A military honor guard carries the coffin of Brian Fuiller to his final resting place in Southern Cemetery in Central Lake Twp. Fuller was killed while training in Texas. Photo by Jeffray N. Kessler

A phone call, a strangerÕs voice with a foreboding tone, a pause of aching silence, a level of grief for which there can be no preparation. This is the reality that faced Brian and Betty Fuller of Mancelona last week when they were informed by the Army that their son had been killed.

For the parents and spouses of soldiers, worry becomes an involuntary part of their lives. The same can be said for relatives of policemen or firemen. Whenever they are separated from their families, the chance of their not returning, constantly, quietly, subversively plays on the minds of their spouses, fathers and mothers. The phone cannot ring without touching a tone of concern in the darkest corner of their minds. Mrs. Fuller said, "When you have a child in the service, you have to deal with long absences and the doubt that you may never see them again.Ó"

Staff Sergeant Brian Lynn Fuller, Jr. began his military career in 1998 by enlisting two weeks after his high school graduation with four of his friends. He surprised his mother when he walked in one day and announced that he had joined. She was not too fond of the idea, but seeing that his father and grandfather had been in the military and knowing that Brian and his friends were not sure what they were going to do with their future, she acquiesced.

Mr. and Mrs. Fuller had little doubt that their son would flourish in the Army. He had been an "achiever" in high school, a student who could set a goal and then go after it relentlessly. He was intelligent, and had a knack for being able to look at a problem, analyze it, and then devise a solution. He applied those strategies to everything from computer repair to becoming an outstanding wrestler.

Ironically, Brian was the only one of that original group to stick with the Army. He used the ArmyÕs opportunities to constantly take classes, expanding his abilities in electronics and communications. Eventually he was given an assignment in Korea. During those 4 years he met his wife and had a son. This was the longest Mr. and Mrs. Fuller had gone without seeing him.

Upon completion, Brian returned to the United States to introduce his new family to his mother and father and to pursu advanced training, this time specializing in the operation and electronics of unmanned drones. It was just last summer he graduated with top honors. Brian Sr. and his wife couldnÕt have been more proud as they attended the ceremonies in Arizona, but a new worry loomed.

With his new skills, Brian was scheduled for duty in Iraq beginning next September. "This became our worst worry of all" Betty recalled.

Unfortunately, this concern became a cruel distraction from the dangers that can befall a soldier even during training. It was just after a night of field drills in the early hours of April 7 , near Ft. Hood, Tex. that he was struck by a civilian vehicle as he walked along a road. All of his accomplishments, desires, loves, and plans had been ended by an accident shrouded in the dark of night and cruel fate.

"Now we are caught in a big nightmare from which we cannot seem to wake" intimated Mrs. Fuller, "But we know we have to because we have a daughter-in-law and a grandson who need us. He was so young. I donÕt know if there is anything worse for a parent than to have to bury one of their children."

According to his mother, "Our Brian always made people laugh, including me. He often called us at 3:00 in the morning from Korea, because he said he couldnÕt figure out the time difference. We knew he was kidding, but we had some wonderful early morning conversations.Ó She went on to say how he could light up a room when he walked in. ÒHe cared deeply about people, loved to fish, was so very smart, and his memory will definitely stay in our hearts forever."

BrianÕs body was flown into Traverse City at midnight last week accompanied by a formal military escort. At the funeral on Monday his country honored his service and memory with full military honors. There is very little solace for the Fuller family at this time, but there is that light that Brian could carry into a room. His father, mother, wife Mary Grace, brother Jeremy , sister Jackie, nephews and other relatives have found a strand of hope, and are heartened to see that very same light in the eyes of BrianÕs six year old son. They can see it when little Ian Patrick takes apart a toy and then proceeds to put it right back together, "Just like his daddy."

Shine on Brian. You made your family and friends very proud in an all-too-short earthly stay with them. You brightened many lives.