Eric A. Cole, 29 of Hermon, Maine, died by suicide on July 13, 2018.Eric graduated from Hermon High School, class of 2007. He began his career in the military enlisting even before graduation. Upon graduation he entered the Air National Guard. He rose to the military rank of Master Sergeant, as a Logistics Management Specialist, in just 10 short years. Eric was a classic American Airman. He loved his country, his state and his unit. He had passion for people and a drive and skill to execute his career missions with flawless accuracy and efficiency, being recognized and respected for this frequently. Beyond this he was the kind of man that everyone knew and loved on base. He was known for his smile, generosity and willingness to drop everything and help someone in need.In his personal life, Eric enjoyed physical activity and was a fitness instructor in the community. During his high school years he was an accomplished wrestler holding a multitude of titles and earning a record for takedowns. He loved pushing the limits of his body, becoming an avid runner and even building obstacles, like salmon ladders, in his back yard just for the challenge. He worked hard to achieve new PRs in his PT tests on base and weight lifting and running goals off base. He was strong and fast and extremely capable physically. He was also extremely smart and had a mathematical and logical mind. He loved a challenge of any kind and also loved to challenge just about anything. He loved music and playing cribbage and engaging in anything competitive and quick witted.Eric loved spending time playing and adventuring with his family. He was an amazing, devoted father to his three young sons and stepfather to his two lovely girls. He knew each of them for all of their uniqueness and took such care and time with each of them. Eric had a way of bringing such an energy, humor and joy to his home and family, as well as to his friends and fellow airmen and women.Eric and his fiancé Sarah had a deep and contagiously happy love together. They were inseparable and utterly devoted to one another. He would comment that Sarah was his peace and he was certainly hers.His stone was chosen by his fiancé Sarah Thibault and her two girls, Eric’s step daughters, Leah and Avery, from a garden patch Eric and Sarah built in the yard of their Hermon home to plant blueberry bushes he had bought for her birthday one summer. They gathered the stones from around the yard and placed them there together. Sarah and the girls feel that there was really no more important place to him than his home where he was able to make loving, happy peaceful memories with those he loved the most, his family. They also believe that really Eric chose this stone already on his own and laid it there for them to gather and engrave.
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To Eric and I’s Dear Children, His Sister Carrie, Father and Step-Mother Eric Sr and Diana, His Mother Melinda and the Many Loving Aunts and Uncles, Grandparents, Cousins and Base Family,
On September 29th, 2018 I had the extraordinary honor and distinct privilege of carrying the stone and sharing the story of my sweet love and fiancé Eric, Air National Guard Master Sergeant of the 101st Air Refueling Wing in Bangor, high up to the summit of Cadillac Mountain for its first ascent. I wanted to share with you all the gift of this experience.
Upon arriving at base camp the night before, I was welcomed by the most open and kind people. In their eyes and compassionate comforting embraces I could see and feel a welcoming you only experience with family. Introductions were made and stories were shared setting a tone for the weekend ahead.
Seeing Eric’s stone engraved for the first time after sending it off from our home weeks before was emotional. The story was told of how the engravers inadvertently engraved the stone upside down from the way we chose it to stand or lay. I know this was a hard bit of news to break to me but it was received with light heartedness. You see anyone who knew Eric would be able to tell you that if you told him he had to go right, he was going to go left….and apparently if you told him to go up, he was going to go down. ‘No coincidences’ is a phrase heard repeatedly around the stone display in the tent and throughout the weekend and in the case of the engraving of Eric’s stone this couldn’t be more true. The stone turned out exactly as it should have and could not be more beautifully representative of him.
Saturday morning, as we got up and gathered, the sky was beautifully blue and the air was crisp. The sun was shining bright and mother nature did not disappoint in the day she presented to our hikers and fallen heroes. Our team, Team Tarn, hiked to the summit of Dorr, through a deep gorge and then finally summited Cadillac Mountain.
During the hike I had several moments of reflection, quiet breakdown and immense gratitude. This heavy pack of mine reminded me so much of the feeling of grief that I now carry with me every moment and how so often while carrying that I try and show a brave face. I couldn’t help but wonder about what the weight that Eric carried with him, for so many years, felt like. How heavy it must have felt. How hard he tried to conceal it and show a strong face to others while carrying it. Knowing Eric it would be for the sake of those that he loved, his boys, the girls, his larger family and friends, me, that he would do so, to protect us and try to give us the best version of himself. The climb was challenging and yet it was nothing compared to the difficulty of his.
