Brother of fallen Saskatchewan-born soldier proud of his service

Mark Hildebrand said learning that his brother had died was the last news he ever wanted to hear.

Mark’s 33-year-old brother, Joseph, had served two tours in Afghanistan with the Canadian Armed Forces before travelling to Ukraine to serve in June. Joseph was killed earlier this week in the wartorn country.

According to Mark, Joseph’s goal was to stand up for people facing oppression through his military work.

“I think it was on his mind for a while. He kind of knew that if he really spoke it that there would be a little bit of a pushback (from the family),” Mark said with a chuckle.

Mark noted his brother had extensive training and the mindset to be able to do good in situations like those facing the people in Ukraine right now.

That didn’t make it much easier for his family.

“You’re just hoping that he comes back some day,” Mark said.

Joseph died saving people from a war area, his brother said — after turning down three opportunities to protect his own life. Mark said his brother could have gone with the people they had rescued to camp and to safety.

“But Joseph knew there were other people out there,” Mark said. “He wanted to help people.”

Mark is incredibly proud of his brother, in life and in death. He knows how selfless Joseph was to put his life on the line again and again for people he would never know.

Joseph’s instinct was to help and protect humbly.

“He saved a lot of people while he was there,” Mark said.

Mark described his brother as the kind of person that others aspire to be — strong as an ox, someone who did what they said they would, and a best friend to those he loved.

“If he liked you, he was always in your corner,” Mark said. “You could always count on him.”

Joseph knew how to fix whatever problem he was confronted with and was smart and a natural-born leader, Mark said. To Mark, Joseph was someone to look up to.

“He had a commanding presence about him that whatever he said, he could make you want to follow him (and) want to learn from him,” Mark said.

Mark said the family learned of Joseph’s passing from some of the men who were with Joseph when he passed. There was immediate grief and Mark said the family is holding on as well as they can right now.

A GoFundMe has been started by one of Joseph’s friends to help with various expenses, and Mark said the family is close-knit and won’t let anyone get by without support.

Joseph’s body is expected to be returned to Saskatchewan, but with the area Joseph died in still an active combat zone, the plan is on hold until a day when that is feasible.

Mark shared the family has heard from friends of Joseph’s who served in Afghanistan and Ukraine and who offered to help with any necessary arrangements.

“(We’re) just super-proud of Joseph and what he did,” Mark said.