Remembering Mitch Beard On Memorial Day

  • Monday, May 30, 2016
  • Robert Hetrick

A little over two years ago, my friend Mitchell "Mitch" Beard passed away from injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident at 24 years old. This was not as it should be. Mitch had made it through war. He was a combat-decorated United States Marine who served in Afghanistan.

I first met Mitch when I was a college student at Tennessee Temple in 2004. Mitch’s parents, Steve and Jill Beard, were both professors at the university. Mitch was a high school student at Temple Academy. Tennessee Temple was a small university with few math education majors, and I was one of the few. I was asked by Mitch’s dad to tutor Mitch for his math class.

Mitch was an excellent athlete, had a lot of friends, and liked to have fun. I’m not sure he cared much for formal schooling, although he was intelligent. I think Mitch would have liked the Winston Churchill line – "I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught." Our tutoring sessions went well. Mitch’s math grade improved and I got to know him and his family in the process. I was only five years older than Mitch and we developed a good relationship.

When I graduated from college, my first job was teaching at Temple Academy. Mitch was now a senior and a student in my Geometry class. Mitch was sarcastic, hilarious, but always respectful towards me. He worked hard that year in Geometry and I remember him getting a good grade.

One of the biggest secrets about Mitch was how intelligent he was. It was not something he advertised, but if you knew him well it was obvious. Even as a teenager, in the right setting, he would talk to you about serious things. He was also a good judge of people, and had an acute understanding of human nature.

Mitch played football and baseball at Temple, and I served as an assistant coach on the baseball team. He was a solid baseball player and a good hitter. He exercised quiet leadership. I recall him getting onto teammates who fooled around in practice. No one ever came back at him. He was respected.

Mitch graduated from Temple Academy in May 2008 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps the next month. In October, Mitch went to Parris Island to complete the 13-week Marine Corps Recruit Training. Despite being hospitalized over Thanksgiving with pneumonia, he graduated from Recruit Training in January of 2009.

Mitch was stationed at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina until deployment in March 2010. From March to September, he fought and served in Helmand Province, Afghanistan at a forward operating base. After this tour, Mitch returned stateside, before being sent out again in February 2011 on a two-month tour with a Marine Expeditionary Unit. Following, Mitch returned to Camp Lejeune until leaving the service in 2012.

I did not grow up in a military family or serve in the military and I am embarrassed to confess that I did not know many individuals who were actively serving at the time. Mitch changed that for me. From the time he began boot camp, I would write him letters occasionally. He wrote me a letter from Afghanistan in 2010 that I still treasure to this day.

I looked up to Mitch. I often told others about my former student and friend who was a Marine. I have been told that the events of 9/11 stuck with Mitch and he felt it his responsibility to join the Marines and serve his country. I am grateful for his service and commitment to our country. He was and still is a hero.

Mitch’s first year back in civilian life was difficult for him. He had difficulty sleeping and experienced re-occurring thoughts of friends he had lost in war. Visiting a fellow Marine’s graveside on Memorial Day 2012, Mitch shook and cried bitterly.

Mitch worked for his father’s pool servicing company cleaning pools and detecting leaks. This was a saving grace in his life as it gave him meaningful work to do and also afforded him the opportunity to spend time with his father. He took pride in doing quality work on the pools of customers. He was complimented often for the detail and attention he showed when cleaning pools.

In mid-2013 Mitch was beginning to heal and was in a better place. That fall he took an English and math course at Chattanooga State and did well. He continued to work for his father servicing pools. He got his scuba certification and leak detection certification. He had thoughts of self-sufficiency, and talked with friends of starting his own pool cleaning business.

His life was then cut short. He passed away on Thursday, May 22, 2014. His funeral service and burial were fittingly on Memorial Day, May 26, 2014. I continue to miss him. He was very special. He lived more in 24 years than many do in 75. He is one of my heroes, and his life continues to be an inspiration for me and for many others as well.

On this Memorial Day 2016, family and friends will gather together to remember Mitch’s life. They will share stories and memories. There will be laughter and tears. They will remember a life that was ended too soon and will look forward to seeing him again in the Kingdom to come.

Robert Hetrick

Latest Headlines
Opinion
Democratic View On Top State Senate Issues - March 18, 2024
  • 3/18/2024

Campbell bill seeks to save lives by studying suicide trends in Tennessee 3 p.m. Senate Regular Calendar — SB 1787 , by Sen. Heidi Campbell, would require state health officials to produce ... more

The Odor Of Mendacity - And Response (2)
  • 3/16/2024

The Fulton County judge, Scott McAfee, overseeing the Fani Willis prosecution of Donald Trump and eighteen other defendants has spoken. In response to a motion by defendants to remove Willis ... more

Capitol Report From State Rep. Greg Vital For March 15
  • 3/15/2024

General Assembly confirms new Tennessee State Supreme Justice Members of the General Assembly confirmed the appointment of Mary L. Wagner to the Tennessee Supreme Court in a joint session ... more