Since I have lots of siblings, it stands to reason I would have a bunch of nieces and nephews. In fact, they started coming along before I did! But I was old enough to remember the last few siblings getting married, and later I was even called into service as a babysitter from time to time.
I remember when my nephew Tyler was born. It didn’t take long to realize that this kid was a live wire to end all live wires! He would tear around full-tilt, hollering at the top of his lungs, wearing everyone else out long before himself!
After a few years had passed, I really didn’t get to see him all that much anymore. But he did mellow out as he grew up! I remember him visiting and riding along with me down to Jerry’s to pick up motorcycle parts. I remember him wanting a ride in my Camaro not long after I got it. So we hopped in and took off.
I saw him even less as time went on. He played baseball in high school and he loved it. He was a pitcher. I played a little PE-credit baseball in college at around the same time, so we had a conversation or two discussing the game.
I was house-sitting for my sister for a few weeks one summer, and he happened to be living next door at the time. I knew he was joining the Marines, and one afternoon he came out and caught me and told me he was leaving that day or the next. I gave him a hug and we said good-bye.
He thought about driving up to my wedding last summer (I forget where he was stationed at the time) along with his girlfriend, but it didn’t work out. I was disappointed, I would have liked to introduce him to Jewel, and besides, I hadn’t seen him since that day before he left to join the Marines.
He had served in the States for quite a while, but a few weeks after the wedding he was sent to Iraq. His Dad occasionally emailed us updates on Tyler and what he was doing. He even sent a couple of pictures just a month or two ago.
I thought, man, I’ve got to send him a note! Earlier this week Dave had sent me another update and I kept it in my inbox to remind me to drop him a line. Of course I hadn’t done it yet though.
Tonight Dave called and told me that today Tyler was killed in Iraq.
I laid down for awhile and cried. I’m still crying.
21 Responses
November 20th, 2005 at 9:43 pm
Tom, I am so sorry about Tyler. I lost my “big brother” during Viet Nam in a plane crash. May God be with you and Jewel and especially close to Tyler’s parents.
November 20th, 2005 at 10:15 pm
I’m crying with you Tom, John
November 20th, 2005 at 10:50 pm
To you from God: grace and peace
November 20th, 2005 at 10:57 pm
We to are crying w/you–I still remember the live wire and the kid that Dave and I took to Nebraska 11 yrs ago.We weren’t around him alot the past few years but have alot of fond memories of him in and out of our home when he was a kid.Our prayers are w/you–the war has become a reality that wasn’t there before!
November 20th, 2005 at 11:26 pm
Tom,
So sorry to hear of the death of your nephew. Sure does make me long for the day when the “Prince of Peace” will come to put an end to all wars etc. Reminds me of a song that my 3 older sons and I sing as a quartet. it goes like this….
vs.1 “I’ve started to a land where there’s everlasting joy, singing with the angle band there nothing to annoy.
There I’ll be with friends and loved ones, with them ever stay, I am going home to heaven some sweet day!”
vs.2 “There will be no wars to grieve us, there’ll be everlasting peace,
friends will never have to leave us parting will have ceased,
soon my troubles will be over, I will sail away, I am going home to heaven some sweet day”
chorus.
“Shouting, singing, praises ringing, in that happy land,
frends I know there, makes me want to go there with them on that strand,
time is drawing nearer, I’ve not long to stay, I am going home to heaven, some sweet day!”
November 21st, 2005 at 12:48 am
Tom, I wish you could have been at Dave’s today with us – Galen,Carol, Doug, Anisa, Kenny, Melissa, Mom & Dad, Kevin & Jean, Hope & Brian and 6 of their kids. We shared lots of memories. I came back and went to see Terri & Michael. All their visitors had just left. Tyler’s fiance Megan is here, she was pretty much crashed on the couch. They appreciate all the support they are getting from family, friends and other Marine parents. Tyler was a very special young man and we all loved him so much. I hope you can come out.
