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Jed Boal ReportingDan and Art Laguna flew helicopters for a security company in Baghdad. Two weeks ago both were shot down. Dan Laguna of North Salt Lake survived. His brother was killed.
As Dan Laguna and his wife drove up this street to their home tonight, they saw their street lined with flags. Laguna buried his brother and other crew members this weekend. He choked up tonight as he thanked his neighbors.
Flags line the street and decorate the Laguna home. In the back yard neighbors honored the brothers with a flagpole and engraved stone that reads, "The Land of the Free, Because of the Brave", in memory of Art Laguna.
Dan Laguna, Helicopter Pilot: "The real heroes are back there still. I brought five of them home. The last is being buried today, those are the heroes."
Art Laguna went to Iraq recently to fly helicopters with his brother for a private security contractor. Two weeks ago both brothers responded to an attack in the Red Zone. Art and his crew of four were shot down and killed. Dan says all were his brothers.
Dan Laguna, Helicopter Pilot: "I know there's a lot of people who don't believe in what we do. I'm here to tell you, we do it because of you guys."
Art Laguna flew many dangerous missions including a rescue in California during floods a decade ago. The state gave Art Laguna a medal of honor. Dan says his brother died for freedom and sacrificed for the Iraqi people.
Dan Laguna: "Him dying has not changed my mind, it has not made me angry. I want to go back to do what I can do to help. Maybe they can have some freedom down the road."
Laguna says every day positive strides are made for the Iraqi people; he says he and his brother wanted to make a difference.
