Ryan'sWay
Service Before Self
Ryan Trejchel
1999 - 2021
Service Before Self
Ryan always thought of everyone else before himself. He could often be found helping out family, friends, and neighbors. He provided weekly assistance to a disabled gentleman by helping him shop and take care of his house. But most importantly Ryan took time to talk to him. That was the thing that set Ryan apart from most people, he would make time for others. Whether it was taking time to listen to someone having a bad day, or stopping along the road to change someone's tire. He constantly made things better for other people.
Ryan always thought of others, so as his parents we decided to do something to honor his
memory. So we contacted his commanding officers at McDowell ROTC to see what we could do for their program. This is the response we received from Major Nygaard:
Sir,
Chief and I have some "counter-edits" to pare it down a little. But chief is going to handle that. I wanted to take a minute to tell you of one of my last memories of Ryan.
He was a senior my first year teaching and always struck me as a kid that was more mature emotionally than most. We had a very nice rapport. He graduated and went off to do his thing and every now and then I'd see him around and we'd catch up. One day I took my kids to Waldameer. Both of my sons have autism and it is quite significant. So an outing at Waldameer, or anywhere else, is a whole different ball of wax than what most parents are accustomed to, which mostly means more stress for me and my wife. While we were at Water World, Ryan was lifeguarding. So we caught up and when we were done, rather than relax like all the other parents in the enclosed area – because I can't with my boys – I went on my own watch duty of sorts. And Ryan told me to take it easy... that he'd follow the boys around and keep a watchful eye. And somehow, I just knew that he would... that I could just sit for a change. So I sat down, and he just did his normal lifeguard duties, but he just happened to be doing them from wherever my boys happened to be. It was the most I've ever been able to relax at an outing like that. I'll never forget that gift he gave me.
I look forward to honoring your son at this year's supers review.
V/r,
Maj N
So... Do something for someone else. Pay it forward when someone else does something for you. You may be surprised on how good it will make you feel!
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
