Posts Tagged ‘brother

08
Sep
24

Thank you

By Bucktown Leave a Comment
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I have a dozen blogs in my head right now, but this one is way overdue. I grew up in rural Iowa, driving around on gravel roads, drinking beer on random bridges, and raising hell anyway I could without fear of punishments. I somehow understood the razor edge and spent a lot of time on it loving the adrenaline that came with being a bad boy without actually being a bad human. I always worked, never stole anything from anyone, and simply liked drinking Busch lights a long time before I was 21. This habit drew me a lot of attention from Johnny Law and let me tell you (Trump voice), I got a lot of attention from this guy, like way more than anyone else….

I hated cops. They took my beer away. I paid for that I would say. Jerks. I’d yell “We are just trying to have some fun, we aren’t hurting anyone, go solve a crime you not nice guys.” Ha. I’m sure you can think of the words that I actually would use. I won’t give the actual number possessions under the legal age I had while living in Iowa, but I will say it was more than 5 and less than 2,003. I’m over 21 now, just barely.., so I don’t have to worry about the police taking my beer away anymore.

Today is a thank you. A long overdue thank you. I’m thanking my former enemy. The Tama County (Iowa) Sheriffs department. For those of you that may not know a friend of mine, Ryan Cooper, was murdered in Traer, Iowa on June 18th, 2021. It was vicious, it was evil, it was the most cold blooded act I’ve ever seen in life, and it took over 2 years for an arrest to be made. His wife and her lover are now in a cage awaiting trial and will be found guilty of this horrid, pathetic, and cowardly act. Why would you thank them if it took over two years Bucky?? I’m going to tell you right now.

I was at the funeral. It was incredibly hard. I saw friends I haven’t seen in 20 years, we gave the awkward smile of hello, good to see you, but no joyous moment because the reason we were together still hadn’t set it yet. I saw Dennis Kucera the Sheriff of Tama County. He didn’t smile at all. He was in uniform. He was working. This is a small town. We all know each other and have history. His son and the Ryan were very close friends and I can’t imagine the strength it took to stand there on that day. I can’t imagine the drive to work everyday passing friends and neighbors who keep asking the same question “Why can’t you make an arrest??” I can’t imagine passing the house it happened in and then passing the house the murderer was now living in with her children on the way to work every single day.

Dennis had to keep it professional. He couldn’t explain all the work going on, all the red tape, all the waiting for transcripts and text messages, and how they had to wait to make sure the case was air tight to hopefully keep the guilty in prison forever. Many of us wondered who did it and came to the same conclusion over and over. There simply wasn’t anyone else it could be, but yet it took SO LONG to get an arrest. It was frustrating for us, but I can’t imagine being the man responsible for catching the killer of the man who was in his son’s wedding.

I don’t mention people by name in my blog often, but today is special. I want to thank Dennis Kucera and the Tama County Sheriff department for not giving up, for keeping it professional, and for arresting the monsters that stole our brother. #BuschLightBrotherhood

The trial will come, they will be found guilty, and then spend the rest of their lives in prison. No joy from any of it. A senseless crime that stole a loving father from his children and will take their mother away as well. They are the ultimate victims and my heart breaks for them. I ask that everyone remembers Ryan how he was in life and not the evil way he was taken from us. His smile, his eagerness to help a friend, and the sound of him cracking open that cold Busch Light after working all day is how I choose to remember my friend.

Thank you Tama County.

FknBucky

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19
Dec
22

Never Forgotten

By Bucktown 2 Comments
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Good Morning friends. I have had something on my mind for months and have thought about what to say over and over again. It is impossible. There are no right words to write. They haven’t been invented yet and never will be. Tragedy, sad, unfair, and all the others you want to throw around are crap. Juvenile worthless letters together that mean nothing. Words are the first level and sometimes useful. Action is the only language I truly respect. You can tell me how smart and great you are, but I have 44 years of reading the way people talk without words and I’m pretty darn good at it.

