Shawn Arnold McKeough, Jr. (âBuggyâ), a Senior Airman in the U.S. Air Force, was a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. Shawn was born on April 12, 1995, and he passed away unexpectedly on Friday, March 15, 2019 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He was a 2014 graduate of Westbrook High School and a proud member of the U.S. Air Force. As a little boy, skating around the house with his Mickey Mouse roller skates yelling âgo-go,â Shawn quickly learned that he could drive his mum and dad crazy! Growing up he spent his days playing outside. He particularly enjoyed being on the lake and tubing. He was an athlete who enjoyed his time in Little League and Tuffy Football. Shawn grew to love ice hockey and played in middle and high school. He really enjoyed his time with friends and teammates. Shawn had an incredible sense of humor and quick wit, and people were always laughing around him! He spent many summer days at the family camp in Dobsie, camping on Sebago Lake and always had a camp soda in hand.
Shawn graduated basic military training in San Antonio, TX, and Air Transportation Apprentice School in Fort Lee, VA, before serving in Germany, Kuwait, South Korea and, finally, Little Rock, AR. Shawn wanted to see the world and had already traveled to France, Switzerland, Dubai and Thailand on vacations with his long-time girlfriend, Sarah Terrano. Ultimately, Shawn’s favorite place to be was anywhere with his parents, brothers and his friends. Shawn cherished relationships with his friends. He made every effort to come home and visit, often as a surprise, and he even made it home to attend the college graduation of his lifelong best friend, Kaleb Kent. After several years overseas, Shawn had recently been assigned to the Little Rock Air Force Base. He was looking forward to settling down in Arkansas with Sarah and their new puppies, Luna and Nova, and they were scheduled to close on their new house at the end of March. Shawn lost his life to a senseless act of violence just weeks before their new life could begin. No one should be surprised that he was defending those he loved, including complete strangers. That is who Shawn was: brave, honorable and courageous. His family is very proud he stayed true to who he was.
Shawnâs stone was selected by his parents, Lisa and Shawn, Sr.
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This will easily be one of the most difficult letters to write, simply because there is no possible way to place into words just how amazing and just how challenging this trek was to complete both mentally and physically. That being said, I couldnât be more happy, content, humbled by the privilege I was granted to bring Shawn McKeough, Jr with me on what I can only describe as the greatest adventure I have ever experienced in this lifetime.
On October 2nd, I departed from the summit of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park on a 168-mile, 11-day ruck across the state before ending this trek at the summit of Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park on Oct 12th.
Never did I expect so much support and visibility to what I was doing in honor of our fallen heroes than what I had received throughout every step of the way. The trip was long, grueling, and painful at times, but even on my worst days I had the company and continuous support of someone who â though having never met in this physical world â I now consider a great friend, and he stayed with me throughout the entirety of this journey. Without a doubt, Shawn was quite literally my rock and guiding star on the darkest of days. In addition to his most welcomed companionship, I was even more humbled by the fact I was able to bring him on his very first journey of TSP â one that will be the first of many in the near future. Truly, completely, this was an honor that I will forever cherish.
I began this journey with two distinct purposes:
1) To provide outreach and raise awareness throughout the community of our ever-important TSP mission; and
2) To raise funds so we, as an organization, might be able to continue with our growth and development intended to support more Gold Star families throughout the state, while also laying the necessary groundwork which will eventually bring this mission to places and families located outside the confines of our Maine borders.
But what it turned into was so much moreâŠ
As the trek continued, it wasnât only our communities who came together, it was everyone! Friends and Gold Star Families showed up and joined me at random places along the way to provide me with encouragement, motivation, and to help pound the pavement for a countless number of miles. It was during these times, talking with each about their loved ones and listening to their stories, that I would no longer think about the bitter cold temperatures, the incessant wind, the freezing rain, the physical pain I was experiencing throughout my body which was relentless and non-sympathizing by inherent nature. Instead I felt pride, fellowship, and gratitude, and this kept in the forefront of my mind the true reason I was doing this: to bring everyone together in celebration and appreciation that such incredible, selfless men and women exist in this world.
