The Cassidy Family

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Brian Cassidy

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Brian Cassidy grew up on stories of his Great Uncle Raymond, a two-time Purple Heart and Silver Star recipient who served and died in the U.S. Army during World War II.  Brian followed in his great uncle’s footsteps, enlisting in the U.S. Army soon after completing high school. He served his country in the Infantry for 23 years, including six deployments. Brian completed two combat deployments to Iraq and one to Afghanistan and also served in Haiti, Sinai and Kosovo. He retired honorably from the U.S. Army in 2017.

During his 2004-2005 deployment to Iraq, Brian and his unit were on patrol in Sadr City, Baghdad. As the unit patrolled on foot, an improvised explosive device (IED) was remotely detonated, flinging Brian 15 yards through the air. Shrapnel pierced Brian’s upper body, and he suffered a traumatic brain injury upon impact as well as injuries to his back, legs and left ankle. Dazed, Brian helped to gather the wounded and evacuate the area. Several members of Brian’s unit suffered severe injuries with one fatality.

Brian carries visible and invisible scars from his nearly two decades in service to his country. He suffers from chronic arthritic joint pain, leg and ankle pain and tinnitus as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and migraines.

Brian has been honored with a number of awards for his service, including a Purple Heart. Other recognitions and commendations include an Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, eight Army Commendation Medals, seven Army Achievement Medals, six Army Good Conduct Medals, an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with Arrowhead, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and many more.

Brian and his wife, Tracey, have been married for 23 years. Tracey worked as a canine trainer and behaviorist, a career she recently retired from after 30 years, and served as a mentor for other military wives during Brian’s military career.

Since retiring from the Army, Brian has worked as an independent contractor for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, serving as a Veteran’s Benefits Advisor at Keesler Air Force Base. He educates fellow service members about the benefits and tools available to them. Additionally, he has earned the ASIST Master Trainer Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Certification and has previously served as a combat counselor. He hopes to continue to invest in fellow veterans through support resources and programs.

Brian has also earned certification as an RV repair technician and inspector. He and Tracey own Get Up & Go RV Inspection’s LLC, a small business focused on offering offer economical services and repairs for active-duty service members and veterans residing in their mobile homes. In addition to working together, the couple enjoys sports, motorcycling, yoga, canine community events, military family retreats and enjoying local festivals.

Operation Finally Home is proud to work with Lennar in providing U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Brian Cassidy and family the gift of a free home in the Greenville area.