Lets get to it. My friend Ryan Cooper. I think about him every single day. I wish I could take his place. He was far too kind and good to have someone steal the most precious thing in the world from him. His life. His dreams. His children. His legacy. Taken like a common thief steals a flipping candy bar. I have to be careful because of the anger it brings out of me. A year and a half later the anger combines with sadness that no one has been brought to justice for this outrageous act. They might not ever pay for this in this lifetime, but I believe we have to answer for our actions in another world someday. There is no explaining this. It is pure evil and I take comfort knowing someone sees the devil every time they close their eyes. He will come for you. I promise.

Some debts never go away. They just keep growing taking more and more from the person responsible for paying it. You don’t escape punishment for a crime like this. Prison is probably too easy. I hope you suffer every moment of every day in your miserable crap life that will forever be tarnished by this heinous act you committed on someone so kind and special. You murdered an angel you POS. That will never be forgotten or forgiven. You will experience Hell on Earth and when you finally die, you will learn what the real Hell is like. I might join you just so I can witness the horror you experience for eternity.

I started writing this at 4 AM because I can’t sleep. I think about this a lot. I have written over ten blogs on this horrible topic, but never finish them. The words simply fail my feelings and I stop. Not this time. He deserves better from me. He deserves better from all of you. He deserves better from law enforcement. I mean every word of this blog. I know there are a lot of upset people that miss him dearly. My heart breaks for his children that were robbed of a father, a mentor, a friend, and I want to remind the world that the Busch Light Brotherhood has not forgotten. I used that term to describe the bond the people from small town Iowa create growing up together. It is special and the only way to join is to earn it.

Our lives are entangled for life. Our Grandparents knew each other. Our Parents grew up creating this bond between them. Now it is 2022 and we carry this torch while teaching our children to respect each other. They watch us to learn how to create their bonds that will stay with them for life. It has a very long term effect when children lose a parent, mentor, and protector. I can not even to begin to understand the pain caused by this weak pathetic POS. I made a choice I would not swear in my blogs moving forward, but if there was ever a time for some choice words, this would be it.

Please make sure everyone you know remembers his name.

I know many of you that read my words also knew and loved Ryan. I know you will not forget. He deserves better than my mediocre words. I wish I could do more. This Holiday Season should not be a sad one though. Ryan was one of the kindest humans I have ever known. I believe he would want all of us to smile, drink a few Busch Lights, and remember him as he was. I remind myself to not let my memories of him center around the tragic and evil way he was stolen from us.

Hug your loved ones just a little bit longer. Take time to smile and enjoy the company this time of year.

Love Who You Are Today, Tomorrow is Not Guaranteed.

FknBucky

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04
Jun
22

Honor Them Everyday

By Bucktown 1 Comment
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I am a bit late posting. Still a great point for you to think about.

Memorial Day. An important one. All days are a blessing, but on this day we as Americans honor the bravest people we will never see or meet. The men that stormed the beach in Normandy is only one example of the incredible sacrifice humans are capable of. I can’t imagine at 18 years old being told to run towards a wall of bullets. Have you ever thought about that?? I’m guessing no. You’re too busy calling strangers racist because they have different opinions than you. Do the world a favor and shelf that BS for today. I think about the kids that gave everything 90 years ago so you can stand on your pedestal and say America sucks. That being said these kids didn’t die for you to blindly follow the other side either.

No wall of bullets to charge today Bucky. How can we make a difference?? Glad you asked. Make your community better. Be a good neighbor, friend, Parent, Spouse, son, brother, daughter that used to be a son, or whatever you want. You can try to be 2nd best Uncle ever, but the top spot is all mine. Just be good to others. Not for recognition, but for the simple fact it is the right thing to do. We can all make a difference. Imagine what your life would be like if everyone on your block cared more about others than they do for themselves.

