Shelton family mourns death of lieutenant killed in Iraq

? Relatives of a U.S. Army lieutenant from Shelton who was killed earlier this week in Iraq came together Thursday afternoon to mourn their loss. The Army says 1st Lt. Thomas Brown, 26, was killed Tuesday

News 12 Staff

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Sep 25, 2008, 10:44 PM

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Updated 5,976 days ago

? Relatives of a U.S. Army lieutenant from Shelton who was killed earlier this week in Iraq came together Thursday afternoon to mourn their loss.

The Army says 1st Lt. Thomas Brown, 26, was killed Tuesday while on patrol approximately 60 miles north of Baghdad. Lt. Brown is the 41st service member from Connecticut to be killed in combat since 2001.

All the flags in Lt. Brown?s hometown, as well as across the state of Connecticut, were flying at half staff Thursday in honor of the fallen soldier.

His twin, Timothy Brown, remembers a brother who was proud of his accomplishments in the military and dedicated to being the best soldier he could be.

?He just loved what he was doing, he loved his troops,? Timothy Brown says.

The soldiers who, until recently, were serving under Lt. Brown?s command have been calling his family from Iraq to express their condolences.

?They said, ?You know, your brother would never let us go out without him, and he'd never be anywhere but the front of the pack,?? Timothy Brown says.

Timothy Brown adds that his brother was a natural leader and a man who wanted to make a difference.

?He loved to lead by example, that's how he lived his life, and I think that's something I'm going to take away,? he says.

The family of Lt. Brown is still in the process of making funeral arrangements. The soldier?s mother says she is not yet sure when her son's body will be arriving home from Iraq.

Until Lt. Brown?s burial, Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell has requested that all of the state?s flags remain at half staff.