Collier County veteran inspires courage with his personal story

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. —

Every year at his home at Vi at Bentley Village, Brent Barents revisits a letter sharing what he lived on June 21, 1969.

"The enemy fire was just as intense, but I continue," Barents said.

It's a firsthand account that he humbly won't admit, which sheds light on the true meaning of courage. Barents, a Marine pilot in Vietnam, experienced nothing short of pain.

"I was shot down four times. Two times, I needed to be rescued," Barents said.

He also displayed nothing short of bravery. After 700 combat missions, Barents earned a Silver Star.

"I was very proud of my crew members in the back, the crew chief, the first mechanic, and the door gunners," Barents said.

But what stays with him most is the memory of his brothers, the ones he did everything he could to not leave behind.

"When I go to the Vietnam wall, I know about 200 people on that wall," Barents said. "It's very emotional for me."

When Barents thinks of those brothers, all he's left with is this.

"God bless you," Barents said. "God bless you. You gave your life. They need to be talked about. They were very courageous people."

This Memorial Day, and every day, Barents hopes we won't forget those men. The ones who didn't make it home. The ones whose stories still live on. The ones Barents will forever carry with him.

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