I have a point that I’m working towards here. Just trying to give you a moment to think about the military people and their families. Family. That is an awesome word. I’ve been blessed with a very big family that is amazing. It is far from perfect, but at the end of the day we are all there for each other. I don’t have children, but I spend as much time as I can with my nieces and nephews. I know a lot of people say they don’t know how to talk with kids. It is easy. Just pay attention to them. That is what we all want in life. To feel important, wanted (think kids, to be wanted as in join in the game), to feel appreciated (again kids – nice pass or catch), and all the rest. Be kind to your kids. They are the ones that will pick your nursing home.

I was playing frisbee with Annie in the park we go to daily for that purpose. We spent about an hour and half today. Lots of rest and water breaks. Right about an hour into it I see a couple dressed up as super heroes pushing their young kids in little plastic cars. Annabel was happy to show off her frisbee skills which are flipping awesome as this family walked by. I asked what was up?? I double checked before yelling out that today is not Halloween. In case you’re not sure either – it is not Halloween today. After I yelled ”Where you going??” I got the best reply. ”To save the world!!” I laughed and told them they made my day.

This parental unit took time to put the cape on, the mask on, and made sure the parent-mobile (like the batmobile, but not) had a full tank. I find this to be awesome. This is what I mean by change the world. Those kids don’t care who the President is, they just want some attention. We make the world better one super hero costume at a time. Ready for the tie in??? We honor the men and women that gave their lives for our freedom, by becoming the best version of us that we can possibly be. You can’t thank a deceased Veteran for their service. We can keep their memory alive by being great people and teaching our kids how to be great people.

It isn’t enough to throw some meat on the BBQ and chug Busch Lights for the day. We need to honor those every single day and not just some weekend to kick off summer. Become an awesome person that makes a difference in the world. Take care of your kids. Teach them they can do anything because they are blessed to have been born in the greatest country in the history of the world. Be a great friend, a great son or daughter, be a great brother or sister so that you send out great vibes every single day. I try to do amazing things for people, but I fall short many times each day, week, year, or decade.

If you never come up short that just means your goals or dreams aren’t big enough. Think about what your philosophy for life is. If I came up and asked you ”What do you want to accomplish in this life??” Do you have an answer?? I think about those that gave everything so that I can be here in America doing whatever I want. I’m free to read any books, educate myself, go where I want, vote for who I want, advocate for things that I want or things I believe would make the world better.

I know I’m a couple days late on publishing this one, but that also makes my bigger point. You don’t get to change your profile pic that says thank you Veterans for a weekend and then tuck that away until next year. Join me in honoring their memory every day by becoming the best you.

FknBucky

Thanks for reading and please follow and like my blogs. Comments are great as well as it helps promote the blog. I have 99 followers. Some lucky guy/gal will get to be number 100. I have Bucky shirts (S-XL). Your selfless act today could be subscribing to my blog, share it on your social media, and leave a comment.

03
Dec
21

Tragedy and Smiles

By Bucktown Leave a Comment
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I want to share a story with you today. A very important one that I hope will open your eyes, your heart, and help motivate you to count your blessings instead of constantly wishing for more. There is a club that no one wants to join. There is no name for it, it has no leader, and it is guaranteed that all members wish they could unjoin. It is a club of tragedy. Accidents that change the body is the cost of membership. I became a member April 1st, 2002 and have been dealing with it every single day since. This isn’t my story though.

I volunteer because I am able to help and I know that. I offer my everything to the people I talk with at the rehab hospital. I will answer any questions no matter how personal, help with any equipment they may need or want to know about, and I’m happy to talk with family members that want to learn/understand how to best help the loved one that is going thru this physical nightmare. I’ve probably talked with at least few hundred confused/scared people over the years and I’m very proud of that.

Travis and Staci Hoyle gave me permission to use their real names in this blog. Travis was injured a couple months ago and is currently using a wheelchair. I want to express one thing here very strongly. It isn’t your business how it happened. Don’t ask. Ever. It is not okay. Don’t say I’m one of those people that just blurt it out. Travis will tell you if he wants to. Instead do something easy. Talk to him like you would without the chair. He is the same person today as he was 6 months ago. Bust his balls, call him ugly, give him a hard time about driving a Nissan, or whatever else you normally do.

