If, upon meeting Donald W. Brennan, one was unaware - or could not tell - that he was a fiercely proud US Marine, he would be sure to bring them up to speed within the first ten minutes of cheerfully making their acquaintance. On May 10, 2023, at the end of his full, remarkable life, surrounded by unshakable love, Don's spirit left his body and was lifted to heaven on the voices of family members and dear friends, who serenaded him with The Marines' Hymn, of course. He was 82 years young.
Born to Herbert and Ruth (Watson) Brennan on November 26, 1940, Don spent his youth running amuck on the streets and ice hockey rinks of South Boston/Backbay. The camaraderie he shared with close-knit friends and teammates during his salad days in Boston became the proving ground for the irrepressible fellowship of the USMC, which he would later come to embrace and embody - heart and soul.
Upon graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and became an artillery man, serving two tours in Vietnam. There, he more than earned the wisdom and toughness required to perform his job as a Drill Sergeant for the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. Having demonstrated incontrovertible service to his country, and having established his blood type as Semper Fi, Don was promoted to Master Gunnery Sergeant, fulfilling his dream as a career Marine.
While at Quantico, upon request of any Drill Sergeant putting recruits through their paces, Master Gunnery Sergeant Brennan relished every opportunity to demonstrate flawless pull-ups for young Marines while dressed to perfection in his Dress Blues. In his white gloves, he made it a point to complete at least three times the pull-ups than the recruits were being asked to complete... never breaking a sweat.
Don's next tour as NCOIC of the Marine Security Detachment in El Salvador enriched his life beyond measure. His love of the Salvadorian people and their culture burned bright in his heart until the last of his days. He felt enormous pride in the Marines under his command, and the friendships they forged blossomed into life-long connections. Don's investment in the continued success of his men, throughout their Marine Corp careers and into their civilian lives, was steadfast and rooted in brotherly love.
MGySgt Brennan personified the Marine Corps' 14 Leadership Traits (Bearing, Courage, Decisiveness, Dependability, Endurance, Enthusiasm, Initiative, Integrity, Judgment, Justice, Knowledge, Loyalty, Tact, and Unselfishness). His leadership was rewarded with the opportunity to return to Washington DC as the Chief Instructor of the Marine Security Guard Battalion, and in turn, to travel the world, overseeing training and security operations at Embassies across the globe.
After retiring from the Marines, Don founded Brennan's Heating and Air Conditioning in Woodbridge, Virginia. With Marine Corps vigor, he built a thriving local business the old-fashioned way....going door to door, mailbox to mailbox, armed with flyers, his young children in tow. For four decades, Don felt great pride that he was able to share his business success with his hard-working, professional team. Brennan's Heating and Air Conditioning continues to serve Northern Virginia communities with his son, Michael, at the helm.
In his later years, spent in South Carolina, Don worked to perfect his golf game... to the delight of pro-shops and golf equipment retailers all along the eastern seaboard. He maintained his lifelong passion for shooting, discovered the joys of travel - civilian-style, and never ever missed a chance to regale family and friends, old and brand spanking new, with his legendary stories. He touched the lives of everyone he encountered, meeting strangers where they were, with empathy, respect, kindness, and a smile ... and always acknowledging and honoring the potential in young people, helping them to see that potential themselves.
Don will forever be a cherished, beloved husband, friend, fellow Marine, father, stepfather, grandfather, grandpa, grumpy, and great grandpa.
His enduring optimism, generosity, and zest for life lives on in the love of his life, wife of 31 years, Pamela F. Brennan; and in their children - Cindy Persing, Michael Brennan (Tracy), Laurin Huse & Sonnet Coggins (Sam Amoroso); grandchildren - Matthew Catterton, Justin Brennan, Kimberly Barefoot (Corey), Nicholas Persing, Megan Persing, Max Amoroso & Arlo Amoroso; and great-grandchildren - Elizabeth Catterton & Michael Catterton.