Love, LeAnn
November 21st, 2005 at 8:51 am
Tom, I am so sorry about your family’s loss. I have a former coworker from when I worked at the tractor dealership who has been in Iraq for nearly a year. He walked into the bakery Friday morning, just to see me. I was so glad to see him, I nearly cried. He got to come home for the Thanksgiving holiday, and will be going back to Iraq at the end of the month. I told him I had been worrying and praying for him. His response was to thank me and tell me he still had the Bible my wife and I gave him the previous time he was activated.
Just know that we will pray for your family, and especially Tyler’s fiancee.
November 21st, 2005 at 10:38 am
Tom, Thanks for sharing some memories of Tyler. I personally, never want to forget Tyler. I didn’t realize how many peoples lives he had touched. In the Albany area, he new a lot of people. It was also very nice to hear from coaches, his high school principal and others respond in the paper. Thanks again. Tyler’s Dad
November 21st, 2005 at 3:58 pm
I am so sorry…
November 21st, 2005 at 7:25 pm
My deepest sympathies.
Your family can be proud of who he was and what he stood for. By your stories, he truly sounds like the star that burned fast and brilliantly bright. You have my prayers.
November 21st, 2005 at 10:11 pm
Tom I understand…..it was like a punch in the stomach. YOu’re right about one thing….he was a LIVE WIRE! I remember we read him the “Samuel” book when he would stay with us. (I think dad did.) That started his “Samuel!” calling…I think Dave had a terrible time with him at bedtime for a while because Tyler kept calling Samuel. :)
November 21st, 2005 at 11:30 pm
So sorry to hear about your nephew. I’m so thankful for guys like him that are willing to go, no matter the cost.
November 22nd, 2005 at 12:29 am
It’s amazing how priorities can change in an instant. I had some friends here watching the football game when the phone call came, suddenly it didn’t matter anymore. I was also made aware of the power that music and song can have as i tried to worship in church Sun. I made it through most with a small amount of quivering in my voice. When we started to sing “draw me close to you,never let me go” I lost it. I never can remember a time when i have appreciated christian friends and family so much. God can make something wonderful out of this. Douglas
November 23rd, 2005 at 4:58 pm
Sorry for your loss. I had the priviledge of working with Tyler at Pax River. He was the one who would always make us laugh no matter what the situation was. I will remember the time I served with him at Pax and keep your family in my prayers.
November 27th, 2005 at 9:07 pm
Dear Troyer Family, As I was watching the news this evening, I learned of Tyler’s death. Though I didn’t know Tyler and I don’t see you often, I am sad for your loss. He is not gone as long as his memory is with you. My thoughts and prayers are with you. LeAnn, my special childhood friend, Dave her younger brother, Stan who has been such a special friend to the family,and all of the rest of you for whom I hold a special place in my heart. Love Melody
November 28th, 2005 at 7:55 am
Tyler touched my son as well as myself in many ways,we lived in Tangent too and I will never forget how people would stop and watch Tyler at the skate park, So much talent and bravery in that guy. when Danny brought Tyler to meet me the first time I knew this very polite responsible person would keep my son safe and I couldn’t say this about any of the others Danny hung with. We are all so Proud to know this fine young Man and will forever remember his Big Friendly Smile,Laughter and jokes. He will truely be missed by us all. Dan Witt
November 28th, 2005 at 6:21 pm
David- Sorry to here about Tylers accident. I can not even imagine what you are going thru. I do appreciate the sacrifice that he made for all of us.Call me sometime at the same phone #. Loyal
February 21st, 2006 at 8:25 pm
[…] I found a very nice blog post this afternoon by the mother of one of Tyler’s friend’s. It’s over at MarineCorpsMoms.com. […]
February 21st, 2006 at 8:25 pm
[…] I’m the skinny chump on the right, that’s Tyler in the middle facing the camera with the big eyes and thrilled look! The other two boys are my nephews Craig and Eric (LeAnn’s sons), now they’re both maybe, oh, about twice my height. […]
February 21st, 2006 at 8:27 pm
[…] My brother Galen just emailed me that latest article from the hometown newspaper (Albany Democrat-Herald) about my nephew Tyler Troyer. […]
May 22nd, 2006 at 11:10 am
[…] A few weeks ago, my nephew Tyler Troyer’s old high school baseball team named their new clubhouse in his honor. The local newspaper has an online photo gallery from the dedication ceremony. […]