ASKING FOR HELP FOR PTSD REVEALS STRENGTH, NOT WEAKNESS

Brian was a Specialist in the US Army, KY National Guard, Company B, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry Regiment. He served in Operation Enduring Freedom. I was told the plane Brian was flying in crashed just after take-off, killing the pilot, him, and the passenger. It was the most horrific day of my life. I had lost my only son. The air was sucked out of my entire body, my heart was broken, my soul black with mourning. What was supposed to be one of the most joyous days in Brian's life was destroyed in the blink of an eye.

Bravo748 is named in honor and remembrance of Brian – a beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew, cousin, uncle, firefighter, pilot, musician, friend, KY National Guardsman. Brian never knew a stranger, and his heart was filled with love for others, empathy, compassion, and kindness. He always had a smile. It is because of Brian that I truly understood what it meant to love another person, love America, appreciate our freedom, and have respect for all military active duty and veterans. The outpouring of friends, family, military, firefighters, and people we didn’t even know at the wake and funeral was tremendous. The funeral procession was 2 1/2 miles long.

For over three years, I was lost. I lost sense of my family, work, friends, absolutely everything – except my faith. My faith in Christ pulled me through, and my faith sustains me today. My healing does not end – it ebbs and flows. In those early days, I made a promise to Brian that I would make sure he was never forgotten. I had no idea how I was going to do that, but I knew a plan would be revealed in its own time.

Bravo748 has several different and personal meanings. Bravo is for Brian – a brave and daring young man who was always serving others. 748 represents several meanings: N748CH was the plane’s tail number; 7 represents Brian's and my lucky number and it represents a sign of divine perfection and completeness in the Bible; 4 represents Brian’s age on November 20 – he was 24 and 4 signifies direction – North, South, East, West, as well as up, down, left, right – I completely lost my sense of direction and time on the day Brian died; 8 represents infinity – I will love him forever, and in the Bible, 8 represents a new beginning.

In May 2016, I was fortunate to meet Bobby Henline, 4 tour Iraq/Afghanistan veteran. He was blown up by an IED on that 4th tour, burnt over 38% of his body – mostly his head, face, neck, and arm. Bobby came to Kentucky and worked with me in Operation Immersion for an entire week. After hearing his story of resilience, faith, and desire to want to help others, a plan was beginning to reveal itself. After attending a few events with Bobby and other wounded warriors, the plan became a work in progress. In July 2016, Bobby and I began working together to create a platform to highlight Veteran Speakers and Entertainers – those who want to continue giving back to their country. Veterans have important, inspirational, and educational messages to deliver – messages that will motivate people to change their thought processes, not be ashamed to reach out for help, and resources to deal with their own issues, and seek a goal of recovery. Veterans are also brilliant resources for business and industry – mission first, priorities get accomplished. Bravo748 Speakers Bureau was born August 2016.

Amazingly, Bravo748 has several different meanings between Bobby and me. Bravo, of course, is military for “B” – Bobby and Brian. 748 takes on even more significance: 4/7 is Bobby’s Live Day; 4/7 is my Birthday. 8 represents our infinite love of others and our own personal fight to not give up – we continue with new beginnings.

Bravo748 Speakers and Entertainers lay bare the pain in their souls to share their path to healing and encourage others to do the same. Life is for living. We can’t go backwards, even though we desperately want to.

My name is Jamie Burton and Brian is my son.

Brian, I love you forever.

Mom