Brennan family quadrupeds - Baker, Gigi, Pocket, Abigail, Callie, & Spike - will dearly miss their not-so-secret treats from the table.
Born to Herbert and Ruth (Watson) Brennan on November 26, 1940, Don spent his youth running amuck on the streets and ice hockey rinks of South Boston/Backbay. The camaraderie he shared with close-knit friends and teammates during his salad days in Boston became the proving ground for the irrepressible fellowship of the USMC, which he would later come to embrace and embody - heart and soul.
Upon graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and became an artillery man, serving two tours in Vietnam. There, he more than earned the wisdom and toughness required to perform his job as a Drill Sergeant for the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. Having demonstrated incontrovertible service to his country, and having established his blood type as Semper Fi, Don was promoted to Master Gunnery Sergeant, fulfilling his dream as a career Marine.
While at Quantico, upon request of any Drill Sergeant putting recruits through their paces, Master Gunnery Sergeant Brennan relished every opportunity to demonstrate flawless pull-ups for young Marines while dressed to perfection in his Dress Blues. In his white gloves, he made it a point to complete at least three times the pull-ups than the recruits were being asked to complete... never breaking a sweat.
Don's next tour as NCOIC of the Marine Security Detachment in El Salvador enriched his life beyond measure. His love of the Salvadorian people and their culture burned bright in his heart until the last of his days. He felt enormous pride in the Marines under his command, and the friendships they forged blossomed into life-long connections. Don's investment in the continued success of his men, throughout their Marine Corp careers and into their civilian lives, was steadfast and rooted in brotherly love.
MGySgt Brennan personified the Marine Corps' 14 Leadership Traits (Bearing, Courage, Decisiveness, Dependability, Endurance, Enthusiasm, Initiative, Integrity, Judgment, Justice, Knowledge, Loyalty, Tact, and Unselfishness). His leadership was rewarded with the opportunity to return to Washington DC as the Chief Instructor of the Marine Security Guard Battalion, and in turn, to travel the world, overseeing training and security operations at Embassies across the globe.
After retiring from the Marines, Don founded Brennan's Heating and Air Conditioning in Woodbridge, Virginia. With Marine Corps vigor, he built a thriving local business the old-fashioned way....going door to door, mailbox to mailbox, armed with flyers, his young children in tow. For four decades, Don felt great pride that he was able to share his business success with his hard-working, professional team. Brennan's Heating and Air Conditioning continues to serve Northern Virginia communities with his son, Michael, at the helm.
In his later years, spent in South Carolina, Don worked to perfect his golf game... to the delight of pro-shops and golf equipment retailers all along the eastern seaboard. He maintained his lifelong passion for shooting, discovered the joys of travel - civilian-style, and never ever missed a chance to regale family and friends, old and brand spanking new, with his legendary stories. He touched the lives of everyone he encountered, meeting strangers where they were, with empathy, respect, kindness, and a smile ... and always acknowledging and honoring the potential in young people, helping them to see that potential themselves.
Don will forever be a cherished, beloved husband, friend, fellow Marine, father, stepfather, grandfather, grandpa, grumpy, and great grandpa.
His enduring optimism, generosity, and zest for life lives on in the love of his life, wife of 31 years, Pamela F. Brennan; and in their children - Cindy Persing, Michael Brennan (Tracy), Laurin Huse & Sonnet Coggins (Sam Amoroso); grandchildren - Matthew Catterton, Justin Brennan, Kimberly Barefoot (Corey), Nicholas Persing, Megan Persing, Max Amoroso & Arlo Amoroso; and great-grandchildren - Elizabeth Catterton & Michael Catterton.
Brennan family quadrupeds - Baker, Gigi, Pocket, Abigail, Callie, & Spike - will dearly miss their not-so-secret treats from the table.
