U.S. Army Sgt. Brandon S. Hocking, 24, was killed in Iraq March 21, just 10 days before returning home after his second tour. He was the lead convoy gunner and his vehicle took a direct hit. He was the only one killed in that vehicle. He was a munitions specialist, working with a mobile repair unit.

On June 4 the West Seattle VFW Post 2713 at 3601 SW Alaska St. hosted "An Evening of Music to Honor U.S. Army Sgt. Brandon S. Hocking".

One month later, July 3, the Alki Arts Gallery, 2820 Alki Ave. SW, hosted an event to honor Sgt. Hocking, and the VFW Post event, with a display of photographs taken by professional photographer, Jayme Rose, 19, of the bands that performed there. The soldier's mother and her sister, his aunt, West Seattle-raised Christine Pitts Dansereau and Jodi Pitts Lascoumes, attended. Both are West Seattle High School grads, class of '81 & '80.

Christine's current husband, Calvin Dansereau, was also a WSHS class of '81 graduate. They live in Pomeroy, in southeastern Washington where he is a police officer.

"Brandon liked to hang out at the beach in West Seattle, and was really into guitar, so it was nice they paid tribute with the bands," said Christine at the gallery, referring to the VFW night of music.

Alki resident Richard Paddon helped organize both events. He too was a WSHS class of '81 grad.

"Being a parent myself of two sons, and my little one (Mitchell) had open heart surgery at three weeks old, the loss of Brandon rings close to home, but I haven't actually been there," said Paddon. His son is doing well, but will need more surgeries. "This country lost a soldier. That soldier was the son of someone we grew up and went to school with, Brandon Hocking. If you know somebody who lost someone who served, how can you not stop and reach out? It was an honor to be able to do something about it, to pay tribute to a classmate's son."

"I have been interested in photography for the past six years," said Rose, a soft-spoken, SeaTac resident. "I started out with film, and progresses into digital. Richard asked me to take pictures of the event. I have known him all my life. My mother and Richard's wife went to high school together at Cleveland."

"She came through big time, and has got a fine eye," said Paddon of Rose. "She was a little bit shy and I said, 'jut get in there like you owned the space' and she did, and keyed in on some things that were more than just portrait shots, went after hand shots, feet shots, light reflecting in their faces. She was at the right place at the right time."

Although Jayme Rose's photography is no longer on display there, you will have plenty to see and do when the Alki Arts Gallery will celebrate its one-year anniversary this Sunday, July 10, 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with artists demonstrations, live music and a gallery wide 10-percent off sale for the day. Dessert and champagne will be served.

Artists demonstrations start at 1:00pm and go until 6:00pm. Violinist Geoffrey Castle performs 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.