In Loving Memory of
Brian Hotchkiss
Born May 1, 1970 - Murdered June 28th, 1989
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May 1, 1994
My Dearest Brian,
Today you would have been 24. I wonder about a lot of things. Would you be married by now? Would you have a child? Where would you be working? I see young men your age and try to picture in my mind what you would have looked like at 24.
Since your murder a niece and nephew have been born. Shane, who is now four, and Samantha who is 2. Ryan who was just 18 months when you died, is now 6 and in school. How they would have loved their uncle Brian.
We never know what the future holds for any of us, but I wonder why snd how another person can take a life. I wonder if they will ever realize the pain and hurt they've caused.
I wonder if all this violence will ever end, or who the next victim will be. I wonder who the next parent, sibling, grandparent, or friend will be who will have to face this pain, hurt, and agony.
The one thing I don't wonder about is my faith in God, and that someday I will see you again. Until that day my son, I'll do the best I can in this life, so I can be with you in the next life.
You are deeply missed and loved.
All my love mom. |
WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DIE?
BY
LISA HOTCHKISS
So Many times I ask myself
"why did you have to die?"
So Many times I just give up
and sit down to cry.
I know deep down inside of me
you're in a better place.
But the pain within my heart
just simply won't erase.
I miss your face, I miss your laugh,
I mostly miss your smile.
What I wouldn't give to turn back time
and talk with you for a while.
So many things I wish I'd said,
if I had only known.
So many times I cry at night
while feeling so alone.
I still recall the memories
of the last day we spent together.
We laughed at jokes and teased a bit
as if we had forever.
I guess what troubles me the most is
I never said "Good-bye."
Brian, I miss you with all of my heart.
why did you have to die?
I miss you
-Lisa is Brians sister
TO BRIAN, WITH LOVE
To some of us you were a friend, or a classmate in school.
Someone with whom to share a laugh or slightly bend a rule.
To some you were a grandson, whom we once bounced on our knee,
Whose impish face and freckles always filled our hearts with glee.
To some you were a cousin, or a nephew growing fast,
And we all share fond memories of holidays that passed.
When all the children flocked to you, and then the fun would start,
For children always recognize a kind and gentle heart.
To some you were a brother, with whom we fought and played,
Someone with whom secrets were shared, and youthful plans were made.
Today we come to tell you that these treasured memories
Will be shared and passed along to our new families.
To some of us you were a son, beloved from the start,
A cherished little infant who stole each and every heart,
A sweet toddler with chubby knees, a child, and too soon grown,
Our love for you is greater than you ever could have known.
To all of us you were a loving, kind, and gentle soul,
On whom some youthful burdens of this earth did take their toll,
But now your're on a journey where there is no pain, just peace,
Where joy and knowledge fill your heart, and tribulations cease.
And so, we come to say farewell, we will not say good-bye.
For you may be assured that in our hearts you will never die.
Until we meet again someday, we need to let you know
You'll always be a part of us, dear Brian, we love you so.
MY TRIBUTE TO BRIAN
When first we met you were a boy
you smiled and winked and laughed
assured me by tomorrow my sadness
soon would pass.
We laughed and joked and clowned-around
We had the whole place roar
you picked me up, you little boy
and made my spirits soar.
You taught me how to be a kid
we moon-walked down the aisles
and most of all I'll never forget
you taught me how to smile.
You filled my life with softness
that you could never know
good friends we were and proud I was
to watch and see you grow.
We went to shows, and played some pool
we had our little chats
we shared a love so wonderful
we even had our spats.
You were my son I never had
your parents let it be
they let me share in memories
that meant so much to me.
I miss you Brian - you wonderful young man
You rest in peace my little friend,
until we meet again
I'll love you forever.
Sharon Barry
BRIAN
I will never see you again.
I will never see your face, your smile,
your freckles, your hair
I will never hear your voice, your laugh
I will never see you walking, running
I will never see you marry and bear your own
As life moves on
As seasons change
As years pass on
As time moves forward
I will never see you again.
The earth will change
The sun will shine
The stars will come
The stars will go
We must move on
We must move forward
But my heart cries out
I will never see you again.
BARBARA BRANDANO
A LIGHT WENT OUT
A young man, nineteen years of age, going out with friends one night.
He paused to say "I love you Mom", and he hugged her very tight.
Then the phone call came, waking her from bed,
your son has been murdered, your son is dead.
She never would hug him again.
A tiny child, a precious babe, in the safety of his home.
While trying to explore his world, in a walker he did roam.
Then a shot pierced the night and ripped through the walls
and loved ones watched little baby fall.
A life just begun was now gone.
And a light went out in our world that day,
A precious life was torn away.
But we swear to you, you've not died in vain
For we shall rise from our anger and pain.
And we'll fight for you to see justice is done,
We'll fight for the living, the old and the young.
To make the world a safer place.
Where life can flourish and grow.
A woman with an unborn child has been murdered by her spouse.
A wife has planned her husband's death as he came back to the house.
A drunken man down the highway drives,
Because of him a little girl dies.
Our hearts cry out to them all.
And a light went out in our world that day,
A precious life was torn away.
But we swear to you, you've not died in vain
For we shall rise from our anger and pain.
And we'll fight for you to see justice is done,
We'll fight for the living, the old and the young.
To make the world a safer place.
Where life can flourish and grow.
And we'll fight for the children abused in their homes,
And women unsafe in the street.
And we'll fight for all races, the rich and the poor,
Till violence has met defeat.
And so we stand in love united, a candle in our hands.
For in our hearts their lives grow brightly,
And spread across the land.
And we'll carry their memories wherever we go.
And speak of them often so people will know
Our love for them never dies.
And a light went out in our world that day,
A precious life was torn away.
But we swear to you, you've not died in vain
For we shall rise from our anger and pain.
And we'll fight for you to see justice is done,
We'll fight for the living, the old and the young.
To make the world a safer place.
Where life can flourish and grow.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ALL VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME.
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Brian Hotchkiss was murdered June 28, 1989, and the Hotchkiss family wanted to do something positive in his name to keep his memory alive. Brian belonged to Troop 61, and his family thought it would be a nice idea to send a boy from that troop to camp every year. A plaque with Brian's picture and the name of every boy who received the award hangs in the Scout Room. The boy who receives the award is chosen by the Scout leader and junior leaders. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Brian's death, and the 10th presentation of the Brian S. Hotchkiss Memorial Camp Award. |
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