Brandon Kitchens, a Fire supporter and Section 8 mainstay, died a week ago today playing soccer, after suffering a seizure. He was just 23, and had survived several tours of duty in Iraq, making his sudden death a terrible shock to the section.

As this Tribune article describes, he was as passionate as they come about the Fire.

Outside of work, Kitchens loved soccer, so much so that he got a tattoo of the Fire logo on his leg at a time it was unclear how long the team would last, said former president and general manager Peter J. Wilt, now chief executive officer of Milwaukee Professional Soccer. Kitchens was a visible presence in Section 8, the collection of rabid supporter subgroups attending Fire games. He was a "capo" - a sort of volunteer yell leader - who would help whip the crowd into a frenzy.

"If he would see someone with their arms crossed and not getting into it, he would go up and get in their face," Wilt said.


I did not know Brandon well myself, but many in the section did, and the tributes they left for him at the Section 8 messageboard speak volumes for what Section 8 has lost.

It is fitting that those tributes were left on a thread Brandon himself had started on the messageboard, entitled Stand and Deliver. In it he wrote the following words at the start of the season, demanding more of Section 8.

For those of you who know me, you know my passion for our team is strong, over the last four years i have watched from afar the peaks and valleys of both our squad and our section, last night i decided that sitting on my hands was no longer appropriate and it was time to issue a challenge to both the fans, and the team. On the eve of another MLS season, some of you, if not all are getting that feeling in the bottom of your stomach, for some of you, it is that excitement, that joy that another year of passion and friendship has arrived, that intrinsic "thing" you thrive for is back, the time is here to step up and give 110% to your squad, to live and die with them, ultimately it is a time to step out of your shell and sing at the top of your voice, drink until you're beyond drunk, and live at the edge. For others it's enjoying your youth, or maybe it's recapturing it, and then for some it's just going along for the ride. For the other side that feeling is a sinking feeling, will we drag the bottom of the league? Will 3 points be a laughable concept? Am I wasting yet another weekend on nostalgia? Let me be the first to tell you, we will not, you will not, and here is why. As Fire fans we have a responsibility, 110% every game, every minute, every day. If you identify yourself with this club, then ensure the good outweighs the bad. Challenge yourself to never quit, for how can you expect the squad to do the same? You do not sit in the club section, smiling and indifferent to the play on the field; you made a decision, a decision to be more. If you want to drink beers and sing songs on the weekend find a karaoke bar and rot in it, that is not what we are here for. We provide strength, motivation, and intimidation.

Finally, Ben Burton, current chairman of Section 8, explains what will be going on at Saturday's game to ensure the section does provide the appropriate "strength, motivation, and intimidation."

Hey everyone,

We're doing a "tifo" display on Saturday. It's kind of a nice combination of events. Blanco's first League game, Wanchope signs, the team starts playing well, possible return of Rolfe, and a good friend and one of our capos passes away.

So, "tifo" for the uncertain, is just a word used to describe the display we (and other fans) put on before the game or at half. Lots of color, flags, streamers, etc. So we're doing one this Saturday as well.

If you knew Brandon, or if you didn't, you can still help.

1) If you're coming to the game, we're looking for more streamers. Hell, more streamers than we've ever had. So, if 100 people each bring 10 streamers, we'll have a heck of a lot. Not enough, but a lot. Come in a few minutes early and drop them off in the end and we'll throw them for you or bring them to wherever you sit.

2) Flags. Section 8 has started selling City of Chicago flags on PVC poles ($10) because now ANYONE in ANY SECTION can bring in flags on poles. We'd love to see the stadium covered in flags. So, if you have a Fire Flag, or want a City of Chicago flag, we want to see a tradition of stadium covered in flags. Sure, they don't have to wave all game because I know some people actually complain about not seeing the game and all that, but during goal celebrations, player introductions, etc. they look nice and inspire the players.

3) Come in a bit early and, even if you don't sit in 117 or 118, stop by and join us for the pregame. The more people in the area the better. Go to your seat after if you don't feel like standing and cheering, but better yet stay for the game (or a half) and enjoy losing your voice.

Last but not least, if you can't do anything to help, I hope you can at least enjoy what we do. Sometimes the displays work, sometimes not so much. Hopefully this one will be a fitting tribute to the new direction our team seems to be taking. As Brandon once said, Stand and Deliver.