Major B. Diggs Brown, Jr., (soon-to-be) Former Citycouncilmember

Fort Collins Citycouncilmember Diggs Brown has been called back to active duty with the Colorado National Guard in November.  He's a Green Beret Major, and will be based out of Germany as part of the Special Operations Command, Africa.

Here's Rebecca Boyle's great story in Fort Collins Now.

Aside from concerns about missing council votes, Brown has to worry about his home, his pet bird and his business—he works as a financial adviser.

Brown, who served in Afghanistan in 2002 and wrote a book about his experiences, is headed back to action Oct. 26. He’ll be based in Germany, working with Special Operations Command Africa. It may seem like short notice, but Brown said he wasn’t surprised.

“I’m glad I’ve known about this coming down the stretch for about a month now, so I can sort of get prepared, especially mentally,” he said. “You’ve got to get your will updated, get all those powers of attorney out there, get your house in order, your business.”

He said friends will keep an eye on his home, and friends and family who come to town will be able to use it — as long as they clean up after themselves so it’s “not icky,” he said with a laugh.

But he’ll miss those friends and contacts; though e-mail and Internet phones allow him to stay in touch, it’s not the same.

“That’s probably what I am going to miss the most, is the great relationships I’ve made in Fort Collins, not being able to see them face to face ... I’m going to miss that,” he said. “When you think about it, there are things you take for granted. I can get up in the middle of the night, go to my refrigerator, get a Gatorade or a snack, and I can take a hot shower when I want, I am free to come and go as I please. All of that changes.”

He said he wanted to stress that two other Fort Collins residents in his National Guard unit are also being deployed, and his situation is only unique because of his role as an elected official.

“I’m flattered with the attention this is getting, but there are a lot of other guys and gals out there doing the same thing,” he said. “I’m sure it’s a story because I’m a council member, but I’m not alone in this.”

Some of Diggs' friends are selling bracelets (similar to those "Livestrong" bracelets) to help support Diggs' favorite City Council initiative, the construction of the Veterans Plaza at the new Spring Canyon Community Park in Fort Collins.  The bracelets are inscribed with: "Major B. Diggs Brown, Jr., Northern Colorado Hero" and the net proceeds will go to the park construction.

If you want a bracelet, send me an e-mail.  (They're $5).

Make a direct contribution to the park here.

Diggs' website is here.