April 11, 2003
Even battle couldn't keep these brothers apartr By NORA K. WALLACE When terrorists attacked the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001, Jeffrey Nancarrow felt compelled to respond. Though he had no relatives or friends killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center or Pentagon, he felt the need to give something back to his country, to do something worthwhile and take control of his life. So two weeks later, the now 20-year-old joined the U.S. Army. A year later, on Sept. 11, 2002, his now 19-year-old brother, Matthew, joined as well, and asked to be in the same brigade as his sibling.
Both privates are now in Iraq, with the 101st Airborne Division, as part of the 502nd Infantry Division, 2nd Brigade. "They are both very, very close," said their mother, Paula Michal, an administrative assistant with the provider services department of the Santa Barbara Regional Health Authority. "Aside from being brothers, they're just best friends. I think they experienced so many other things together, they wanted to go through this thing as well." In February, within a week of one another, the brothers deployed. They were initially at Camp New York City in Kuwait, among the estimated 20,000 members of the 101st Airborne in the war zone. In recent days, the division's 2nd Brigade was reportedly pushed into Baghdad from the north. Federal law prohibits siblings from serving in the same company, so Jeffrey is in Bravo Company and Matthew is in Delta. "I think for them, they're happy they're together," Ms. Michal said. "They each know what the other is going through. It's a bonding thing." Since her sons left, Ms. Michal has received three letters from her eldest, but none from Matthew. In a letter dated March 15 and received weeks later, Jeffrey wrote, "This is a big step for both Matt and I and we will be different after this, hopefully for the best." He advised his mother "not to worry too much. Me and Matt will be fine, it's in our blood." That blood the soldier speaks of includes at least four relatives who have served in uniform. Their paternal grandfather, the late David Nancarrow Sr., was a Navy veteran of World War II and the founder of the Carrow's Restaurant chain. Ms. Michal's father, James Johns, is an Air Force veteran. Their father, David Jr., is a military history buff who taught his sons about the service. "For both of them, it's sort of given them a sense of themselves outside the influence of their father" and the family history, Ms. Michal said. "They got out from under that umbrella and established themselves." Their mother doubts either son will make the military a career, however. They want to attend college and start a nightclub. Both Jeffrey and Matthew played in the Santa Barbara City College Jazz Band -- Jeffrey on the trumpet and Matthew the saxophone. As the war progresses, Ms. Michel is a little more concerned -- she generally has an idea of what Jeffrey is doing, but hasn't been able to get a handle on where his brother might be. Jeffrey is likely among the ground forces entering Baghdad, while Matthew drives a humvee. Before her boys left for the war, Ms. Michal flew to Ft. Campbell, Ky. to help them ready for the deployment. She carted back Jeffrey's car, computer and personal papers. She helped Matthew pack his rucksack. Before they left for Kuwait, her sons asked Ms. Michal to fly a "blue star" flag in the window of her Santa Barbara home, representing a family with members serving in the war. Ms. Michal sewed one just for them, with two blue stars in the center, and hung it in her front window, awaiting their safe return. |
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