Sergeant Brandon McQuillen Fund
Donation protected
Brandon Lee McQuillen always gave more than he got.
He was born on July 21, 1983. Brandon’s early childhood was not filled with birthday parties and playdates. He was bounced from foster home to foster home until the age of 6, when he was placed with a kind family, the Mapes, who gave him the safety and stability that he needed. Brandon loved the Mapes. But he also longed for his birth mother, Patty, as any child does. Patty loved her son, but she was ill-equipped to take care of him and lost custody shortly after regaining it. At the age of 12, Brandon’s aunt and her husband, Dorie and Jeff Crossley, took him in with open arms. They and their children loved Brandon as one of their own. He adjusted to his new life quickly and well. The Crossleys had a new son and brother.
Despite the odds being stacked against him, Brandon graduated from Raytown South High School and fulfilled a lifelong dream of joining the Marines. He attained the rank of Sergeant and served during many combat missions in both Afghanistan and Iraq wars. He served as a Security Force Guard in Cuba and Spain. During his military service, Brandon received several decorations, medals, and badges and was a great mentor to many of his Marine Corps brothers. After eight years of decorated service, Brandon received an Honorable Discharge from the USMC on the 29th day of June 2014.
He got married and had a beautiful daughter, Annabell, who he loved more than anything. But the return to civilian life was hard. He was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He carried many ghosts from years of fighting for himself and for his country. Despite Brandon’s struggle, he tried to keep a positive outlook and encouraged his fellow Marines to keep going. He was a crutch for many.
But the grip of mental illness would not let him go. On Memorial Day, 2019, Brandon – like so many combat military personnel before him – lost his battle with mental health.
Brandon was funny. And kind. And proud. He worked hard and with dogged determination in all things. He was brave and honorable. He was a good father and a good Marine. He was a fierce defender of his family, friends, and country. He loved playing football. He loved beautiful music and playing the guitar. He had a crooked smile that lit up the room.
He was my brother. He always gave more than he got.
Please consider a donation to benefit Brandon’s young daughter, Annabell. Brandon never would have asked, but we know he would’ve appreciated your generosity in helping his little girl. Ten percent of funds raised will go to The Soldier’s Project, a nonprofit that provides psychological services to those who have who fought valiantly for us, but come home to another tough battle to fight.
Thank you for your generosity.
In his memory,
Missy (Crossley) Green
He was born on July 21, 1983. Brandon’s early childhood was not filled with birthday parties and playdates. He was bounced from foster home to foster home until the age of 6, when he was placed with a kind family, the Mapes, who gave him the safety and stability that he needed. Brandon loved the Mapes. But he also longed for his birth mother, Patty, as any child does. Patty loved her son, but she was ill-equipped to take care of him and lost custody shortly after regaining it. At the age of 12, Brandon’s aunt and her husband, Dorie and Jeff Crossley, took him in with open arms. They and their children loved Brandon as one of their own. He adjusted to his new life quickly and well. The Crossleys had a new son and brother.
Despite the odds being stacked against him, Brandon graduated from Raytown South High School and fulfilled a lifelong dream of joining the Marines. He attained the rank of Sergeant and served during many combat missions in both Afghanistan and Iraq wars. He served as a Security Force Guard in Cuba and Spain. During his military service, Brandon received several decorations, medals, and badges and was a great mentor to many of his Marine Corps brothers. After eight years of decorated service, Brandon received an Honorable Discharge from the USMC on the 29th day of June 2014.
He got married and had a beautiful daughter, Annabell, who he loved more than anything. But the return to civilian life was hard. He was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He carried many ghosts from years of fighting for himself and for his country. Despite Brandon’s struggle, he tried to keep a positive outlook and encouraged his fellow Marines to keep going. He was a crutch for many.
But the grip of mental illness would not let him go. On Memorial Day, 2019, Brandon – like so many combat military personnel before him – lost his battle with mental health.
Brandon was funny. And kind. And proud. He worked hard and with dogged determination in all things. He was brave and honorable. He was a good father and a good Marine. He was a fierce defender of his family, friends, and country. He loved playing football. He loved beautiful music and playing the guitar. He had a crooked smile that lit up the room.
He was my brother. He always gave more than he got.
Please consider a donation to benefit Brandon’s young daughter, Annabell. Brandon never would have asked, but we know he would’ve appreciated your generosity in helping his little girl. Ten percent of funds raised will go to The Soldier’s Project, a nonprofit that provides psychological services to those who have who fought valiantly for us, but come home to another tough battle to fight.
Thank you for your generosity.
In his memory,
Missy (Crossley) Green
Organizer and beneficiary
Melissa Green
Organizer
Parkville, MO
Blake Green
Beneficiary