The Hoyle’s have a tough road ahead. It isn’t impossible, but it is hard and they will need that 4 wheel drive of his F150, (it is actually a 2004 Nissan 4×4 Supercharged) to get thru it. “Travis made sure I corrected that.” I have no doubts that they will. This is a strong family from what I have seen. Leave your pity at home. Nobody needs that crap. Bring your happiness, smiles, never give up attitude, and instead of asking for details on what happened say ”I know you got this and I’m here if you need anything.”

I see strength, fear, and determination in Staci and Travis’s eyes. It is okay to have fear because everything is new and we fear what we don’t know. The strength they have has nothing to do with lifting weights. True strength is in a persons mind, it is strong to accept reality, it is strong to smile first thing in the morning and say I can do this, it is strong to remember you’re not the only one going thru this, and most importantly it is strong to acknowledge other people are hurting as well. Pity parties are stupid and worthless so have a strength party. Challenge everyone around you to use the strength God gave them to overcome this obstacle. Once again I will say I have no doubt they will overcome this, but friends and family have a HUGE role to play to make that happen.

Unfortunately bad things happen to great people all the time. It is unfair and makes me want to scream at nothing sometimes. 20 years of membership and yes sometimes I still have moments of extreme weakness and anger. The key is to not live there. Accept the emotions, work thru them naturally, and get back to living your best life. Avoid the ”what if” hole because it simply leads to depression, anger, and regrets. What if I didn’t go, what if I didn’t stop for coffee, what if I didn’t date her, what if what if, and more what if. That is pointless because no matter how much you torture yourself it will not ever change the outcome.

You don’t have to be Travis and Staci to use the advice above. Everyone has hardships in life, hardship plays no favorites, and facing it head on is the right course of action. There is a benefit for Travis on Sunday. I’m told the 300 available tickets sold out very quickly. Money is always welcome and helpful, but kind words and genuine caring is fuel for the fighting spirit alive inside of Travis and Staci. This is not an easy road, but once again it is not impossible. The only thing different is Travis got a lot shorter and won’t be running up any stairs for a while.

Remember as this battle goes on that smiles and laughter are okay. In fact they are a must. Focus on the things that make you smile. Watching your kids succeed at anything. Holding your partner in front of a fireplace on a rainy night. Laughing with your friends while telling old stories. One of my best friends growing up and I would always yell when Welcome Home (Sanitarium) by Metallica came on. It is a random thing, but after my accident while having a tough moment in life that song come over the radio. I was instantly transported back in time and smiled gratefully that I was still alive to enjoy that memory. It is okay to be happy while dealing with tragedy. To this day every time I hear this song, I’m instantly 19 years old again, yelling at the radio with my friends while drinking a Busch Light.

It is easy to find reasons to be unhappy, mean, and ungrateful. True strength is when you put all those aside and find one reason to smile. You only need one. Kids, wife, family, friends, pets, food in your stomach, warm place to sleep, and so on. You can choose to be happy in horrible situations. In life when we are forced into situations beyond our control it is important to concentrate on the one thing we always have control of. Your Attitude. It is easy to smile at the end of the trip, but more important to keep that smile and positive attitude going during the journey no matter how long it may be.

I hope everyone who reads this will share it. You never know who needs to hear the message above. If you can donate money please do and then share this message. If you can’t send money I only ask you share this message so others will see it and be able to help.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/257mk-help-travis-hoylespinal-cord-injury?member=14697887&utm_campaign=contacts-v2-invite-to-donate&utm_medium=sms&utm_source=twilio

Count your blessings. Be grateful for the people in your life. Truly grateful for them.

FknBucky

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We still need Justice for Ryan Cooper. Please come forward if you have any information. As Russell Crowe said in the Gladiator “We will have our vengeance, in this lifetime or the next.”

11
Nov
21

Going to make a Phone Call

By Bucktown Leave a Comment
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Justice for Ryan Cooper. I think about it every single day. I don’t understand with all the tools law enforcement has why don’t we have someone in custody for this horrible crime. You are missed and loved Ryan. Busch Light Brotherhood (includes the ladies) will never forget you and never stop looking for who is responsible.

