Memorial service focuses on celebration of fallen soldier's life, bittersweet memories

With their heads bowed and hands clutched, friends and family of Spc. Brett Hershey prayed together in the remembrance of the fallen soldier. \nInside a packed church, they gathered at a memorial service not only grieve, but to celebrate the life of a man they all agreed "had lived life to the fullest."\nAlong with Gov. Mitch Daniels, fellow soldiers, hometown friends and hundreds of others came to pay respects to Hershey, who had been working to train Afghanistan's new national army.\nHershey was killed eight days ago alongside three fellow guardsmen after their vehicle drove over a land mine 30 miles south of Kabul, Afghanistan.\nNate Hershey spoke of his brother's life as one worthy of celebration. \n"Brett was larger than life," he said. "He was the kind of kid that when he walked into a room he could light it up. Many people don't experience the kind of life in 70 years that he had in 23."\nHershey had led worship at the Sigma Chi fraternity where he was a member and in Afghanistan while he was serving. Hershey had sent home several video clips to his family including one of him and a fellow soldier conducting a service.\nMore than anything, Hershey wanted others to share in his passion and find a relationship with Christ.\n"He had a relationship with Jesus Christ, and Christ was his life," his father Roger Hershey said. "It was the power of Christ and the love of Christ that gave him direction to care about other peoples' needs."\nIn addition to his love for Christ, Hershey had found love with his fiance Elizabeth Keller, who he had met at IU. Nate Hershey said his brother had secretly bought a ring and was planning on formally proposing when he returned from his service overseas.\nAn emotional Keller shared e-mails the two had wrote back and forth while Hershey was in Afghanistan.\n"You really are the man of my dreams, Brett Hershey," she wrote in response to a humorous poem he had written her. \nThe two had become best friends and were planning to be married this November. In March, Keller had written an e-mail to him saying even thought she knew he would be home soon she wished the time would pass faster.\n"I look forward to the day I will see his face, hear his laugh and see his smile," Keller said with tears in her eyes. "I cherished every moment I spent with him."\nWith a recording of Hershey singing and playing the guitar in the background, a bittersweet slideshow of Hershey, his friends and family brought laughter and tears to those who knew him. In between the laughter, some bowed their heads to pray, others clutched those next to them for comfort and some could only cry.\nThose in attendance were asked to share their memories and speak about the times Hershey had shared with them. Friends shared a list of "Things Brett loved" including Jesus, prayer, his fraternity, food, cutting the tops off hats to make visors, family vacations and most of all laughter.\n"If we don't laugh, Brett would be mad," his brother said.\nSenior Nate Graeser, who attended North Central High School with Hershey, said his best friend had a passion for life and for people.\n"He was a prayer warrior," he said. "He was always teaching people and was a fighter for people."\nNate Hershey said his brother truly had a big heart for his friends and family. He had sent a lengthy e-mail to his brother in Afghanistan telling him about some problems he personally had been having. Nate said that his brother's response, "My heart hurts for you," though short, showed that he shared another's pain. \nAfter sharing several childhood memories, Nate Hershey wanted to say one thing to his brother, "I love you very much."\nUpon hearing news of her son's death, Roxanne Hershey wrote down memories of her son she said will remain treasures in her heart.\n"You made the most and best out of every situation," she said. "Conflict with you was rare."\nRoxanne said in the following years she will replay and remember the memories of her son that gave her immense joy during the 23 years he was with her,\n"I don't know why God chose to take you now ..." she said. "But you are with him now -- safe at last."\n-- Contact Campus Editor Mallory Simon at mgsimon@indiana.edu.