Veteran dies broke, friendless in van

Memorial Day arrives exactly a week late for Vietnam War veteran James Brodniak.

He died penniless, homeless and friendless last Monday - except for his black chow, Micah, that sat vigil beside his lifeless body. Brodniak suffered an apparent heart attack.

Sheriff's deputies thought the man they found dead in a van at Wal-Mart in Evergreen was a transient, but he was born and raised in Kalispell.

An acquaintance who asked not to be identified said Brodniak, 58, lived in a house, 1245 Sixth Ave. W., and spent most of his life there. He was one of four boys who grew up and graduated from area schools, including Flathead High School.

His dad worked for years at the hardware store in the KM Building, the source said.

Tragedy plagued the family. One brother committed suicide, another was killed, and the third cut off contact with his family decades ago. No one knows whether he is alive or dead.

The source said Brodniak was a Vietnam War veteran who "obviously suffered from post traumatic stress" disorder. But it never was diagnosed or treated.

Privacy laws prevent Veterans Affairs from releasing any details about his service.

No one who knew the man in recent years knows exactly when Brodniak served. The source learned from Brodniak only that he was a Vietnam veteran.

His life began with promise when he graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in drama. The university lists Brodniak as a lost alumnus from the class of 1978.

"Jim was smart," the source said. "He wrote some things in drama."

He spoke of working with a community college theater program earlier in his life.

A reclusive person, Brodniak exhibited typical symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder, which took him down a troubled path. He told the source stories of his years serving a prison sentence.

Even after his release, Brodniak continued the antisocial behavior that kept him in conflict with the public and law enforcement. He abused alcohol and drugs, the source said, and was addicted to gambling.

At the time of his death, he was scheduled for a hearing on a bench warrant.

For a number of years, Brodniak stayed with his elderly mother in his childhood home. After selling the house, he and his mother continued to rent the home for a small fee.

For quite awhile, the two lived in the home with the gas shut off, no hot water and only a few electric heaters for warmth.

His mother, in her 90s and suffering from dementia, moved into an area nursing home, leaving the veteran with little to no human contact. Eventually, Brodniak went through all of his money and moved into his van about a year ago.

According to the source, he cooked his meals on a small camping stove, which he set up in Woodland Park. He also sought seclusion at Lone Pine State Park, sometimes causing trouble with others there.

His declining health caused an acquaintance to take him to the veterans clinic and he ended up in the hospital. The episode ended up with Brodniak receiving a small disability check.

The source said that Brodniak's limbs swelled to the size of an elephant's. At times he could barely walk, yet somehow he managed to get by and take care of his dog.

"He was difficult be around," the source said.

Linda Erickson at Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry said Brodniak had come in at least once for clothing or blankets. She said his sad end was not an isolated incident for victims of post traumatic stress disorder.

She said they serve veterans who seclude themselves in the woods. They allow one person to deliver a food box to them.

More than one veteran has died after an isolated existence.

"Les Miller passed away early last summer," she said. "They found him in his tent."

Erickson didn't know anything about Brodniak's service to his country.

Because today is Memorial Day, the source wanted the community to know that Brodniak was not a transient but a native son who served his country.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.