Not only was I blessed to have the company of so many great people join me in support during this trek â to include my own sons who will forever share this memory with me â but so many of our surrounding charitable organizations who also help to serve our military communities in their own special ways. I can only describe the true nature of this by looking back at how our country and our people came together, unified, following the attacks of 9/11 back in 2001, which is appropriate because it was with this love and unwavering support of country and each other that became the defining reason so many of our fallen heroes joined their respective armed services in the first place. I almost feel that as a community we had lost that feeling of love and support for each other somewhere along the way, but on these days I felt it once again, stronger and deeper than ever before.
In addition to all this, I would randomly be asked by strangers to come into their homes and listen to their stories of service and sacrifice as well. And as they walked me through their lifetimes of memories, they also listened intently as I was able to share Shawnâs story with them as well. Every single stranger I shared his story with requested to hold his stone, run their fingers across the engraving of his name, and sometimes even cried. We donât always need to know people first-hand or meet them in person to instantly fall in love with who they were, who they continue to be. But before I left, I would tell each and every one of them that while we may hold a heavy heart and feel a great sadness for the loss of such an incredible person, their willingness to listen to his story allows him to live on within each and every one of us. And that is MORE than a reason for us to celebrate.
It was the connections and interactions that I had the privilege of experiencing with so many people and the opportunities I had to teach them about Shawn that I loved most about this journey. That said, no interactions came close to the pride and pure joy I felt when on three separate occasions I was invited to share his story with the children of three different school districts along the way. Unfortunately, I could never justly describe the change in environment, usually noisy and wild, that immediately occurred as I shared Shawnâs story with each these students. Not a sound was heard from anyone. Not an inattentive child. Not a wandering mind. They each sat there and listened, respected, and understood the full weight of was being said. They got it. I was so grateful for this because it is these kids that are the next generation who will soon be responsible for carrying forth these legacies long into the future. The impact of Shawnâs story was so powerful and so meaningful to them that many convinced their parents to find me further down the road as I trekked on later in the following days with hopes of joining me for at least a small leg of this journey. And they did with both pride and conviction.
On the final day of this journey, I was fortunate enough to be joined by a 12-person team who wanted to be there in support as I finished the final steps of this 168-mile trek. It was cold, it was raining, and there were countless people passing us in the opposite direction who warned us of the treacherous conditions awaiting us at the summit of this great beast. We had (4) members of our team who were forced to turn back, though not by choice, but because they were fully set to continue climbing with me at all costs âat the expense of their own health and safety. I will be very honest about this climb up. If it werenât for Shawn being tucked away safely in my pack, I would have listened to my body, to all those who passed us after giving up on their own attempts at the summit, and succumbed to the cold, wet, miserable day that we were engulfed within. But Shawn was never going to let me quit. He reminded me that there was more at stake than these petty grievances that I had with both myself and my environment. He was TRULY the driving force which pushed me past all the elements trying valiantly to defeat me on this day. And it was solely because of him that I was able to eventually take those final few steps and rest my hand upon the sign at Katahdinâs summit.
This experience will forever be entrenched in my mind as one of the most amazing and meaningful feats that I have ever accomplished during my lifetime. Our mission was a complete and overwhelming success. I can only hope that to you â Shawnâs family â I was able to provide with as much hope, pride, and comfort as I could. I hope I did Shawn and his legacy the justice they deserve. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for inviting me into your family. Thank you for sharing Shawn with me. I will never forget the love and support that you have each extended to me. I can only hope that in this lifetime I will be able to give the exact same love and support back to you in return.
Thank you for everything.
Greg
Thank you for the incredible effort and completion of the mission. As Gold Star family Sue and I are unbelievably blessed to be part of the TSP family! Love you all!
Hi Greg! I knew his Dad. Reading about Shawn was moving and what you wrote above was incredible! You hit it when you said senseless violence but Shawn didnât think twice about defending those around him that were defenseless . Shawn & my friend Jay and of course so many more stood on character. Wholeheartedly served our country!
