Army Spc. Timothy D. Brown

In Iraq, soldiers called Timothy D. Brown by the nickname “UPS,” because of the shipping company”s slogan: “What Can Brown Do For You?” “Ever since he was a little kid, he knew he wanted to be a soldier,” said his aunt, Susan Metzger. Brown, 23, of Cedar Springs, Mich., was killed Nov. 4 by a land mine in Habbaniyah. He was assigned to Saginaw. Brown joined the Guard in 2003 after graduating from high school. His unit was activated in January, and by July he was carrying out combat missions in the Sunni Triangle, according to his squad leader, Staff Sgt. Eugene Bennett. “Tim never once backed down from a mission,” Bennett said. “It was an honor for me to be able to serve with him.” Stevie Brown said people loved her brother”s sense of humor. “He would always make me laugh. He was the funniest person I”ve ever met,” she said. Brown was an outdoorsman who loved hunting and camping. He had been scheduled for leave from the war in October. But he stepped aside to allow another soldier – who had a family – to take his place instead. He also is survived by his parents, Tim and Cindy.