The Most Important Thing to Brett
Brett gave his life serving his country. Above anything else, he would have wanted you to know about someone, who like him, gave his life in service of others. That man was Jesus Christ. Do you know Him?
6 years and counting...
If you have wound up at this site, you knew Brett, knew of Brett or have probably lost someone yourself. I hope you are able to take today to remember his life. Brett lived to a life full of passion for people and a desire to know God and to share Him with others. Brett was an outgoing man, an adored son, a great brother, a faithful friend, and a loving fiance. The way he lived his life is what makes us miss him so much in his death. I hope I can live that way as well. Today, however, I hope you are able to honor Brett's and others sacrifices by honoring those who He left behind. Brett knew Jesus as his Savior and is with Him now, but those he loved so well are still here. We all long for the day that we can see him in Heaven again and that day won't come soon enough. Would you take some time today to honor the Hershey family? Or write Liz a note or email? Or send one of Brett's friends a message? Could you take a few minutes to sign the guestbook?
I know I am thankful for my relationship with Brett and wouldn't want another Memorial Day to pass without letting others know how thankful I am - so thank you Roger and Roxanne for raising such a great Godly man who became my dearest friend. Thank you Nate, Niki and Abby for sharing your brother with me. Thanks Liz for being a great friend to me and for letting me be a part of your and Brett's relationship. Thanks Dave Kleinknecht for letting me in on the inside jokes with you guys and for continuing to grieve with me over the loss of our friend. I hope this Memorial Day brings you joy as you remember what a great guy Brett has been in your lives.
5 years today - 3.26.2010
It's hard to comprehend how time can move simultaneously slow and fast at the same time, but that is how it seems since Brett went to be with Jesus. We all still miss his smile and the life he would bring to every situation. It only takes watching a video or looking through photos to take you back to the great memories that you had with him.
No matter how you ended up here at RememberHersh, whether you knew Brett or not, would you please take a few minutes and pray for a few people? Abby, Brett's younger sister, is getting married soon and I know Brett's absence will be noticed (he would have been sweating up a storm on the dance floor). Nikki, Brett's older sister, has been having a lot of back problems and isn't as able to be the mother to Hudson Brett and wife to Craig she wants to be due to the pain. Roger and Roxanne, Papa and Mama Hersh, are still in Florida pouring into college students and Campus Crusade staff (which can be fairly draining). Liz, the love of Brett's life, is living downtown in Indy and working for a marketing firm. Nate, Brett's older brother, and his wife Megan are living downtown in Indy and both are enjoying their jobs. Pray that people will rally around each of them and be a listening ear, pray for them and just plain love on them during this time. For his friends and family, just pray that we are able to laugh, grieve and remember Brett for the great guy he was while we look forward to seeing him in Heaven.
If you are in the Indy area, stop by Lucas Oil Stadium and look for Brett's Memorial brick located in the "field goal" section of bricks by the front entrance. Say a prayer for his family and friends and think about what you can do to leave a legacy that really matters like Brett did. Also, take some time and write something to the Hershey's, Liz or Brett's friends by clicking on "Sign Guestbook" over to the left.
3 Years without Brett in our lives
3.26.08 - One thing that has always impressed me as I have remembered good times with Brett is how he just brought life into the ordinary. Often people say you should "live life to the fullest" and we may think that means doing something extraordinary or checking off every box on our own bucket list, but I don't think that is the case. It means something far more simple and something that I think is far more rewarding; it means just living each moment you have to the fullest. I don't know if Brett would have put it that way, but that is what I see in him. That is why his loss seems so much more of a tragedy for us still here because he brought us so much joy by just living his life.
It almost seems crazy to say that it has been three years today since Brett went home to be with the Lord. Most times I remember Brett and just have to smile while I tell people about the things we did, some sort of shenanigans we pulled or just what a spark of life he was in almost any situation. I have to stop myself often times from dwelling on what it would be like if he were still here. I know it would be better for me, better for his family and friends, and better for you - whoever you might be.
Today I wanted to post just a glimpse of him just having fun while he was over in Afghanistan. The video is of him and hutton singing along to "Let It Burn" while watching the Afghanistan army do marching and ceremonial training.
Marking 2 years of being without Hersh
3.26.07 - This March 26th marks 2 years after Brett's Toyota 4runner went over a landmine that killed him and the 3 other soldiers in the truck. Part of me feels as though it happened only a few days ago, while other parts of me feel as though it has been so long since I have been able to see my friend. I am sure you are experiencing some of that as well.
