PHOTOS BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
HONORED … Members of Brandon Kreischer’s family were recognized Tuesday at Evansport Cemetery following the completion of the Brandon Kreischer Memorial Ruck Run in honor of the late U.S. Army veteran who died in action on July 29, 2019. Standing behind them is the Bryan Combined Honor Guard.
REFLECTION … Brandon Kreischer’s widow, Grace Kreischer (above), stands beside her son, Callum, in front of her husband’s grave marker at Evansport Cemetery.
READY TO RUN … Military veterans, along with family, friends of the late Brandon Kreischer, pose for a photo prior to the start of the 12-mile Ruck Run on Tuesday. The run started in downtown Bryan and ended up at Evansport Cemetery.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Six years ago, Private First Class Brandon Kreischer died in the line of duty while serving his country in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.
As a tribute to the Stryker native and 2018 Bryan High School graduate, area military veterans, along with family and friends, gathered on Tuesday, July 29, honoring his service in the third battalion in the 82nd Airborne Division, participating in a 12-mile ruck run from downtown Bryan to Evansport Cemetery, where he is laid to rest.
There were T-shirts worn in honor of Kreischer’s military service, saying, “May we never forget freedom isn’t free,” and it was quite evident in showing their support on a warm and humid day, remembering him.
For several U.S. Army veterans who participated, the ruck run brought back memories of carrying a weighted backpack, as it was a common training technique used in the military.
“The year he passed, his friends came home and organized this run to go from his banner here in town to his gravesite in Evansport,” said Dan Bonney, one of the organizers of the event and a U.S. Army veteran.
“It’s kind of hard for people that are on active duty to continue a thing like that. So, I kind of took it under my wing and did it myself. We did it even through COVID, where we had only three or four people doing it.”
Bonney was impressed with the turnout of people for the ruck run, which started in front of Spangler Candy Museum and Store, where Kreischer’s banner is located.
“To see this many people doing, it today and as many as we had last year, I’m pretty impressed by that,” pointed out Bonney.
“I always heard a saying that nobody has ever forgotten until somebody stops saying their name. So, I always wanted to keep his (Kreischer’s) name out there and for people to remember what he sacrificed, everything for us. I just want to honor him for that.”
Kreischer was just 27 days shy of his 20th birthday when he died.
“We’ve lost many young men and women over the years at young ages,” noted Bonney.
As the ruck run got underway in downtown Bryan, the runners would eventually head out via county roads en route to Evansport.
Zuriel Sprague, who had manned one of four rest stations along the route offering water, snacks, and fresh fruits for the participants, reflected on Kreischer’s military service.
“This ruck run basically keeps his own legacy and memory alive and all that he was trying to do,” said Sprague, who had served in the U.S. Army for two years and operated the rest station on the corner of County Roads C and 16.
“This is very important for a bunch of people getting together, and to do this means a lot. He’ll be happy that his memory is kept alive, and what the face of this mission of this ruck is, and his son (Callum) can look forward to this.”
Nearly three hours later, Tyler Rupp and Garrett Witte, both of Montpelier, were the first participants to reach Evansport Cemetery.
“It was good to come out and support all the veterans,” said Rupp. “I feel happy to be out here and happy to help anyway I can.”
Witte, who had served in the Army from 2019 to 2022 in the 101st Airborne from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and deployed to Romania during his military service, had known Kreischer his entire life.
“He’s (Kreischer’s) essentially a brother to me, and this is a very important thing for me,” pointed out Witte.
“It’s important to show that everything that happens, like such an event like this, it doesn’t go unnoticed or unseen. It affects people in ways you wouldn’t understand.”
“Words can’t describe the amount of pain that I had this day six years ago when I found out.”
Witte had found out about Kreischer’s untimely death while preparing to leave for basic training after enlisting in the Army because of Brandon.
“I found out when my mom came into my room, and I remembered it,” said Witte. “She told me that I had to sit down, and Brandon died with another gentleman. It wasn’t real, and it still doesn’t feel like that.”
Another participant, Joshua King of Edon, who also serves as a commissioner for the Williams County Board of Veteran Services, said it was very humbling both in thought and deed, especially in the heat.
“It’s something that I try to make every year,” said King, who had served from 2000 to 2003 in the U.S. Army. “I did not know him (Kreischer) personally, but I was also an infantryman like he was. And I also knew various members of his family.”
King stressed the importance of serving your country. “It’s important that you don’t forget the people who have served your country and made the ultimate sacrifice. It’s very important that we’re a part of this and like to have more people participate.”
Kreischer’s widow, Grace, appreciated the support of those who participated in the annual Ruck Run in memory of her husband.
“This year turned out better than last, considering it’s on a Tuesday and everybody has to work,” said Grace Kreischer.
“We just really appreciate everyone taking their time to even show up for a little bit or do a little bit of the walk and do the whole thing. It really means a lot to us. I hope we can continue this until we can’t walk anymore, I guess.”
She vividly remembers the day when Army officials contacted her on the phone and told her of the news regarding her husband’s own sacrifice to his country.
“I was by myself when I got the phone call, and I literally lost all strength in my body and collapsed,” she admitted.
“I remembered the day started off, a really nice day up until we got the news that he had been killed. It was then raining out, and it was kind of like the universe was grieving with us.”
Bryan Mayor Carrie Schlade, who has developed a close friendship with Kreischer’s widow and her five-year-old son, Callum, over the last six years, thanked everyone honoring the family.
“Just remember that we are all here able to do what we do every day because of people like Brandon who sacrificed everything for us,” said Schlade.
A combined honor guard of the Bryan Legion, VFW, Amvets, and DAV Posts saluted Kreischer’s military service, and the American Freedom Riders also paid tribute with a motorcycle procession through the cemetery.