My name is Chris Douphinett and during Acadia this year i had the honor of carrying the stone and story of Senior Airman Shawn Mckeough Jr aka Buggy. which i might add is a pretty awesome nickname. I am a gold star family member who has been a part of the summit project since 2017 after my brother passed away in late 2016. I was excited because i would be carrying my brothers stone this weekend. However the world had other plans. through all my experience with the summit project i’ve learned that you don’t choose the stone the stone chooses you. This weekend was the perfect example of that for me. I have a friend i work with named Dominic who i soon found out was not only Sarah’s younger brother but that he would be carrying Shawn at Acadia. I was honored that i would get to show Dominic around for the weekend. Than i found out due to life that Dominic wouldn’t be able to come because of work. This is where i felt like the stone chose me. i arrived at smugglers den and immediately sought out Greg Johnson and asked to carry both my brother and Shawn. Greg however informed me that a hiker is only allowed one stone. I asked if i could carry Shawn instead of my brother since my brothers stone has been carried before and because he’s always with me. Greg said yes. And so began my journey with Shawn. During our time over the weekend i learned some cool things about him that i really related to. always being an outdoors person myself we had a sweet hike to share. i also spent a good amount of my childhood on a lake camping with my dad. i played sports since i could walk and always tried to find a way to make people laugh. But the major one for me was how he always looked out for others and that’s me to a T. I would like to thank Shawn’s family for raising such an amazing person. I truly wish we could have met. I think we would have a blast. Shawn thank your for your service and thank you for always protecting others. I’ll bring the camp soda when i see you. sincerely Chris Douphinett.
This is one of the most challenging hikes I have ever done before, and I am happy to say that I did it with Shawn McKeough, Jr. Hiking up Katahdin will be the most memorable time of my life. Doing the hike with Shawn, my dad, and Jeremy Aldrich was very special and incredible. Our goal for this hike was to summit all three peaks of Katahdin in one day.
We started our hike at Roaring Brook Campground. The first trail we took was Helon Taylor up to Pamola Peak. Helon Taylor was not easy at all. The second trial was the famous Knife Edge to Baxter Peak. Then Saddle and Hamlin Ridge to Hamlin Peak, then back down to the base by Chimney Pond Trail.
Knife Edge was one of the coolest parts of this hike. The weather at Knife Edge can change instantly. It can be sunny now, then it can be completely cloudy in just a few minutes. The views you can get are incredible on Katahdin. This hike I will never forget no matter what happens.
I carried Shawn Mckeough, Jrâs story and learned how he was a great guy, which opened my view on life. I know now that life is valuable and should be treated with respect and care.
Shawn Mckeoughâs childhood was very interesting. I think my favorite part was reading about how he had Mickey Mouse roller skates which made me think of how much I loved riding around on my skateboard when I was around 6-7 years old. The one thing I can relate to the most is going boating on Sebago Lake. My dad and I go fishing, tubing, and water skiing. These are memories that, like Shawn, I will always remember. We just winterized the boat for the winter. I was really hoping to get out on the lake one more time.
Just as my father & Shawn did, I hope to pursue a career in the military, I would like to join the Marine Corps. I want to make a difference and help others in need. I have heard my fatherâs stories of the Marines. He has said that it was his second favorite time of his life; his first is spending time with the family. I have heard that you need a great attitude to be in the Marines. From what I have learned from my father, boot camp is the hardest thing in the military.
I remember when my dad did the TSP 150-Mile Memorial Ruck last year carrying Shawnâs tribute stone. My father did his hike up Katahdin on October 12th, 2019. I did mine on October 5th, 2020 just one year later. When I was hiking up Katahdin, I felt like my father was handing me down a torch and told me âIt’s your turn now.â
The pain that I felt on that mountain was nothing compared to the pain the family holds on their shoulders every day. I want to thank the family for letting me tell Shawnâs story.