I think about Brett often in many different circumstances. A few days ago I was on a plane coming back home from Freiburg, Germany, where Brett, Liz, some good friends and I had been 4 years earlier as we heard the news of the coming war, and I was reflecting back on these past years. It was hard to really enjoy Germany without comparing how it was with Hersh there. I remain convinced that things would be more fun for me if Hersh was still here to laugh with, challenge me in my faith, and minister alongside me. I am also convinced that he is enjoying Heaven and is wanting so badly for you and I to join him there.
While on the plane, I was watching the movie "The Guardian." The movie is about Coast Guard rescue dive swimmers who go out into the worst weather to save people who will die unless the divers are able to reach them. In particular, the story follows two men, one seasoned veteran (Ben Randall) and one young and talented trainee swimmer (Jake Fischer). The plot reminded me a lot of Hersh because, like Ben Randall, Hersh continued to give of himself and ultimately gave his life for the safety of others. In the movie there are several times where I was forced to think about how Brett lived his life in a way that he strived to honor God in his friendship with me, his relationships to the men in his fraternity, and his relationships with others. In the movie Jake asks Ben, "when you can't save em all, how do you choose who lives?" Ben responds, "I take the first one I come to, or the weakest one in the group, and I swim as fast and as hard as I can for as long as I can." Within those statements I am reminded of how Brett wanted to do the same thing, work at his best while trusting in the Lord to see those around him come to know a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
I was challenged by another thing Ben said to Jake earlier in the movie. Ben had pushed Jake hard while trying to figure out why he wanted to be a dive swimmer. He learned that the reason Jake had a tattoo of initials on his arm was because they were the initials of his friends who died in a car accident. When Jake asked Ben why he pushed him so hard Ben told him, "I see someone who could get there when no one else could. You really wanna honor the initials on your arm? Then honor your gift." I was challenged that as I think about honoring Brett that I should think more about God and the gift that he has freely given me in the death of His son. To honor that gift is to share it with others.
I hope you take some time to thank God for the gifts He has given you [family, friends, health, wealth, etc.] but please also take some time to pray for those who are still grieving the loss of a great and Godly man. Pray for the Hershey family, for Liz and for Brett's close friends. And be sure to tell some great stories about Hersh to remember him for the man he was!
Remembering a son, a fiance and a close friend a year after Brett's death
It is incredibly hard to believe that it has been over a year, March 26th, that God welcomed Brett to his eternal home. The Hershey family, Liz, a couple Daves and some other close friends spent the 26th commemorating the loss of an irreplaceable man. A lot of time was spent watching old videos and talking about Brett and remembering the times that we all were blessed to share with him. It was almost crippling for us to stand in front of his grave dealing with the reality that laid before us.
We spent some time in the Bible going over 1 Peter 1 and the story of Job talking about how our faith must be of such great value that we would not be required to give up a greater thing for a lesser thing. It does sometimes feel like God is making us give up Brett for something not as valueable.
All of us realize that Brett cannot come back as much as we want him to, but think about if he could for just a couple minutes - what message would he share with us? I believe with all my heart he would share the message listed below.
Brett and Liz Keller's Wedding Date
November 5th, marked the set wedding date of Brett and Liz. Brett had planned on 'formally' proposing once he got back to the states. Due to time, he and Liz had already started planning the wedding. Please take the next few moments to pray for Liz, for the Hershey family, and for close friends and family during this time of mourning again the immeasureable loss of a great man. Thank God that through a relationship with Jesus we will see Brett again.
Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
"Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)
Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' " And he added, "These are the true words of God."
- Revelation 19:6-9
Brett Hershey Memorial Fund
It is the desire of the Hershey family that any gifts would be donatted to further Christ’s kingdom on earth, as was Brett’s passion. A memorial fund has been set up in Brett’s honor to finance projects/ministries that were meaningful to Brett. To contribute to this fund, send checks made out to Campus Crusade for Christ, with “Brett Hershey Memorial Fund” written on the memo or an attached note to:
Campus Crusade for Christ
Brett Hershey Memorial Fund
8383 Craig Street, Suite 200
Indianapolis, IN 46250
CCC Staff account transfers may be made by emailing:
eric.fleshood@uscm.org.
Prayer Requests
Brett's parents, Roger and Roxanne, his siblings, Nate, Niki and Abby, and his fiancée, Liz have requested the following prayers:
1. Pray that God would give them the grace to bear the pain, which is immense.
2. Pray that people would come to faith through Brett's death.
3. Pray for Brett's fraternity brothers, in particular, that as the news of Brett's death wripples through the house and the entire greek system that their lives would be impacted positively through knowing Brett.
4. Finally, pray that the enemy would not gain any leverage in this to cause them to doubt the goodness of God and that they would continue to trust Him.
If any of you would like to send a note or a card to Roger and Roxanne, their home address is:
Roger and Roxanne Hershey
330 Waring Avenue
State College, PA 16801