Soldier draws musical inspiration from loss of comrades

Courtesy Photo | FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan - Spc. Brandon Begley, a mechanic with Headquarters Co., 27th Engineer Battalion out of Fort Bragg, produces beautiful music in honor of his fallen comrades although his hands are rough and work beaten. Photo by Sgt. Amber Robinson.  

ORGUN, AFGHANISTAN

02.02.2007

Courtesy Story

AFN Afghanistan

By Sgt. Amber Robinson
Task Force Spartan Public Affairs Specialist

FORWARD OPERATING BASE ORGUN-E, Afghanistan - The loss of a comrade is one of the most difficult obstacles to overcome for International Security Assistance Force Soldiers as they move forward towards mission success. Each Soldier finds their own way to grieve. For one light-wheeled vehicle mechanic, the pain of loss is grieved in a most emotional way; through music.

Spc. Brandon Begley, Headquarters Co., 27th Engineer Battalion from Fort Bragg, NC, has expressed himself through music for the last 13 years.

"I started playing piano when I was 6 years old," said Begley.

Begley, who is self-taught except for one year of formal training paid for by his church, has reveled in the solace of music ever since.

"It seems easier to say what's truly inside your heart with music," he said.

Begley's specialty, as his piano skills sharpened, became the sonata, a classical music piece consisting of several movements. His most recent, the Sonata of War of Peace, was inspired by the loss of his unit's Soldiers and his fellow 10th Mountain comrades during combat operations in Paktika Province.

"The sonata is composed of three different movements," said Begley. "Each movement illustrates through music the many different phases in a Soldier's life during a deployment."

Begley, currently stationed on FOB Orgun-E, spends every evening after a hard day's work in the FOB's chapel, diligently practicing his skill on the facility's electronic keyboard. His hands are rough and work beaten, but the poignant and beautiful notes they produce lend something to the ultimate sacrifice of a Soldier.

The first movement, Begley explained, is an epic beginning. It is the beginning of a Soldier's time in a foreign country.

"Imagine sunrise over Afghanistan," Begley said as he began to play.

The notes of the first movement are high, hopeful. They seem to embody not only the high spirits of a Soldier starting out on a new mission in a far-off country, but the high spirits of a nation looking towards a bright future brought to realization while working hand-in-hand with ISAF Soldiers.

Before each movement, Begley paused to quickly convey the story that he has given new musical life.

The second movement, he explained, is a day in the life of a deployed Soldier.

"This movement is simply about a Soldier putting one foot in front of the other during deployment," said Begley.

The notes of the second movement are much slower and almost melancholy. High notes are followed by low notes.

"You have good days and bad days out here," said Begley. "Your mission may be going well, but it's hard making it a year without seeing your family."

The last movement is "the most painful" Begley explained. The third and final movement takes the listener into the pain of a lost comrade, also the most powerful portion of the sonata. The notes suggest a mourner on the verge of tears.

"I felt like I needed to do something for these Soldiers," said Begley, as he finishes his sonata with tears in his eyes. "These men gave their lives in defense of their country. That is the greatest sacrifice; made for me, my country and for the liberation of Afghanistan as well. I am honored to serve by such amazing men. They did not back down and they did not quit, that is why I had to find a way to honor them."

Begley has written many more piano pieces, mostly for his family.

"I wrote an anthem for my mother's side of the family and I am working on one for my father's family, but the most important piece is the one I wrote for my daughter. The day my little girl was born was the happiest day of my life," said Begley.

The dedicated piano player affectionately named his daughter's song "Bella's Anthem," a song that sings the praises of his firstborn and embodies the love and pride he felt on the day she was born.

Begley's capacity for capturing the emotion of life with his musical talent is great because of the passion and dedication that he pours into his skill. If he feels anything strongly, the need to express it through song comes naturally.

"I thank God everyday that I wake up and can play," said Begley. "I know he gave me this gift, and it is in His hands."

Begley, appreciative of his gift, takes pride in bestowing it upon others.

"The gift of music is one of the most beautiful you can give, in my opinion," says Begley. "Music shows empathy, sympathy and respect. I feel that music is respect. I hold the men and women that have lost their lives in combat in the highest of regards. I wanted to give them the greatest respect I could."

Begley has hopes of later joining the Army Band and bringing his musical talent and his Army career together in a more formal way. But for now, Begley is a mechanic moving forward as best as he can, bringing music as solace for himself and as a special gift for those around him.

• Date Taken: 02.02.2007
• Date Posted: 02.05.2007 11:18
• Story ID: 9051
• Location: ORGUN, AF