On October 30,2010 was a tragic day. One of my good friends and high school teammates was killed in Afghanistan serving his country. It was not the best news to hear and makes you sick to your stomach when you hear of news like this. Not the best feeling, but it does make you think about something special, and that is “life”. Gives you a whole new perspective of life and what it means. Let me first explain a little about my buddy. His name is Brett Land and was a very talented kid. Him and I grew up not necessarly wrestling together but more like knowing who each other was because we would always see each other at tournaments. His dad and my dad would always chit chat with each other. But back to Brett. He was involved in all kinds of extracurricular activities while growing up and always excelled in the classroom. He was one of those kids who you hear about winning all of those national titles while growing up and thinking to yourself that you wanted to be like that and do the same and wondered how that person got so good. I will explain how he was so good. Brett was a competitor, a competitor at everything he did. Whether it was playing in the band or wrestling, Brett tried his hardest to be the best he could be. Brett lived in Porterville, Ca and in 8th grade decided to go to my high school in Bakersfield, Ca and attended Bakersfield High School. This is where I really got to know Brett. Every time he stepped on the mat Brett came to compete and to win. Now something about Brett he won just about everything when he was little and just about up to high school, so when he got to high school and lost he did not like and figured out how to win. Anyways, Brett went about wrestling like he did life. He gave it his best and left nothing on the table. Brett was never a high school state champion which I know was probably a disappointment for him, but I think that made him work harder each year and made him work harder in life towards what he wanted. Whether Brett was winning or losing a match he never stopped trying and would get back up if losing and try as hard as he could to win because that is what Brett was was a winner and a competitor and whatever happened at the end of a match he accepted because he gave it his best. And thats all you could ask from him because you know he was going to give you his best every time.
Brett was an interesting kid. Brett some times exaggerated some things such as stories or things he was going to buy or get. Which was somewhat humorous because the majority of the time he was being serious and those things actually did happen. When he said he wanted something or wanted to do something he did it. He let nothing hold him back. He was a good kid and gave his best in life. And that in a nutshell is what life means, to give your best.
After hearing about Brett I did not know what to think because I had not talked to Brett since high school, we had both gone separate ways but I would get occasional updates from my family or running into his dad on camping trips. I was more shocked than anything because after getting to know the kid you would think he was indestructible and it just couldn’t happen to someone like that. And right there is when I realized how special life is and to not take it for granted and to give it your best in life. Brett always knew what he wanted, he jumped around a lot from thing to thing trying stuff out. Such as trying college wrestling and then mma and then came to the conclusion he wanted to go into the military and that it would be a good fit for him. He was right in my opinion because in a sense in certain situations he could take matters into his own hands. Brett loved a challenge and would not back down from anything and figured serving his country is where he needed to be and what he needed to be doing and that he could protect his country and do it as best as he could. And thats what he did. He reminded me that if you want something then go out and get it. Nothing is going to be given to you without having to work for it. Life is short and you have to mold your own future. Give your best in life and that is all anyone can ask of you and you will be a happy and successful person. This is what hit me when I heard the news of Brett. A bunch of emotions ran through my head, sad, heartbroken, good memories, and a smile because Brett was a character and I was fortunate enough to have him as a friend and get to know him. He taught me a lot growing up about how to be a competitor and going to get what you want. In the end really think about what life means to you and what you want in life and what your place is in life. For Brett it was serving our country and he will always be remembered. RIP Brett Land you will be missed. Thank you for everything you have taught me and for being a great friend and teammate.