Norman Brookens

Norman J. Brookens, 88, of Fayetteville, PA, went to be with the Lord Monday morning, August 11, 2014 at his home surrounded by his family. Born July 18, 1926 in Fayetteville, he was a son of the late John and Phoebe McNew Brookens. Mr. Brookens served with the US Navy from 1942-1946 and with the US Army from 1946-1966, retiring at the rank of CWO 3. He received the following medals while serving his country honorably; Navy Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal Military Ribbon (Naval & Army service), Asiatic - Pacific Campaign Medal Military Ribbon (Naval service), World War II Victory Medal Military Ribbon (Naval & Army service), Army Commendation Medal Military Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal Military Ribbon (Army), National Defense Service Medal (Army), Army of Occupation Service Medal (Japan and Germany), Korean Service Medal Military Ribbon, United Nations Korea Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Marksmanship Qualification Badge, Scuba Divers Badge, Ruptured Duck Lapel Pin (Honorable Discharge), Award for Valor Plaque (Department of State) for exceptional courage and stamina while held as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam.

Following his military service he was employed with the Department of State, retiring in 1986. During his career with the State Department, Mr. Brookens was held as a Prisoner of War from 1968-1973. Following his retirement he authored the book “Civilian POW: Terror and Torture in South Vietnam”. He was very involved in his community, serving as President of the Scotland Community Association and as a member of the Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Company. He was active with Boy Scouts of America and enjoyed baseball and traveling, especially to the beach and to Hawaii. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time in the mountains. He was a member of Otterbein United Methodist Church in Fayetteville and was a life member of Burt J. Asper Post 46 American Legion, Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW, Hume-McNeil-Byers AMVETS Post 224, Richard L. Hershey Post 41 Veterans of Vietnam War, the National Rifle Association, and the Military Officer’s Association.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Hoover Brookens, whom he married August 6, 1976; four children, Linda Sites and husband Daryl “Ted” of Greencastle, Ken Brookens and wife Kim of Fayetteville, Robert Myers and wife Lisa of Fayetteville, and Norman J. Brookens, II and wife Jessie of Fayetteville; eleven grandchildren, Heather Sites Gantt, Kyle Myers, Chrissy Myers, Kevin Brookens, Kane Brookens, Austin Brookens, Holden Brookens, Miranda Melton, Danielle Rhone, Andrea Rhone, and Samantha Rhone; six great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jack Brookens and wife Edith and Garnet Brookens and wife Sharon; and four sisters, Joyce Dehart, Gladys Kniesly, Ruby Wenger, and Dixie Simpson. Aside from his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers and four sisters.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, August 14, 2014 in the Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, PA with his son, Pastor Ken Brookens officiating. Interment with military honors by members of the Charles Nitterhouse Post 1599 VFW Honor Guard will follow at Parklawns Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM Wednesday and Noon-1:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Company, 101 West Main Street, Fayetteville, PA 17222.