It is Veterans Day. What does that mean to you?? Do you think about it?? I’m willing a bunch of people don’t give it a thought. Not those that read my blog because you are patriots and I appreciate every one of you. Keep reading, keep helping others EVERY DAY, and most of all keep making yourself better. Listen to Jim Rohn. I’ve sent his seminar to over 20 people to help them thru hard times.

We are free in this country. I do believe that is an enormous responsibility to not piss it away. In name of ”good” there are individuals willing to trade a little freedom for the easy road. Not me. I will overcome any obstacle and have proven that to myself more times than I can count. You can walk up to a military person and say ”Thank you for your service” and feel good about yourself the rest of the day. Words are crap. Lots of people say lots of things. You want to honor the men and women of the military?? Use your freedom for more than standing on a street corner holding a sign that says ”Poor Me, Life is hard”.

I believe the book ”Lone Survivor” should be mandatory reading for all high school kids. It is the only book I had to put down because I was crying to hard to read. I still remember the moment. I was living at La Jolla Palms in San Diego area, I bawled like hungry baby as I read those words, and relived the battle with author Marcus Luttrell. The bravery and sacrifice these warriors make without question is impossible to repay. Want to thank a Veteran?? Pick up a book. Read about the things these men and women go thru on the battlefield. Work at becoming a better human every single day of your life. You are free to educate yourself in this awesome country.

The four frogmen that went out to find a really bad guy, but 3 goat herders came up on top of them blowing their cover. They were faced with an impossible situation. Kill the herders so they would not be able to alert the massive amount of Taliban fighters very close by. They knew if they killed these unarmed goat herders they would most likely face a court martial. Simply tying them up could cause them to die and then a herd of goats would just be wandering around. The last choice of let them go and get ready for a very bad fight. This is what they did and the bravery is off the charts.

The Taliban fighters came at them fast and relentlessly. A chance to kill some elite American Seals would be very useful in the propaganda machine they used to control the mountain people. I believe the average education there is about 3rd grade level. Intelligent people are harder to control and manipulate. Hmmm if only someone had said the best way to honor the sacrifice made by military people is to educate yourself…. For the record reading the shampoo bottle while you poop does not count. It did not take long for the Seals to get pinned down by the Taliban and stuck without an exit plan. They were in trouble, but had no phone signal from their positions. Insert Lieutenant Michael Murphy.

Mike Murphy is a legend and always will be. He was incredibly respected by his Seal peers and by everyone that knew him. As the ”leader” of the four seals it was on him to get help on the way. He looked at his friends and said I’m going to make a phone call. He left the safety of their cover to get a phone signal. I’ve done this a hundred times, but never with a few hundred enemy fighters surrounding me and constantly shooting AK-47’s at me. He knew what was going to happen and did it anyway. Out in the open he called back to base and told them they were in big trouble and going to die without help. Mike Murphy died making that phone call. On a mountain in Afghanistan fighting for who knows what with rules and regulations that cost lives of wonderful people.

War is horrible. The reality is freaking horrible. Bad things happen. That is why it is called war and not fun. There is a lot more to this story, but I’m going to stop here. If you haven’t read the book make time to do that. It is an important story to know and we as a country owe it to those young men to actually remember. Never forget is a crap meme people put on their Facebook page on Sept 10-12. Don’t be one of those people. Read, educate yourself, and make a positive difference in your community. Pick up trash, play checkers with old people, make sandwiches for homeless people, or anything you think of that will simply make your environment a little better.

We get so caught up in this holiday and that holiday. They are just days like the other 364. Take time every day to make a positive difference. I truly believe the greatest way to honor our Veterans is to have pride in our communities, to educate ourselves and our children about why freedom is so precious, and simply be proud to say ”Fuck yeah! I’m American!!”

