Families remember acts of courage by a local soldier killed in Iraq, and the heart shown Monday by his brother.
A roadside bomb killed Army Private Branden Haunert this past weekend.
Haunert was a 2005 graduate of Sycamore High School, and a member of the baseball team.
Monday, Sycamore played a state tournament game, hours after learning their friend was no longer with them.
To most , it was just a game. Two high school teams,Moeller and Sycamore, just kids, playing hard and hoping to move on in the state tournament.
To others, the game was a way to honor a young man who left Sycamore High School, it seems, like just yesterday.
Family and friends found out Sunday 2005 grad Branden Haunert was killed in Iraq by a roadside bomb.
He had been there just five weeks. He was just 21-years-old.
"He's a hero, an absolute hero," said Chris Shrimpton.
Shrimpton coached Haunert when he played third base for him at Sycamore.
Hauntert's younger brother, Andrew, now plays third for the team, and made sure he took the field for Monday afternoon's game. One brother showing courage at war.Another showing courage on what has to be the worst day of his life.
"I've known Andrew for six or seven years," said Lance MacLean, Sycamore parent. "I coach him in the summer, and he's always been a competitor, he's the type of kid. I know it was tough for him out there today, but he gave it his best and he won't be happy with the outcome, but that showed a lot of guts."
"A lot of heavy hearts," said Matt Kroell, Sycamore parent. "I thought they'd call this game today. For them to come out and play, I just can't believe what they went though."
The game began with a moment of silence for Branden Haunert. During the game, Andrew's teammates wore his brother's initials on their caps. And when it ended,Sycamore congratulated Moeller for its win, everyone trying to comfort a kid for his loss.
"I don't know how I could have done it," said MacLean.
Private Haunert is the second Sycamore graduate killed in combat since 9/11. Army Specialist Daniel Freeman died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan in 2005.