If, upon meeting Donald W. Brennan, one was unaware - or could not tell - that he was a fiercely proud US Marine, he would be sure to bring them up to speed within the first ten minutes of cheerfully making their acquaintance. On May 10, 2023, at the end of his full, remarkable life, surrounded by unshakable love, Don's spirit left his body and was lifted to heaven on the voices of family members and dear friends, who serenaded him with The Marines' Hymn, of course. He was 82 years young.
Born to Herbert and Ruth (Watson) Brennan on November 26, 1940, Don spent his youth running amuck on the streets and ice hockey rinks of South Boston/Backbay. The camaraderie he shared with close-knit friends and teammates during his salad days in Boston became the proving ground for the irrepressible fellowship of the USMC, which he would later come to embrace and embody - heart and soul.
Upon graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and became an artillery man, serving two tours in Vietnam. There, he more than earned the wisdom and toughness required to perform his job as a Drill Sergeant for the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. Having demonstrated incontrovertible service to his country, and having established his blood type as Semper Fi, Don was promoted to Master Gunnery Sergeant, fulfilling his dream as a career Marine.
While at Quantico, upon request of any Drill Sergeant putting recruits through their paces, Master Gunnery Sergeant Brennan relished every opportunity to demonstrate flawless pull-ups for young Marines while dressed to perfection in his Dress Blues. In his white gloves, he made it a point to complete at least three times the pull-ups than the recruits were being asked to complete... never breaking a sweat.
Don's next tour as NCOIC of the Marine Security Detachment in El Salvador enriched his life beyond measure. His love of the Salvadorian people and their culture burned bright in his heart until the last of his days. He felt enormous pride in the Marines under his command, and the friendships they forged blossomed into life-long connections. Don's investment in the continued success of his men, throughout their Marine Corp careers and into their civilian lives, was steadfast and rooted in brotherly love.
MGySgt Brennan personified the Marine Corps' 14 Leadership Traits (Bearing, Courage, Decisiveness, Dependability, Endurance, Enthusiasm, Initiative, Integrity, Judgment, Justice, Knowledge, Loyalty, Tact, and Unselfishness). His leadership was rewarded with the opportunity to return to Washington DC as the Chief Instructor of the Marine Security Guard Battalion, and in turn, to travel the world, overseeing training and security operations at Embassies across the globe.
After retiring from the Marines, Don founded Brennan's Heating and Air Conditioning in Woodbridge, Virginia. With Marine Corps vigor, he built a thriving local business the old-fashioned way....going door to door, mailbox to mailbox, armed with flyers, his young children in tow. For four decades, Don felt great pride that he was able to share his business success with his hard-working, professional team. Brennan's Heating and Air Conditioning continues to serve Northern Virginia communities with his son, Michael, at the helm.
In his later years, spent in South Carolina, Don worked to perfect his golf game... to the delight of pro-shops and golf equipment retailers all along the eastern seaboard. He maintained his lifelong passion for shooting, discovered the joys of travel - civilian-style, and never ever missed a chance to regale family and friends, old and brand spanking new, with his legendary stories. He touched the lives of everyone he encountered, meeting strangers where they were, with empathy, respect, kindness, and a smile ... and always acknowledging and honoring the potential in young people, helping them to see that potential themselves.
Don will forever be a cherished, beloved husband, friend, fellow Marine, father, stepfather, grandfather, grandpa, grumpy, and great grandpa.
His enduring optimism, generosity, and zest for life lives on in the love of his life, wife of 31 years, Pamela F. Brennan; and in their children - Cindy Persing, Michael Brennan (Tracy), Laurin Huse & Sonnet Coggins (Sam Amoroso); grandchildren - Matthew Catterton, Justin Brennan, Kimberly Barefoot (Corey), Nicholas Persing, Megan Persing, Max Amoroso & Arlo Amoroso; and great-grandchildren - Elizabeth Catterton & Michael Catterton.
