Brian E. Wheeler

West Point, 1990

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by John W. Cephas on January 13, 2006:

Sean, I just saw your comments on Brian's eulogy page, and wanted to let you know what a great tribute that was. Looking back on life in "F-4," I know we applied constant pressure on you guys. You all handled it so well, and I'll submit that you should be proud that you took the heat, recovered from the occasionally wounded pride, and prospered in that intense environment. I know the class of 87 was not perfect, but we did try very hard to turn the company around and get off of the Comm's $hit-list. As I look back on what subsequent classes from F-4 achieved, I guess we didn't do too badly in reversing past trends.... Although I never let it be known, Brian was my favorite member of your class. His intensity and drive to master everything he was challenged with, was fun to watch, especially in light of the negative attention he always seemed to get (there is another important reason I'll get to in a minute). Probably because he was so tall, and could never just blend-in with the rest of you, every little misstep was caught and corrected. Despite the stress, I think all that extra "attention" helped him focus and ultimately achieve all that he did. At least I hope that's the case.... I remember one night during your first academic semester, Brian's dad came to visit. After spending some time with Brian, he requested an "audience" with me. I was floored when the TAC told me that BG Wheeler wanted to see me right way. Because I had not made the name connection, I wondered what the heck I had *#@&ed-up to have a BG asking to see me, after Call to Quarters. It turns out it was just the opposite. Somehow my way of doing the job during BEAST and in garrison had struck a positive chord with Brian, and made a much bigger impression on him than I ever knew until that Fall evening. After grabbing my hand and thanking me for doing such a great job as a positive role model for Brian, Ed Wheeler gave me a copy of a photo he took of our platoon marching into position for the Swearing-in Ceremony on R-day. I still have that picture, and almost 20 years later, it still means a great deal to me. I learned a couple of really important lessons about doing my duty and treating people right that have stayed with me to this day, thanks to Brian and his dad. Not that my home training didn't have something to do with it too, but it couldn't have been better scripted by the fates, that my dad and Brian's dad were in the same group at the War College, and that Brian had spent several weekend's interacting with my dad at Carlisle Barracks. Long before he was even accepted to the Point, Brian knew who I was. From what his dad told me that evening in the Fall of '86, from day one at BEAST, Brian felt he was in good hands when he saw my name tag, and remembered his conversations with my dad. I feel good to have lived up to his expectations of what a BEAST squad leader was supposed to be, and even though he was not in my squad, the example I had set in giving commands and making corrections was nothing less than professional. I am glad I was a positive part of his West Point experience, and proud of what he accomplished. He is sorely missed, and I feel doubly sad that I, like you, had lost touch with such a great human being over the years. Anyway, I'm getting carried away, and I just wanted express my appreciation for the glimpse at yet another great example of Brian's strength of character, that your tribute to your friend and classmate provided for those of us who did not know him quite so well. Best regards, and GO-FROGS! John Cephas F-4, '87

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