Family of Fallen Guardsman Speaks Out

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — “I would have done anything for him not to go over there, but he told me he was going to be fine, he told me he was gonna come back,” says Brianna Meador, Daughter of Spc. John Meador, II. At times understanding her Dad’s job is tough for thirteen years old Brianna Meador. “He wanted to do his duty, he wanted to serve,” says Brianna. It was a job, he died for. “He was my Daddy and I will never forget him,” says Brianna. Spc. John Meador was one of three South Carolina Guardsmen killed by a suicide bomber last week in Afghanistan. “It’s not normal to have to go through life without a father,” says Brianna. Spc. Meador Leaves behind two other daughters, 15 year old Olivia and Elaina who’s just 6 months old. “He died for everybody in this country and you shouldn’t take life for granted,” says Olivia Frost, Daughter of Spc. John Meador, II. He also leaves with a family who adored him including his two brothers. “He was a brother, he was a father, he was a son, he was a soldier, he was a friend,” says Michael Meador, Brother of Spc. John Meador, II. To them, his love for the uniform was like no other. “He wasn’t happy if he wasn’t wearing the uniform and serving and doing his part,” says James Meador, Brother of Spc. John Meador, II. Monday, they shared tears, hugs and memories of a man that meant so much. Crandall Sims reporting, “In the very yard that Spc. John Meador grew up playing in with his brothers now stands an American Flag at half staff, it was put up just today by his brothers, to them the flag stands for freedom and the pride in those who died defending that freedom.” “There should be a flagpole in every yard, we are all Americans here and these guys are dying for them to have that right,” says Michael Meador. While their hearts are breaking, they are awaiting the day Meador’s body returns to the home he loved. “I’m looking forward to my brother coming home, I can’t wait to see him. It’s been too long, it’s been too long,” says Michael Meador. For Brianna, it’s the promise her Dad made her so many months ago. “He’s a soldier who’s coming home and he did what he was supposed to , he told me, he promised me he was going to come home and that’s what he did,” says Brianna.