Hello, my name is Ryan Mortenson. I am the Cubmaster of BSA Pack 349 out of Buxton, Maine. This past weekend, Saturday August 22, 2020, I had the honor of escorting Senior Airman Shawn McKeough Jrâs Tribute stone on a hike of Bradbury Mountain. Not only was it an eye-opening experience for me, but I also got to share this experience with some of my scouts. I was joined by ten of them ranging in age from five to twelve. Before the hike started, I explained, we would be taking turns carrying a special bag. I had packed Shawnâs stone in a small backpack that the scouts could easily wear along with their own hiking gear. I explained to them that in the bag was a memorial stone for a fallen solider from Maine, and as we stopped for water breaks and shift changes I would tell them more about his life. Part of the Scout Oath is âDoing our duty to God, and our Countryâ which I explained that serving in any branch of our armed forces is the epitome of that oath. I asked them that while they carried Shawnâs stone to really think about the weight they were carrying. Think about these men and women in our armed forces, carrying all their equipment into battle. Think about the weight as an expression of loneness, being away from your friends, family, and pets for extended periods of time while they served our country. As we hiked, and stopped for water and snack breaks, I passed around a photo of Shawn that I found from a memorial tribute online. It shows him, standing in front of a Humvee draped with an American flag. As the scouts were passing around the picture, I began reading them information of Shawnâs life that I received from his profile on The Summit Projectâs website. Given the age of my scouts, I was honestly a little nervous to discuss something like death, but as the hike progressed I found that the fact that we were honoring someoneâs life seemed to out shine the sadness of death for many of them. On one of our last breaks before reaching the summit, one of the younger scouts asked how Shawn died. I had researched this myself and knew about the robbery and how he tried to stop the armed men. I glanced over the scouts sitting in front of me on their logs and rocks, and then up at their parents faces. I figured if anyone had an issue they would speak up. To my delight they all seemed eager to learn as much about Shawn as well. So I sat down, getting on their level and explained that Shawn had stopped at a gas station on his way home with some friends, when two men with guns came in and tried to rob the store with the people in it. I told them how Shawn bravely confronted the men in an attempt to save not only his friends, but everyone else in the store. Sadly though, one of the men shot him, and then the robbers ran away. There were several gasps, and silence for a bit. Then the same scout, who asked how Shawn died, looked at me and his dad and said âBut why, I donât get itâ. His dad and I then took turns with the help of the other parents to explain that, that is what the word senseless means. An act of violence like this is senseless, it doesnât make sense. This discussion went on for a few minutes, with a few questions asked, but I could tell that their innocent minds couldnât quite grasp the thought, which I am glad for; the innocence of childhood after all. I asked them to remember the Scout Law, the tenants we strive for to be good and show civility. I asked them to think of one of the tenants that exemplified Shawn in that final act that cost him his life. I will not lie, I was quite happy when there was a resounding response of âBraveâ issued by all the scouts.
As a father, son, and brother myself, I cannot imagine what you must have gone through when Shawn died. It is never easy, but for it to happen at such a young age. With so much time and life left to live. One news article I read had a quote from Shawnâs mother (I believe, sorry if Iâm mistaken) said that when he enlisted they knew that his choice might end in an early death, but not like this. I have the upmost respect for the men and women in our armed forces. Their willingness to put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we often take for granted, is remarkable. As a Cubmaster, I try to express the gratitude we should show all armed forces, public defenders, and first responders to my scouts. Shawn was a great man, and it was an amazing opportunity to learn about his life, and be able to share it with my scouts. Thank you all and God Bless.
For this yearâs TSP Acadia hike, I had the honor and privilege of getting to know and carrying the stone of Air Force Sr. Airman Shawn Arnold McKeough, Jr. who was also known as âBuggy.â He was born April 12, 1995, grew up in Westbrook, ME, and died March 15, 2019, in Little Rock, AR. He was a rambunctious child and an athlete that played football and ice hockey. He was very witty with a quick sense of humor.
Shawn went to basic training in San Antonio, TX and Air Transportation Apprentice School in Fort Lee, VA. He served in Kuwait, Germany, South Korea, and Little Rock. He loved to travel and vacationed in France, Switzerland, Dubai, and Thailand with his fiancĂ©e Sarah Terrano. He loved her, his family, and friends. He and Sarah were set to close on a new house in Arkansas at the end of March 2019 where they had decided to settle down when an act of senseless violence ended his life. No one, however, was surprised to find that Shawn had been killed trying to defend the lives of his fiancĂ©e as well as the lives of complete strangers. He was just that kind of guy. Brave, honorable, and courageous. He was shot and killed while trying to stop an armed robbery at a convenience store and gas station. He and Sarah were customers at this store when two armed gunmen entered trying to rob it. Shawn tackled one of the men and the other, then 17 year old Drequan Robinson, shot Shawn in the face, killing him instantly. Shawn McKeough, Jr. was only 23 years old. Drequan Robinson was just sentenced to 60 years in prison this past April 2021, having avoided the death penalty by taking a plea bargain. Shawnâs family was just kicking off a golf tournament in Bradenton, FL when they received the news of the sentencing. The tournament raised money for the Gary Sinese Foundation and The Summit Project.
