MEDAL OF COURAGE Kevin McCann & Brett Harman began their wrestling careers with the Rosemont Cobras and Coach Don Morrissey in 1990. Both boys were State Qualifiers in the Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation State Tournament numerous times, won dozens of tournaments and hundreds of matches and traveled throughout the country participating in USA Wrestling events. Most noteworthy of these events, was the famous Cobra Classic at the Rosemont Horizon (now the Allstate Arena)that was one of the biggest tournaments in the world at the time. Fun and fundamentals was the word in those days with the IKWF and no one had more fun than Kevin and Brett and their teammates from the Cobras "” Lance and Joe Weber, Tommy Mietus and the McCabe brothers. Those were the days that formed the lifelong friendship, the enthusiasm and love of life that was unequaled, and a pattern of lifelong achievement and accomplishments for the boys. Hooked on the sport of wrestling and all that it offers, Brett and Kevin went to different high schools, eager and anxious for new adventures. Brett went to Maine South High School and wrestled for Craig Fallico and Hall of Fame coach Dennis McCann (Kevin's dad), and Kevin went to Notre Dame High School wrestling for Coach Augie Genovesi - another Hall of Fame Coach. Their list of accomplishments would fill a small phone book. Both were 4-year starters, 4-year lettermen and All Conference wrestlers - Brett 4 times in the Central Suburban League and Kevin a 3 time winner in the East Suburban Catholic Conference. Both young men were multiple team Captains and Most Valuable Wrestlers, Regional Champions, Sectional Champions and State Qualifiers. Brett set and held every wrestling record in Maine South history at the time, and earned All State honors as a senior. Kevin was undefeated as a senior (30-0) until a devastating shoulder injury kept him out of the State tournament. Kevin rehabilitated his shoulder and won the Italian National Freestyle Tournament representing Team USA 4 months later. Brett and Kevin traveled to Australia with Coach Genovesi, Jim Cartwright and Debbie Nason after their sophomore year in high school. Representing Team USA, both placed at the Australian National Tournament. Both Kevin and Brett were year round wrestlers, competing for Hall of Fame coach Morrie Geselter in the summer. Both boys qualified for the Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota 3 times each as Cadets and Juniors. Kevin was also an outstanding football player for Coach Mike Hennessey at Notre Dame, starting on varsity as a Junior and Senior on 2 State playoff teams. As a testimony to the positive effect both young men had at their schools, the wrestling room at Maine South is named after Brett Harman and the Naval Academy gives out a yearly wrestling award in his honor. At Notre Dame, the Kevin McCann Award is presented in both football and wrestling, and in 2006, Kevin was inducted into the Notre Dame Hall of Fame. Both Notre Dame and Maine South have established scholarships in their names. Thanks to Coaches Fallico and Genovesi, every year Maine South and Notre Dame compete in a Dual Meet named in Kevin and Brett's honor. It wasn't just what they did, but how they did it that set them apart - both competed with a fury on the field and mat, but were true gentlemen and leaders by example and attitude in athletics and honor students in the classroom. After high school, Brett earned an appointment to the United States Naval Academy and wrestled for the midshipmen and Coach Bruce Burnett. Kevin competed for Coach Willie Myers at the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater. Both young men had excellent college wrestling careers, winning multiple letters at the schools and balancing the demands of athletics and academics. After college, Brett chose to enter the Marine Corps and was scheduled to be a platoon leader in Iraq. Kevin entered the business world and was applying the principles learned in wrestling - hard work, determination, dedication - into a rewarding career. Both men, still always together with a lifelong friendship forged in steel. In September 2004, Kevin and friends from Chicago visited Brett in North Carolina. Brett was now a Marine lieutenant ready to leave for Iraq. They went to a college football game and stopped a drug-crazed drunken driver who was recklessly driving through the parking lot, endangering the life of everyone. The driver came back later with his brother and they lured Brett and Kevin into a trap. They shot Brett in cold blood, and when Kevin courageously went to defend him, they murdered Kevin. Brett and Kevin died valiantly defending others and each other. Brett and Kevin have left a legacy of honor, love and courage to the many, many people whose lives they touched. Their heart, sensitivity, toughness, warmth and love, are remembered daily. They will never be forgotten.