Because of the Brave

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Cheshire, CT
Because of the Brave

Because of the Brave works to honor our Military, support first responders and educate our youth.

09/11/2026

09.11.01 - a day that changed our country forever.

We remember the lives lost, the families left behind, and the first responders who ran toward danger to save others. We remember their bravery and their sacrifice.

No day shall erase you from the memory of time.

07/21/2026

Happy Birthday to Cheshire native and Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Harvey C. Barnum Jr.!

Thank you for your sacrifice, your dedication to this country, and for the example you’ve set through honor, integrity, and courage. We hope you have an amazing birthday filled with good health, happiness, and the appreciation you’ve more than earned.

We’re especially excited to see you this September for the opening of Barnum Elementary School. It’s going to be such an honor to celebrate with you and recognize the incredible impact you’ve had and continue to have on so many lives.

Happy Birthday, Colonel Barnum!

06/27/2026

It was truly an honor to spend time with Sgt. First Class Norman Bickell, a 96-year-old U.S. Army Korean War-era veteran.

Norman's lifetime of service and dedication is nothing short of inspiring. As a 70-year member of the American Legion, his commitment to fellow veterans and his community is a legacy that spans generations.

It was our privilege to present Norman with a Because of the Brave t-shirt, along with a Homes for Heroes check presented by Phil Giampietro.

Pictured (left to right): American Legion Commander Don Falk, VFW Commander Jeff Falk, Homes for Heroes Realtor Phil Giampietro, and seated, Sgt. First Class Norman Bickell.

Thank you, Norman, for your service, your sacrifice, and for the example you continue to set. It was an honor to meet you and hear a small part of your remarkable story.

🇺🇸 Home of the Free Because of the Brave.

05/30/2026

Two years later, we remember.
TFC Aaron Pelletier
Connecticut State Police
EOW: 5.30.24

On December 17, 2015, Aaron graduated from the State Police Academy and was assigned to Troop H in Hartford, where he would later serve on the Hartford FBI Task Force from 2018–2021. Aaron graduated from the Connecticut State Police K9 Academy as part of the 223rd Patrol K9 Class in December 2021 with his K9 partner, Roso. In February 2022, Aaron and K9 Roso became certified as a Fi****ms Detection Team. He was also assigned to the Tactical Team as a canine handler.

Above all else, Aaron was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend who was deeply loved and will never be forgotten.

Aaron’s legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the family he loved, and the sacrifice he made. Never forgotten. #536 💙

05/29/2026

On Friday, 5/29, Session 27 of the New Britain Police Academy ran 5.36 miles in honor of TFC Aaron Pelletier, who was killed in the line of duty on 5/30/24. The distance was chosen to represent his badge number, #536, serving as a powerful reminder of the impact he continues to have on those who wear the badge and those preparing to serve.

The memorial run was organized by Because of the Brave, with the support of some amazing officers as well. Because of the Brave, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting first responders and their families, also donated apparel for the recruits and training officers participating in the run.

Honor them. Say their names. Tell their stories. Keep their memories alive. We owe it to them to remember who they were, what they stood for, and the lives they touched. As long as their stories are told, their legacy lives on.

And never forget what a privilege it is to be alive and able to move your body. Every step we take is one that someone else no longer can. Work hard. Push yourself. Be grateful for the opportunities in front of you. The chance to wake up each day, challenge yourself, and pursue a purpose greater than your own comfort is a gift, one that should never be taken for granted. 💙

05/06/2026

Massachusetts State Police Trooper Kevin Trainor gave his all as a first responder.

Trooper Kevin Trainor, 30, was killed in the line of duty early Wednesday morning, May 6, 2026, after a wrong-way driver struck his cruiser head-on on Route 1 in Lynnfield.

Kevin’s shift ended at 2 a.m., but as he headed home, reports of a wrong-way driver came in. He immediately responded around 2:03 a.m. to the call, because that’s what you do when lives are on the line. In a blink of an eye, those reckless actions stole Kevin from Barbara, his mother; Jessica, his fiancé; and his siblings, Melissa, Matthew, David, and Steven.

Kevin was the kind of person you wanted by your side, both at work and in life. After starting as a correctional officer in Essex County, he graduated from the 88th Recruit Training Troop in 2023, quickly distinguishing himself. First responders put their lives on the line every day, knowing that despite their training, bad things can happen.

Kevin’s dedication to public service was a family trait. His commitment was evident, and his career, though brief, was a testament to his service. His siblings—an EMT, a firefighter, and a physician’s assistant, among others—stand as a testament to a family deeply rooted in serving others.

Trooper Kevin Trainor, you will never be forgotten.

03/29/2026

8 years later, we remember Trooper First Class Kevin Miller who made the ultimate sacrifice, on March 29, 2018.

His patrol car collided with the back of a tractor-trailer traveling slower than other traffic in the right lane of the interstate.

TFC Miller was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who had served with the Connecticut State Police for 19 years and was assigned to Troop C.

Trooper First Class Kevin Miller, you will never be forgotten.

Address

Cheshire, CT

Website

https://www.bcofthebrave.org/

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