What a treasure he was however. I could never communicate how eternally grateful I am to have had him in our lives and yet even after losing him just over two moths prior his gifts to us keep appearing. For example, along the way small conversations between our team members happened, sharing about the heroes that were heavy on our mind, but also about each of us, what had brought us to that day together. What a gift I felt it was to have that opportunity. How heavy it felt that the gift of that day bestowed on us by our fallen veterans was at such a cost and yet still how lucky we were and still are to have experienced or learned their stories and carry them with us.
Once we summited the views of the Atlantic were nothing short of breathtaking. How fitting it was to be at such a height, so close to the sky above, with so much beauty all around to then be able to sit together in a quiet spot to share the stories of our honored ones. Words can’t accurately convey the deep emotion experienced telling his story and listening to the others. How amazing it was, I thought, that many of the hikers had never met the hero they were speaking about and yet you would have thought, with the care, attention and detail they spoke, that they had spent their lives with them. What a treasure and honor to witness these compassionate, dedicated volunteers speak. Beyond that, and without being able to give justice to the honor and awe I felt, hearing each of their stories was life changing. The common threads of generosity, selflessness, heroism, camaraderie, sacrifice, accomplishment and really pure love was uncanny. This was truly such an incredibly moving and powerful experience and made me want to aspire to elevate my self even a fraction as much as these profound individuals lost.
I always feel that Eric is right with me. I hear his voice, can imagine his expression or reaction to what I am experiencing, feel his thinking or emotion. As I walked away from the sacred circle, I felt as though I had many other amazing and incredible souls walking with me too. I carry them with me now as well, along with Eric and have already shared some of what I learned about them with others…and so they live on and we are able to continue to keep their light going, continue to honor and remember them. Like a stone dropped into a pond, its ripples move out in all directions. These fallen men and women’s stories, lives and gifts now are being continually rippled and their soft waves are continuing to enrich others. What comfort it brings to know now that Eric will be amongst these heroes. His gifts and impact will live on and on and I am so grateful to experience that after losing him, so grateful to be able to carry on the lives and gifts of other Maine Fallen Heroes and so incredibly thankful for the gift of family in The Summit Project that Eric and all of the others before him, and sadly after him, will give to the girls and I and all that loved him and his honored fellow heroes.
Thank you to TSP and all of the volunteers and fellow Gold Star Families for this experience. It will certainly not be my last.
Much Love, Utter Gratitude and Heartfelt Respect to all of you,
Sarah Thibault
To ANG MSgt Cole:
For the last six years my little boy’s photo has hung on a wall next to the photos of your three little blonde haired boys. They’ve been “cousins,” despite never meeting, and family by virtue of love. Your sister, my sister-in-law, loved them equally and brought them together in this big extended family. However, in July, as I stood next to your brother-in-law (my step-brother) and watched your family’s worst nightmare unfold, I looked around and realized that I knew exactly two people in the vast crowd that had gathered to honor your life and service. It was humbling and I was disappointed to think I’d never met you. And, now that chance had passed. I silently swore to myself that day, as I was a witness to my first full military burial, that I would come to know you through the eyes of those who loved you most and ensure your memory was never forgotten. Long after your family and friends were gone from this Earth, I vowed to ensure that Eric Cole, Jr. was a name that continued to be said aloud and honored for great service to our nation and ultimate sacrifice.
As often happens with things meant to be, I had very little control over the coming events. You must have known your fiancé Sarah would need to be wrapped in love and understanding, because before I knew it she was reaching out to get involved with TSP. I had originally planned to do my online research and carry a stone from the woods in your honor. I would silently carry you in my heart and in my pack along with Kevin Balduf, my assigned TSP hero for the hike. But, in order to truly fulfill my promise to you I needed to know more than what I had found online. Feeling overwhelmed and scared with the potential that I might add more hurt to your already grieving family, I texted your sister, Carrie, to help me better understand you as a child and big brother, and I messaged Sarah to help me know you better as a man and partner in life. They both offered me a candid and honest account of who you were. I learned that you “loved hard” and that you were “all in” when you loved someone. You were dedicated and never wavered when you were working toward a goal. You believed in tough love and challenged the ones you loved most to be better and do better. You loved cribbage and were incredibly good at it. You were older than your years and had a keen understanding of what was truly important in life. You were a brother while also being a parental figure to your sister at a very young age. Carrie said, “He taught me how to handle myself, how to protect myself and how to stand up for myself.” You took it upon yourself to coach children and help them be the best, well-rounded people they could be. You were so loved by everyone who knew you, and by all accounts you were a damn fine soldier. Sarah told me you “didn’t bleed blue” and that you left your job at work when you came home at the end of the day. With such a dedication to both service and family I am glad you struck a balance between them. I wish I could have trained under you as a fitness instructor. I know you wouldn’t have tolerated my whining and would have pushed me to be the best version of myself.
