Death of James Brolan RGJ - THIS BOARD IS NOW FOR HISTORICAL PURPOSES ONLY. CLICK ON RGJ ASSOCIATION TO RETURN TO NEW IN MEMORIAM FORUM.

Date: May 31, 2006

Death of James Brolan RGJ

Date: May 31, 2006

I didn't know James as a serving soldier,however, as a news reporter he was obviously good at his job and highly thought of by his colleagues. To go into such a situation armed only with a camera and very little other protection takes a certain kind of person and being a greenjacket makes him that kind of a person.

I send my deepest condolences to all of his famliy and to his work mates,R.I.P James

Date: May 31, 2006

RIP. Old friend it is nice to see that another of the Green Machine has left some good memories of our Heritage.

My condolences to His Family.

Date: Jun 1, 2006

I Knew Jim back in 86/87 and he left to pursue his career as a quote "war correspondent" i was a young 20 yr old PTI then but often tought what he must have been up to, but never saw or heard of him again,however on a flight out of Iraq few days ago i heard an american journalist mention his name... and sure enough recognised his face in the press,so 20 years later our paths had crossed again,as we were both in Baghdad,but a few miles apart,with me leaving the country for R&R and Jim tragically leaving this life for the next,and at least he died doing what he really wanted to be doing and the tribute from CBS Colleagues tells us he was highly thought of and had recently won awards for his work........Jim we shall remember you and have a drink for you at the Re-union.....

Date: Jun 1, 2006

I probably didnt know James very well although our paths may have crossed in Mercer Barracks Osnabruck. My Condolences to James Family.

Kev Goode

EX3 and 1 RGJ

Date: Jun 4, 2006

I have just read the very sad news of the demise of dear Jim Brolan.

I worked with Jim for a couple of years when he served with us (1RGJ) in Osnabruck, when he was employed as the regimental sign writer (a very good one too). I've read the comments from his civilian colleague and totally relate to the "gorilla walk"!! He had outstanding humour and I am honoured to have known him.

Jim. RIP mate and my very sincere condolences go to your family. This world will miss you for sure.

He will have known me as "Mo" and he was Jim to me.

Date: Jun 5, 2006

Webmaster wrote:

I remember Jim from Belm in Osnabruck him and Gerry lived above us. I (Dawn) remember him again for his wit, and kindness he was very kind to myself and Sylvia Vacher when we were pregnant and our husbands were away in N Ireland.

I remember a funny story about Jim at that time he was looking after a friends child, a boy who could not say Jim he used to call him Dim, he would walk around behind Jim all the time shouting DIm, Dim, Dim, until one day Jim Had had enough and turned to the boy and said hey your not so smart yourself you little ****, well this made me laugh until I cried.

I cry again now Jim but not with joy, but for the loss of yet another special person taken too soon by people who will never know or care about what you as a person meant to soo many people. RIP in our hearts and minds. Goodbye and God Bless. Our heartfelt condolences to Gerry and the Girls

We regret to announce the death of James who was killed in Iraq on May 29th by a roadside bomb. Please leave your tributes here with those of some of his civilian colleagues below. Foreign Correspondent Jim Sciutto recalls traveling with Brolan, who had also worked extensively for ABC News: In television news, we meet people who are professional and who are fun, but I have never met someone who combined both so well, adding in a one-of-a-kind flair for performance. James was, simply, hilarious. He made you laugh out loud — and I'm talking gut-wrenching, painful laughter — in the worst situations: an endless stint in Kabul, a dusty embed in the Kuwaiti desert, a long nerve-wracking stay in Baghdad. He was at his best with children. Along with his audio mixer, he carried a repertoire of silly tricks wherever he traveled: the missing thumb trick, the faked high-five and — my favorite — the gorilla walk. I have a picture somewhere — I'm killing myself that I can't find it — of James performing the gorilla walk for dozens of enthralled Afghan kids on a desolate road somewhere between Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif. In their faces, I remember seeing pure enjoyment and certainty they were watching their first certifiably insane white man. He made them and us happy, when it was truly difficult. James was a self-proclaimed master of useless information. I still find myself quoting cocktail party facts, and then quietly remembering I heard them from James first. Obscure things, like the origin of marmalade (a curative treatment developed when Marie Antoinette was sick, or in French 'Marie malade') or the way his old military unit the Royal Green Jackets was the first British unit to give up bright red uniforms for more camouflaged green. He was also absolutely unbeatable at Scrabble. Silly stuff, but when you're riding in a military convoy or killing time in Baghdad, it is priceless entertainment. I can assure you that the world of news is less warm, less happy, and less fun without James.

Date: Jun 7, 2006

My wife and I are deeply saddened to hear about the loss of James. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. We spent time with James along with his colleagues Matt and Andrew while in Nepal. It was one of the highlights of our trip. Nepal is a special place and it was a priviledge to meet and spend time with him. There are three things I distinctly remember about James . We never laughed so much in our life (endless jokes & stories, monkey walk), scrabble guru (I should have stole or hid his scrabble board from him especially for the countless beatings we took at scrabble) , and the joy he expressed when he spoke of his family. He inspired us to purchase a travel scrabble set. We always thought of him whenever we played scrabble. We had hoped to encounter James again and finally beat him. It is amazing to read all the stories on the web about his consistent ability to make people laugh and the pride and joy he expressed about his family. Even though James is no longer with us, it is comforting to know that there are a lot of people laughing in heaven, frustrated scrabble players, and that maybe he can look out for the rest of us from above. James, Thank you for touching our lives, if only for a brief moment in time. May you rest in peace.

Date: Jun 14, 2006

I was lucky enough to go to school with James and later, when on leave, he met my sister and also some how persued me not to join up. Not listening to good advice I joined in 86.

The first weekend after I joined btn was their wedding. Soon after that we were all off to Germany. Along came Sam, now a strapping 18 yo, and many a funny time was had in Belm.

I left in 89 and joined civvy street. James continued to do his own thing and carve out a career looking after all whilst you did. I don't know the number of times, knowing you were in Iraq or Afganistan, I would always think of what you did with pride and thanks for the tshirts etc that you brought back and only wish that this time you could have returned to your family.

The funeral yesterday was tough and I was glad to see some old friends and thanks to everyone who has sent cards and phoned.

To James, my bro in-law, may you rest in peace and thanks for all you did for Geri and the kids.

You will so be missed by all that had the honour of knowing you.

Simon

1RGJ - A Company then Signal Platoon

Date: Jun 16, 2006

James Brolan RGJ

Date: Jun 19, 2006

RE: Death of James Brolan RGJ