Brennan family quadrupeds - Baker, Gigi, Pocket, Abigail, Callie, & Spike - will dearly miss their not-so-secret treats from the table.
Born to Herbert and Ruth (Watson) Brennan on November 26, 1940, Don spent his youth running amuck on the streets and ice hockey rinks of South Boston/Backbay. The camaraderie he shared with close-knit friends and teammates during his salad days in Boston became the proving ground for the irrepressible fellowship of the USMC, which he would later come to embrace and embody - heart and soul.
Upon graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and became an artillery man, serving two tours in Vietnam. There, he more than earned the wisdom and toughness required to perform his job as a Drill Sergeant for the Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. Having demonstrated incontrovertible service to his country, and having established his blood type as Semper Fi, Don was promoted to Master Gunnery Sergeant, fulfilling his dream as a career Marine.
While at Quantico, upon request of any Drill Sergeant putting recruits through their paces, Master Gunnery Sergeant Brennan relished every opportunity to demonstrate flawless pull-ups for young Marines while dressed to perfection in his Dress Blues. In his white gloves, he made it a point to complete at least three times the pull-ups than the recruits were being asked to complete... never breaking a sweat.
Don's next tour as NCOIC of the Marine Security Detachment in El Salvador enriched his life beyond measure. His love of the Salvadorian people and their culture burned bright in his heart until the last of his days. He felt enormous pride in the Marines under his command, and the friendships they forged blossomed into life-long connections. Don's investment in the continued success of his men, throughout their Marine Corp careers and into their civilian lives, was steadfast and rooted in brotherly love.
MGySgt Brennan personified the Marine Corps' 14 Leadership Traits (Bearing, Courage, Decisiveness, Dependability, Endurance, Enthusiasm, Initiative, Integrity, Judgment, Justice, Knowledge, Loyalty, Tact, and Unselfishness). His leadership was rewarded with the opportunity to return to Washington DC as the Chief Instructor of the Marine Security Guard Battalion, and in turn, to travel the world, overseeing training and security operations at Embassies across the globe.
After retiring from the Marines, Don founded Brennan's Heating and Air Conditioning in Woodbridge, Virginia. With Marine Corps vigor, he built a thriving local business the old-fashioned way....going door to door, mailbox to mailbox, armed with flyers, his young children in tow. For four decades, Don felt great pride that he was able to share his business success with his hard-working, professional team. Brennan's Heating and Air Conditioning continues to serve Northern Virginia communities with his son, Michael, at the helm.
In his later years, spent in South Carolina, Don worked to perfect his golf game... to the delight of pro-shops and golf equipment retailers all along the eastern seaboard. He maintained his lifelong passion for shooting, discovered the joys of travel - civilian-style, and never ever missed a chance to regale family and friends, old and brand spanking new, with his legendary stories. He touched the lives of everyone he encountered, meeting strangers where they were, with empathy, respect, kindness, and a smile ... and always acknowledging and honoring the potential in young people, helping them to see that potential themselves.
Don will forever be a cherished, beloved husband, friend, fellow Marine, father, stepfather, grandfather, grandpa, grumpy, and great grandpa.
His enduring optimism, generosity, and zest for life lives on in the love of his life, wife of 31 years, Pamela F. Brennan; and in their children - Cindy Persing, Michael Brennan (Tracy), Laurin Huse & Sonnet Coggins (Sam Amoroso); grandchildren - Matthew Catterton, Justin Brennan, Kimberly Barefoot (Corey), Nicholas Persing, Megan Persing, Max Amoroso & Arlo Amoroso; and great-grandchildren - Elizabeth Catterton & Michael Catterton.
Brennan family quadrupeds - Baker, Gigi, Pocket, Abigail, Callie, & Spike - will dearly miss their not-so-secret treats from the table.
Inscription
MGYSGT
US Marine Corps
Vietnam
Gravesite Details
Interred at Quantico National Cemetery on Friday, June 9, 2023.
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