Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series of letters and stories about Maryland soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

They call her “Ma,” and nothing could make Mary Jane Craig happier. It doesn’t take away the pain of losing her own son, Cpl. Brandon M. Craig, 25, of Earleville, to the war in Iraq, but it makes the grieving less lonely. Knowing she and her family have the love and devotion of her son’s two best friends “is an honor.” Here is what Mary Jane had to say about Spc. Howard Redmond, 23, Pfc. Jed Glover, 34, and her own son, Brandon:

When the three boys were together, they could not be separated. Brandon always called them “his boys.” They truly loved, admired and respected each other. Each of them could look you in the eye and tell you that they would take a bullet for the other two. And by God, they meant it. Both Jed and Howard were at Brandon’s side through the whole thing, and they escorted his body to Kuwait and then back home to us.

Both of these boys have seen things beyond our imagination. They have grown up before their time. They are both suffering terribly at the loss of Brandon, each in his own way. One will talk about him, one will not. But I have never, ever seen such respect and love between two men — or two people — in my life. They trust each other with their lives.

This story continues below
Advertisement

I am so proud of them. My son truly died a hero, but I will tell you that these two boys are heroes as well. They are two very special young men who will be in our lives forever. My son Ryan has a 9-month-old boy, and Brandon was to be Blayke’s godfather. Since that cannot be, Ryan asked Howie and Jed to stand in and be Blayke’s godfathers. They did, and they are.

What an honor it is for us to be blessed with such wonderful young men in our lives. And it’s all because of my son.