Please remember: Honor the Fallen

https://thefallen.militarytimes.com/army-pfc-bryan-r-thomas/3714998

I have to share my personal experience with Bryan Thomas. A graduate of Lakeview - Battle Creek, Bryan gave me a lot of good memories.

First, on the football field, Bryan had an excellent work ethic. He was not the biggest, strongest, nor fastest guy on the field. He was, however, determined to be his best. You could stick him at nose tackle across from a guy twice his weight class and he would chew that guys knee caps if he had to. He would've been a good Detroit Lion.

We only got to play one year of football together. However, we were destined to meet again.

I did not have the work ethic of Bryan and had to take some time from my university to Figure It Out. Thankfully, I got to take a photography class at Kellogg Community College while I was temporarily away from the University of Michigan. Bryan was in an advanced class compared to me (of course) but we got to share the same development lab. 

I got to know Bryan better through his art and casual banter. He was an amazing photographer. I also learned how passionate he was about Ohio State. He was by far the most entertaining Buckeye I had ever met. He could rib me so bad about Michigan's performance that all I could do was laugh.

As the semester was ending, Bryan told me he was entering service for the Army. Well the Army certainly picked a good man.

Unfortunately, Bryan did not make it back alive.

Thank you, Army Pfc. Bryan R. Thomas, for your service.