FknBucky

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20
Jun
21

Loss of a Brother

By Bucktown 1 Comment
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I’m trying not to puke or punch someone in the face. That is the text back I got when I asked someone about Ryan. I like everyone else am in complete disbelief. Never in a million years would I have thought something like this could happen. Not in Traer. Worst thing that usually happens is a bloody lip from a disagreement at a keg party. We are good old boys. Work hard play hard. Up at dawn, work all day, and then drink some Busch Light with the boys at night. Growing up, marriage, having kids and the responsibilities that come with those things takes away the beers with the boys time, but there is a brotherhood, a bond that gets created and once a member you are always a member. Time and distance do not cancel the membership.

Time goes by, stories get more colorful, the truth gets stretched a little further, our beer bellies get bigger each year, but the brotherhood never waivers. It doesn’t matter if I saw you last week or ten years ago we start up right where we left off. I chose to move away and haven’t lived in Traer for 20 years. Doesn’t matter I’m a lifetime member. Money can’t get you into this club, there is no leadership, and no real rules to follow except simply be a decent human. The biggest unwritten rule is when your friends come over to help you get a job done, you had better have plenty of Busch Light on ice in the cooler for when the tools get put away the beers start cracking open.

We lost a great brother the other night. I can’t think of a kinder man who could have been the face of our unofficial boys club. I met him long before I moved to Iowa. I remember he had a motorcycle when we were young and I thought that was so cool. Our Dads knew each other growing up so when we would visit Traer, we would sometimes stop at the Cooper farm. Dad and Jan would drink beer and reminisce while Ryan and I would stay under the radar doing what boys do. Cause a ruckus somewhere, but try not to get caught doing it.

Like all of us in life there are ups and downs. Ryan was not immune to the rollercoaster life, but he always had a smile and was a good friend to anyone that needed one. Like everyone else in Traer I’ve spent the last two days reliving the memories I have of him. I can’t remember a time where he was confrontational with anyone. He wasn’t weak but rather so easy going that there was never a need to embrace conflict. I’ve known a few people like this and it is special. I think that might this situation even harder to understand. How can someone so good at avoiding conflict have something like this happen in our small town?? The hardest part is knowing even if all the answers come it won’t bring our brother back. To say he will be missed is an extreme understatement.

We haven’t kept in touch the last few years, but for a while there we did SnapChat back and forth. Getting Snapchat’s from the cab of his semi truck while he hauled cattle always made me laugh. Ryan was blessed growing up in a family with a solid business helping keep them financially secure, but you wouldn’t know that to talk with him. He never presented himself better than anyone else and worked just as hard as the rest of the crew. I admired that quality as I’ve met plenty of men that sit back counting Daddy’s money as if they accomplished something.

I know that the Traer community along with the unofficial brotherhood there will step up and help his family get thru this. I can’t fathom what they must be going thru at this time. As my friend in the beginning of this blog said “I’m trying not to be sick” as this situation leaves me lost on what to do. I’ve traveled more than most, made friends from all over the globe, and appreciate them all. The bond that one makes with friends growing up is the strongest friendship bond there is. I’m no stranger to tragedy, but this one is so unnecessary and sudden that it is incredibly hard to accept.

Ryan Cooper will always be a member of the Busch Light Brotherhood (I know how cheesy that sounds, but I had to call it something) in Traer, Iowa. He will never be forgotten and the character I knew him to have will be honored. My heart is completely broken when I think of his boys having to continue growing up with only memories of their Dad. I know there are plenty of good men in Traer that will make sure they understand how great of a man their Dad was. It is times like this that I really dislike living so far from home, but my feelings of sadness and anger with this situation are like I never left. It hurts my heart and it sucks. Things like this aren’t supposed to happen to us. This is something you see in the news happening somewhere far away.

I know the community there will rise up to help his family because that is what small town Iowa does. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. I truly hope they get some answers and over time have some closure. There is no map to follow in a situation like this. You just have to get up everyday, do the best you can, and honor your loved one by living your best life. I have trouble expressing emotions in my real life, but I’ve found I can vent things out with writing. I’m so so so sorry this happened and my heart breaks for the entire Cooper family. The loss of a husband/life partner, a father, son, brother, and friend is such a tragedy. No one should have to go thru what they are, but the strength of that small Iowa farm town and the brotherhood Ryan was a member of will be there to help every step of the way.

