The Eastmoor Airman

You know when you don't know someone, only hear about them because they've gone forward, yet you had so much in common? That is how I felt when I heard the tragic news of Tyler Simmons' passing. Tyler Simmons is more than what is being reported about him. The algorithm has caught the basic facts of his life and have flooded us AND his family with a superficial connection to a real being. A being of service. I never met him but I know 64 people who did and every single one of them has spoke highly of him on social media.

The same kid who used to launch footballs took off toward those horizons. The mind of a teenage quarterback, so much goes on. Your mood and mental health attached to the outcome of a game. I wonder what thoughts were on Tyler's mind during his '14 season. He would graduate Eastmoor in 2015, working to PROVIDE security at various places for three years before getting convinced to join the military. I am always interested on how much convincing it takes for someone when the military offers bonuses but the Air Force doesn't offer bonuses frequently. You're getting a great quality of life. I don't think he took much convincing, he comes from a family blessed in service. Both his parents are Praise and Worship leaders.

May your thoughts between these text also lie with them. These gems of souls have spent their lives in worship and service, so much so it trickled down onto Tyler. He was just here. In Columbus. He wasn't even in Iran. It wasn't even a missile strike. We have a local man who has lived his life in the practice of discipline pass away in a plane crash. May he smile when Kobe welcomes him.

To you who still breathe, heed. Tyler had hobbies. Not only was he active in the grown folk SkateZone community, but he played violin. And this is from a guy who didn't know him. Do more with your life for the people you'll never meet who never can. They were amazing. They seen the world in ways you have yet.

Tyler Simmons was an unsung hero. His mission was to protect and he executed that mission while the noise of life washed on. And when he left, he made sure those who didn't know him knew what he cared about. Be Tyler Simmons.