Hughes, Bradley S.

Bradley S. Hughes

Newark, Ohio

Feather Location: Row E, #07

The (Newark, Ohio) Advocate, By Anna Sudar

NEWARK, Ohio — For the past 22 years, Jennifer Kinney watched her friend, Army Sgt. 1st Class Bradley S. Hughes, serve his country with honor and integrity. Whether he was stationed overseas or visiting his family and friends in Licking County, Hughes lived every day with a positive attitude and a dedication to helping others, Kinney said. “He was a true American and a very giving person,” she said. “He never complained about his numerous deployments; he took it as his responsibility.”… “It’s a complete loss to many people,” Kinney said. “He was just an amazing man.”

A graduate of Newark High School, Hughes first enlisted in the Marine Corps in March 1989 and enlisted in the Army in February 1994, said Jeffery Melvin, a U.S. Army Special Operations Command public affairs specialist. He was stationed in Germany several times and spent some time stationed in Korea, Melvin said. He also served two tours in Iraq, according to Advocate records. Hughes was serving his first deployment in Afghanistan when he died, Melvin said.

Kinney was 6 when she met Hughes, who lived near her family in Newark. They played together almost every day and her family started calling him “Red” because of his red hair. “He was literally like a brother to me,” she said. “He was part of the family.” Even as a young teen, Hughes talked about joining the military and serving his country, Kinney said.

Hughes married his wife, Leslie, in 2008  and was devoted to her and her two sons, Kinney said. “From day one, he was very involved,” she said. “He took them under his wing immediately. That was the kind of guy he was.”

Carver:  Buell Burns carves with Miami Valley Wood Carvers.

Wood: Basswood