A Hero

Wednesday February 22, 2012 a local hero died. The 18 year old, Jeremy Tighe was killed in a vehicle accident. He would’ve turned 19 February 23. Jeremy was a volunteer fire fighter for McCutchanville. Brandon Cason was driving the fire truck late that night, Tighe being the passenger. They were returning from a run they had recently finished. Approximately being a quarter of a mile away from their station, with an unknown reason the truck hit a pole and flipped. Landing in a ditch on the passenger side, Jeremy was announced dead on sight. Brandon made it out okay, with minor wounds. I work at Island Rayz Tanning Center which is located inside of Bob’s Gym on the north side. Every day at some point the McCutchanville fire fighters would go workout. Most days they would come in and either tan or just sit inside and give me company while I was bored. Drew Brinker, also a volunteer, graduated with me from high school and was a good friend. So as Drew came in, the others did as well, including Cason and Tighe. I got to know them pretty well. Guys being guys, they would always come in and give me a hard time about my boyfriend and how I should “Lose the zero and choose a hero”. This was their little joke about being fire fighters. They always made me smile or laugh every time they came in. They were all definitely a good group of guys. I was at work Monday and I had seen Jeremy that day at the gym, I waved at him as he passed through the doors and went into the gym. I would’ve never thought that would be the last time I’d ever see him walk through those doors. Not being his best friend or family, it hit me so hard when I found out the news that he was no longer with us. I was bawling when I got the text. He had graduated the same year as me and was so young; he wasn’t even able to celebrate his 19th birthday. I didn’t understand any of it. I was angry and so sad that this happened. Then I thought about Brandon, and what he must be going through and feeling. The last thing I hoped for was that he blamed himself. It was a tragic accident and it could’ve been or happened to anyone. Then I thought about his family and it just hit me hard. His parents must be in so much pain. A part of me and my heart continues to hurt every day for Jeremy, his family, Brandon, his friends, and all of the fire fighters that were like brothers to him. It just proves how short life is and how fragile it can be. That’s why you should never take a moment of time for granted, and live every day like it is your last. No one knows when their time is to go. Now you can know that Jeremy is in a better place looking down on everyone who loved him and loved being around him. He is watching over his ‘brothers’ at McCutchanville. May you rest in peace, Jeremy.