Copyright © 2001 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

SPERRY, OK - Cherokee citizen Brian Moss was killed September 11, 2001 when a hijacked airplane crashed into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., where Moss was working. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith was one of the speakers at Moss' funeral. The following is an excerpt from Chief Smith's speech:

"On September 11, Petty Officer Second Class Brian Moss was killed while on duty at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. He was a citizen of the Cherokee Nation from Sperry, Oklahoma.

"Patriotism is an allegiance and loyalty to one's government and people. Redbird Smith stated almost 100 years ago, 'Our pride in our ancestral heritage is our great incentive for handing something worthwhile to our posterity. It is this pride in ancestry that makes men strong and loyal for their principal in life. It is this same pride that makes men give their all for their government.'

"Brian Moss was a member and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, the Cherokee Nation that has been a government recognized by the world community since 1721 when we signed our first treaty with Great Britain. Members of a government are citizens. Our citizenship with the Cherokee Nation has been recognized by the world for more than 280 years. In our first treaty with the United States, in 1785, we became political and military allies with the United States of America. Since the war of 1812, we have fought along side our fellow Americans in every war and military engagement. In 1901, the United States granted the citizens of the Cherokee Nation American citizenship. American Indians hold dual citizenship. Brian Moss was a citizen of the United States of America, and he was a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.

"American Indians have distinguished themselves in times of war and reportedly the most decorated group of Americans in times of war. We are patriotic. Brian Moss showed his patriotism for the Cherokee Nation and the United States on September 11. He will be missed."

The life of Navy Petty Office 2nd Class Brian Anthony Moss was celebrated with full military honors last Friday, September 28, at Sperry High School’s football stadium.

An estimated 2,000 people gathered in the stadium lined with American flags blowing freely in a light breeze.

Brian Moss was one of the reasons those flags could be freely flown.

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Brian Moss was at his post at the chief of Naval Operations Telecommunications Center in Washington, D.C. when a hijacked passenger place was crashed into the Pentagon. He died for freedom that day.

With the solemn toll of a ship’s bell and ceremonial precision, six Navy pallbearers removed Brian's flag-draped casket from a white hearse and delivered it to midfield. Throughout the service, dignitaries from state government, fellow naval officers, the chief of the Cherokees, friends and family expressed sentiments and shared the joy of Brian's life.

U.S. Congressman Brad Carson, keynote speaker at the memorial, said Brian was an "American hero." He said we should all look to Brian's life as a shining example by which to live in the days to come.

Representatives of Governor Keating and Senator Jim Inhofe called Brian a "true hero and patriot" and offered their sympathy and condolences to the Moss family.

Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, said Brian was not only a patriot of the United States, but of the Cherokee Nation as well. He said there was no Cherokee word for "goodbye", but there is a phrase roughly translated to "until we meet again." Chief Smith shared his belief that Brian and his family and all “brothers” will meet again in Heaven.

Smith presented the Moss family, headed by Brian's parents Billy and Pat Moss, with a Cherokee Nation flag. Chief Perry Officer Skip Jasper, who served the Moss family in so many ways following the tragedy of Sept. 11, said naval sailors are as close as brothers. He said the word used to show that closeness is "shipmate."

Brian was a "true shipmate who served his country well", said Jasper.

Navy Admiral Kenneth Slaght said, "(Brian) stood out. He was a cut above." He said Brian lived by the Naval code of values "you can't talk the talk if you don't walk the walk.

"Brian held all the promises of life in his hands. He stood for everything that makes America great."

In his description of Brian's twelve years of distinguished service to the U.S Navy, Admiral Slaght told of the many honors Brain had received, including being selected to the prestigious Naval Ceremonial Guard in Washington D.C. Sailor of the Year 200-2001 and awarded the Purple Heart, posthumously, among other accolades.

Admiral Slaght also said he had received numerous cards and letters from around the world form those who knew Brain. Most all had expressed nearly the same thoughts, most notably: "His smile will be missed the most. It could light up a room."

Family and friends expressed the same sentiments through song, poems and joyful remembrances of Brian's life. They said Brain always stood by his friends, treated others with kindness, as well as always having a smile on his face.

The memorial service was closed with a Naval Honors Detail gun-salute, bugler playing "Taps", and presentation of the American flag to Brian's parents.

This American patriot, hero in his hometown of Sperry and way beyond, will receive full military burial on October 10 at Arlington National Cemetery.

Brain Anthony Moss, 34, of Sperry, was born Oct. 287, 1966 in Tulsa to Pat and Billy Moss. He graduated from Sperry High School in 1984, then attended NEO at Miami, Okla., where he earned a degree in business management. He worked for a Tulsa brokerage firm until he was transferred to their Washington D.C. office in 1988.

Brian returned to Sperry in 1990. After telling his parents he felt compelled to something more with his life, he joined the U.S. Navy on March 8, 1990.

His first duty station was Naval Facility Command Adak, Alaska. While there, he met and married the former Mary Lou Misamore of Toledo, Ohio on Dec. 28, 1992.

Following his tour of duty, he volunteered to join the Navy’s elite submarine force and completed his training at Naval Submarine School in Groton Connecticut in Dec. of 1993.

After graduating form submarine school, he was stationed on the USS Alabama and was a member of the Blue Crew.

Following completion of his sea duty, Brian was selected to become a member of the prestigious Naval Ceremonial Guard located in Washington, D.C. He quickly accelerated to the position of Divisional Leading Petty Officer for the elite Guard.

He transferred to the Pentagon in June of 2001 and was assigned to the Chief of Naval Operations Telecommunications Center, where he was selected as Naval District Washington D.C. Sailor of the Year 2000-2001.

During Brian's distinguished naval career, he earned the following awards and decorations: Purple Heart (posthumous); Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two, one posthumous); Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five); Navy Battle “E” Ribbon; Good Conduct medal (three); National Defense Service Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Over Overseas Ribbon (two); Pistol Marksman Medal (Expert); Rifle Marksman Ribbon (Sharpshooter); Submarine Warfare Designation; and SSBN Deterrent Patrol Pin (eight).

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Bill and Merilee Moss; Maternal grandfather, Earl Echer; and aunt, Cheryl Moss.

Survivors include: his wife, MaryLou; daughter, Ashten; son, Conner; parents, Billy and Pat Moss of Sperry; two sisters, Tina and Angie of Sperry; grandmother, Rosella Smith; a host of nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles; and numerous friends and "shipmates."

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Brain Moss Patriot Scholarship Fund. Donations may be made at the Exchange Bank in Sperry and Skiatook.