View a eulogy for Brian E. Wheeler, USMA '90, who passed away on October 22, 2005.
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Brian E. Wheeler
West Point, 1990
Be Thou At Peace
Posted by Pablo Ruiz on December 28, 2005:
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Brian and I served in the 43rd Combat Heavy Engr Btn, Fort Benning, GA. We were in the battalion S3 together as 1LTs. He was the signal officer and I was the construction officer. We deployed to Somalia together in October 1993. We became good friends during that trip and confided in each other during our trials and tribulations in Mogadishu. I remember he had a long term plan to go to law school then pursue a political career at some point. He had no doubt in his ability to reach his goals. I also recall him speaking fondly of his father and how supportive he was of Brian's aspirations. I lost touch with him when I departed the service in July 1994 but saw his name show up on an e-mail from the AOG that he had updated his info in the database. I looked him up through the Oklahoma Bar Association and e-mailed him. He replied with "How are you Bud? Yes, very long. So much has happened. Are you still working for TI? -Brian". I got busy with work and planned to have a longer conversation when I got caught up, but then received his father's e-mail via the AOG. I still have his last e-mail and can't delete it. I read the AP story on this eulogy web page and saw that he wasn't wearing his seat belt which grieves me even more. I was involved in a black ice accident where my truck spun 180 degrees in mid air while rolling 360 degrees. The truck landed on its wheels facing the opposite direction I was originally traveling. I survived without a scratch because I was wearing my seat belt. Writing this is bringing back the grief I felt when I read his father's e-mail because I now know he might have survived the accident. Our smallest decisions can sometimes have the gravest of consequences. I miss not being able to finish my conversation with Brian and it will bother me for many years I'm sure that I didn?t respond immediately. I so hoped to see his name on an election poster some day. Until we meet again, Brian. Pablo Ruiz 1990, G-3 |
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