| Becki's Tribute for WO1 Adrian Stump:
On July 7, 1983 a baby boy entered this world. I remember so well this little blonde cherub with an easy smile, his trademark smile, and a feisty nature. One could see what an enormous delight he was to his proud parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
The little cherub quickly grew into an adventurous young lad who loved to camp and hunt and fish, to ski, and to ride anything on wheels. He loved the fresh air and the tall mountains, the rivers and the streams, the animals and the birds. It was the lad’s parents who encouraged him to be bold and self-confident by introducing him to the great outdoors with all of its wonders and challenges. And I remember how the young lad embraced it all with unbounded joy, and with that quick and easy smile.
In a few short years, the boy was joined by a brother and two sisters. Oh, what fun for the lad! Now, he had someone to play with, fight with, wrestle and argue with. Of course, like every healthy, normal older brother, he delighted in antagonizing his younger brother and sisters. I know there were times when his parents wondered how soon their hair would turn gray; but then he would flash that easy smile, and they would know there was no meanness in their son’s heart, that it all was just the way an older brother loves.
I watched as the boy grew up in a loving home. He always had the support and guidance of people who loved him and cared about him, people who wanted him to live to the fullest whatever life had to offer. They encouraged him to go after what he wanted and follow his dreams.
That loving family also gave the boy something that he practiced all his life: the gifts of kindness and compassion. Whether someone was young or old, or in between, he treated them with respect and consideration. All who knew him will agree with me when I say that, plain and simple, this young man was just a nice guy who was a pleasure to talk to, and who never failed to flash that easy smile.
As the boy grew and matured, he discovered he did have a dream, something he had to pursue. That dream was to fly. Now, all young men have dreams; most forget them or abandon them for life’s practicalities. But not this young man. This dream of his was more than a dream. It was a passion, a life’s passion, one that any young man worth his salt could not ignore and had to follow.
I do not know how this young man found this dream. Maybe it came from watching the eagles and hawks soar through the sky and feeling his heart ache to join them, to feel the warmth of the sun on his face and the wind under his wings, and to experience total freedom from gravity itself. Maybe he thought that, by learning to fly, he could help others in need. And maybe, it was just because he loved an adventure and flying is one of those great adventures that have captivated so many down through the ages.
Thus, it was no surprise to me that, when the young man finished school, he immediately took steps to realize his dream. He dedicated himself totally, studying hard and working hard. He was a joy to his instructors, eager to learn and soak up all the knowledge and information he could. And he had no fear, embracing every opportunity with gusto and enthusiasm, and that wonderful smile.
If anyone had doubts before, there were none now. The cherub had grown to be a boy, and the boy to be a young man. However, they were gone now, and in their place was a man – still young and seeking adventure, but also a mature and responsible man ready to face life’s challenges.
I know that, once he completed his training and actually started flying, it was the BIGGEST thrill this young man had ever experienced. No adrenaline rush he had ever experienced could hold a candle to the feelings of joy and freedom and competence he had when he piloted his aircraft. Of course, this only confirmed what he already had known. To fly was why he was born. Thus, every time he flew, he experienced what perhaps few of us have – to know oneself and to fulfill that self completely. No doubt, every time he flew, there was that smile.
However, this young man that everyone thought of as kind and considerate and who had found his joy in life, this young man also was aware that many people in the world do not have the freedoms and liberties that he and his countrymen enjoy. Despite the enormous danger, he stepped forward and accepted the responsibility of helping them make a better life for themselves. He was anxious and eager to go. In fact, he had to work extra hard and get special permission to go.
The young man left for Afghanistan with a deep conviction in the rightness of what he was doing, a handmade quilt from his mama, and that easy smile. He kept in constant contact with his family and friends, but never burdened them with whatever unpleasantness he found in war. His messages always were he was doing great and getting the bad guys. He sent emails and pictures and always there was that easy smile. He was such a handsome young man!
On September 25, 2005, the world lost that smile. On that day, Warrant Office I Adrian Bove Stump made the ultimate sacrifice when his helicopter crashed. He and his comrades served their nation with dedication and pride, and he died doing what he loved. While this fact does not mitigate the loss of such a magnificent young man, it may make our grief a bit easier to bear.
A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present “Seven Wonders of the World.” The following received the most votes: Egypt’s Great Pyramids, The Taj Mahal, The Grand Canyon, The Panama Canal, The Empire State Building, St. Peters Basilica and China’s Great Wall.
While gathering the votes, the teacher noticed that one student had not yet finished her paper. She asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, “Yes a little. I couldn’t quite make up my mind because there are so many.” The teacher said, “Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.” The girl hesitated, then read, “I think the Seven Wonders of the World are: To see … to hear … to touch … to taste … to feel … to laugh … and to love.” The room was absolutely silent.
The most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man. Rather, it is the things we overlook as simple and ordinary, and that we take for granted, that are truly the things that are the most wondrous.
We are all indeed lucky to have lived, laughed, seen, touched and loved with Adrian. Who he was and the way he lived his life can and did inspire us all. And so it should be.
On the day he died, Adrian earned a new set of wings - the golden wings of an angel. We can know that he is in a beautiful place, now, and probably already on a new adventure. Or, perhaps he has a new responsibility. Just as there are angels whose purpose is to bend down to the grass and whisper “Grow”, perhaps it is Adrian’s new assignment to whisper in the ears of baby birds, “Fly”.
Forever more when I watch a bird soar overhead, I will believe that it is Adrian looking down and keeping an eye on all of us; and, no doubt, on his face will be that easy smile.
God bless you Adrian, and may you rest in peace.
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