. 12, 2006.

"He's rambunctious, plenty of energy," Patrick Luckey said. "A lot like his daddy. He's brought a great comfort to us. He's just a joy to be around. He gives us purpose."

Still, the sight of the boy also can be heartbreaking.

"It's tough seeing my grandson, calling him Bryan, and seeing him look just like him and knowing he's not here. It's kind of rough," Luckey said.

Saturday, Luckey will be in the parade riding in a car with his grandson, wife Paula, son Joshua and Catherine.

"It makes me proud that people would think of him, but I don't think of him as just being honored, but all veterans," Luckey said. "I'm doing this to honor my son and veterans."

Every year, parade organizers put together a list of soldiers from the area who died in the war. Bryan Luckey was raised in Town 'N Country and his story was compelling enough to bring him to the top of the list.

"He was pursuing a career to be a preacher, and it was after 9/11 he decided to join the military and serve his country," said Brian Boyle, chairman of the parade. "He gave up his life to do that. We thought it was touching he gave up one career to pursue another out of patriotism for his country."

The parade route begins at Morgan Woods Elementary School, 7001 Armand Drive, continues to Hanley Road and heads south to Webb Middle School at 6035 Hanley Road. The parade route is almost a mile long.

Because parade funding has been low this year, certain aspects will be different, but the parade is moving forward. It will have about 10 to 12 floats from Gasparilla, a half-dozen high school and middle school bands and many military units, Boyle said.

The parade is being led off by Maj. Albert Frost of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, followed by the MacDill Air Force Base Honor Guard and Grand Marshal Col. Robert Thomas, commander of MacDill Air Force Base and the 6th Air Mobility Wing.

"It's not going to be easy," Luckey said about the parade, tears welling in his eyes. "Every day I go through my periods. There's not a day that I don't think of him many times. It's still pretty fresh, although it's been over a year.

"He was just a sincere, caring individual that cared for others much more than he did for himself," he said. "His purpose on earth was to serve others and to help others."

Reporter Angela Delgado can be reached at (813) 865-1501 or adelgado@tampatrib.com.

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