RIP Ryan. You will never be forgotten and the memories we have of you will live on forever.

Tell people you care about “you love them” everyday. It is important. Don’t wait to chase your dreams.

WIth a very heavy broken heart,

FknBucky

31
May
21

The Families

By Bucktown 2 Comments
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Army SPC Jeremiah Collins, says goodbye to his wife Angela (R) and daughters Skkye Collins (L) and Shyla Collins (2-R)

Yesterday I talked about respecting those that gave up everything for the idea of freedom. You can disagree with anything you want in America because you are free to do so. You don’t have to blindly agree with everything our government does, has done, or will do in the future. In fact it is your job as a citizen to question them, all of them, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, just because your “guy” or “gal” is in charge doesn’t mean they get a free pass to do whatever they want. I read a lot. I’ve read so many stories about incredibly brave men and women from all kinds of backgrounds that I know strength has nothing to do with race, gender, age, sexuality, or physical ability. I can’t do a push up, but I’m the strongest person you might ever meet. Or not.

To call me strong is easy. You see a wheelchair, think about how much it must suck, how sad or depressed you would be if it happened to you, and then label me as strong because I have a smile on my face. That isn’t strength, it is survival. I only have so many days left on Earth. It could be 1 more day or 10,000 more days, but I’m not going to waste them feeling sorry for myself about things I can’t change. Want to know real strength?? Go talk with the mother of 3 young children who’s husband is in harms way serving our country 6,494 miles from home. Yes I googled the distance from Charlotte, NC to Fallujah, Iraq. Keeping it real on FknBucky.

The families of our heroes need to be remembered on this Memorial Day as well. A friend of mine growing up lost her brother who was serving the USA when he was killed in a helicopter accident. I don’t know if she reads this blog or not, but I dedicate today’s blog to her brother and their family. His name is John Kaye and he was a hero. I bring it up to let her know a lot of people acknowledge the huge sacrifice he made to make sure the rest of us are safe and free. I didn’t know him well on a personal level, but I vow to never forget his name or sacrifice.

It is easy to forget the real reason for Memorial Day, but the families left behind to try and make sense of it all don’t have the luxury to forget. Commenting on a Meme in between beers 2 and 3 is not honoring those that gave their life in defense of our country. You don’t have to agree with the war, the military, or any of it, but you must understand these individuals believed in America enough to die for it. The sadness and the loss never really go away. It is impossible to understand the pain associated with loss like that unless you’ve been through it. We all hope you don’t experience that kind of grief.

Memorial Day is more than brats on a grill. More than having your first beer at 9 AM. It is important to take a few minutes, look around your life, and appreciate all that you have. Regardless of the hardships you have going on in your life, you are still here with the opportunity to change your life. The opportunity to read a book, start a business, have a family, or anything else you would like to do. Those that gave up their lives so we could be free don’t have the opportunity to do any of those things. Show your respect by living a full life. Chase your dreams. Hold those you love and tell them you love them often.

I’m very sorry that John Kaye lost his life serving our country. He was way too young and I know how much his sister and family loved him. He is missed by many and never forgotten. So remember him today, remember all of our fallen heroes, and don’t forget to honor the families that have lost their brother, son, Uncle, sister, daughter, or Aunt. Those labels came long before we called men like John a soldier, a Marine, a sailor, or any of the other terms used to describe service members.

I try to write about things that are meaningful and tell some jokes along the way. With a country so divided I hope that regardless of where you fall left or right you can take a moment to remember a hero that didn’t give his life to democrats or republicans. He gave his life for Americans. The least you can do is spend the day being just that. An American. An American that can see all the good we do together as a country. You have 364 other days to hate and trash the USA. Just for today drink your beers, eat the brats, and embrace the idea of freedom so many brave men and women died for.

FknBucky

Read * Think * Live Free

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