Enid Family Honors, Remembers Their Lost Soldier

The Rudolf family will spend this Memorial Day without their father and husband. Chief Warrant Officer Brady Rudolf died in a helicopter crash along with six other soldiers in September.

Monday, May 25th 2009, 12:47 am

By: News 9


By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

ENID, Oklahoma -- The Rudolf family will spend this Memorial Day without their father and husband.

Chief Warrant Officer Brady Rudolf died in a helicopter crash along with six other soldiers in September.

At the Rudolf residence the family is trying to stay busy knowing Memorial Day is an emotional day for them.

"It's a little different this year," Brady's wife Jennifer said. "It's more than just picnics. We're remembering Brady."

It's been less than a year since their husband and father was killed in combat.

"It's by faith that I do it day by day, and you know, there are rough days and I will cry out to God to help me," Jennifer said.

The hardest part she says is knowing no matter how many holidays go by or family games they play they will always be a player short.

"He was a very hands-on father and we were a team and I miss that," Jennifer said.

Brady was a decorated soldier who gave his life defending his country and his family makes that known not just by the displays in their house, but by the T-shirts they wear.

"It has the red river 44 which is the call sign of the helicopter and the seven ribbons cause there were seven who died in the crash," Jennifer said.

As for Jennifer, she's made sure to be strong for their kids, but she admits it's missing out on the moments only a husband and wife can share, that bring her to tears.

"The hardest part is missing my best friend, my best friend in life, that part is hard," Jennifer said.

To make the day as memorable as they can the family will spend the day with relatives.

Brady was 37-years-old.

Brady will also be honored by having his name added to Woodring Wall of Honor in Enid, a monument that bares the names of past and present military.

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