This was my fourth stone that Iâve carried, and each one does indeed have a special connection. With Shawn, itâs âBeware the Ides of March.â For those not familiar with the Shakespearean line, the Ides of March is March 15, when Julius Caesar was murdered by being stabbed repeatedly by his âfriendâ Brutus. Caesar had been warned before to âbeware the Ides of March,â but did not heed the warning, and went about his business and the Senate meeting anyway only to be killed by people he thought he could trust. Shawn was murdered on March 15. I was officially diagnosed with cancer on March 15. Itâs not my favorite day, and when I saw that it was the date that Shawn had passed, it was quite a punch in the gut. There was our connection. Beware the Ides of March.
I will always remember Shawn just as his mother hopes we all will, as a hero who died protecting others.
On May 29 2022 I had the privilege of carrying the Honor Stone of Shawn A. McKeough to a summit in the Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area. This is located near Baxter State Park and Mount Katahdin. Our group of eleven hikers each had the honor of carrying the Stone and Story of a fallen Maine Hero. The six mile hike gave us plenty of time to appreciate the bravery of those Heroes.
Shawn was killed in a senseless act of violence as he tried (successfully) to prevent further harm to his girlfriend and strangers during a robbery. He was killed, but he did not die; he lives on in our hearts. I thank him and his family for the gift of getting to know him a little better.
His childhood found him with his family and friends outdoors more than in, and always thinking of others. Swimming, canoeing, fishing. Having hiked with him this past weekend I can picture him swinging on a homemade rope swing, yelling like Tarzan, letting go, and splashing into the lake. That’s my picture; it’s not something I know actually happened. I read that as a youngster he loved to watch the trains at Governor’s Restaurant, and I’m sure he enjoyed their motto of âLife is uncertain, eat dessert firstâ.
Thank you Senior Airman Shawn Arnold McKeough, Jr., USAF
MHANF
Steve Crowell, Hiker
While the stone itself was light, the weight of the story of Air Force Senior Airman Shawn A. McKeough Jr. was heavy to carry to the summit of Cadillac Mountain for The Summit Project on Sept. 24, 2022. Unlike many of Maineâs fallen heroes, Shawn wasnât killed in action and didnât pass due to injury or illness. He was murdered while trying to intervene and stop an armed robbery by cold blooded killers while he was protecting the lives of others.
Prior to the hike, I had the honor of learning about Shawn from his mother, Lisa, who told me thatâs the kind of person he was. Shawn was always thinking of others, and that was as evident in the way he lived as in the way he died.
Shawn grew up in Westbrook and loved spending time outdoors, including camping, so much so that he had considered a career with the Wardenâs Service before opting to join the military.
But when he made up his mind about something, there was little chance of changing it. That was the case with his decision to join the Air Force. He didnât let his family know he had made the decision to join until after he had signed up.
He served in Kuwait, Germany, and South Korea before finally being stationed back in the United States in Little Rock, Arkansas. He was preparing to buy a house and settle there with his fiancée, Sarah, in 2019, when he was murdered at age 23 while trying stop an armed robbery at a convenience store in Arkansas.
I wish I had the privilege of meeting Shawn, but I am honored to have had the opportunity to get to know who he was and the impact he had on those who knew and loved him.
Thank you to Shawn for your courage to stand up for what you believed in and for your sacrifice to protect others.
On August 24, 2023, I had the honor and privilege to carry the stone of SrA Shawn A. McKeough around the streets of Brunswick, ME during a team building event (we all carried a stone of a fallen Veteran). Although I had heard a little about TSP, the extent wasn’t realized until I held that stone in my hands. As a fellow USAF Veteran, I felt an immediate kinship, and as I read Shawn’s story, the gravity of why I was holding that stone set in. Without heroes such as Shawn, we would not be able to live as freely as we do. My heart goes out to Shawn’s family. You raised a remarkable and selfless young man. God Bless.
I was very honored to carry your stone and story at my first RUCK FOR THE FALLEN. While it was a challenge it was a welcome one to be able to carry your stone and reflect on what type of person you were and all you accomplished in your life.I will always keep a part of you in my heart and soul.