The weekend of the hike in Acadia Sarah brought Piper, the puppy your family had adopted just a week before you died. As little “Pipes” walked among us with her leash tethered to Sarah’s waist it was easy to tell she had a favorite human and was on a mission of her own to stay by Sarah’s side. Sarah said you were enamored with Piper the moment you held her. I can see why. Sarah hiked one trail up Cadillac with your official TSP stone, and I hiked up the Southridge Trail with the Spirit Stone engraved “Family”. It brought me peace and happiness to know that you were being honored on 50% of the Mountain that day. The hike was spectacular with the fall foliage and we couldn’t have asked for better weather. Our team was strong and showed great courage and perseverance to make it to the Summit. I wore my Team Eric shirt from the Suicide Awareness event I had participated in with Sarah earlier in the month, and I carried with me the messages I had received from Carrie and her husband Jason. And, most precious to me, I held their thanks in my heart for honoring you.
I am incredibly honored to have hiked with your story and to have carried the Family stone in your name. I hope in the years to come your stone serves to educate hundreds on the importance of suicide awareness, and I hope Sarah’s involvement in TSP has brought her a moments peace. Thank you for guiding her to us. We truly are family now, Eric. For that, and for your service, I’m forever grateful.
Thank you all. MHANF.
Four months and 8 days ago a brave man gave up a valiant fight, hopefully finding the inner peace he so desperately wanted and deserved. I never had the chance to meet MSgt. Eric Cole Jr, but I truly wish I had the chance to see his smile in person. Instead I have built my adoration for him based on stories from his loved ones, friends, and co-workers. Consistently I hear phrases such as he was a tremendous asset to our Wing, he was great person, friend and dad. I find it impossible to look at a picture and imagine what a horrid battle was waged behind that handsome smile and the ultimate tole it took on this courageous and proud mans life.
I had the distinct honor of carrying Eric’s stone and story in the Veteran’s Day Remembrance 4 Mile Road Race put on by our local YMCA on November 11, 2018… Veteran’s Day. When I was asked to carry this stone I could not think of a bigger honor or a better way to spend Veteran’s Day. The moment I picked up this stone I immediately felt two things. First was the weight, I felt the physical weight of the stone in my hands but I also Eric’s weight. The heaviness of the pain he must have carried. I allowed myself a moment to process the physical and emotional weight and then something happened. The physical weight of the stone was there but the emotional weight was lifted and replaced with a sense of peace, a smile, a light. I wasn’t sure how the run would go after allowing life to get in the way and not training for the event. I was nervous. But at that moment I realized that Eric was there with me and I wasn’t running alone, he was alive in me, my footsteps were his footsteps. For 4 miles his spirit lived on in me and allowed me to cross that finish line after proudly running for 4 miles with him. After the race I took my time putting Eric’s stone back on the display. That goodbye was a hard one for me but it is a very strong reminder of how we must go on. When someone we love physically leaves us, it is not the end. Eric is still with his loved ones in their daily lives. I truly believe he is looking own on everyone and keeping a watchful eye, guiding them all through the painful journey they are now facing.
When I put that stone down my time with Eric did not end. It will never end. Eric’s life mattered, Eric’s life still matters. It matters not only because he was a 10+ year Veteran who proudly served his country but also because of what an amazing friend, father, fiancé, and co-worker he was to all those who shared their lives with him. I will proudly share Eric’s story with anyone who will listen in hopes that not only his memory will live on but that maybe it will encourage others to reach out to their loved ones who may be fighting battles we never realize.
To the family of Eric, thank you engaging with The Summit Project so that myself and others may learn Eric’s story and help continue to keep his memory alive. My life has been brought more meaning and smiles by having the opportunity to honor not only Eric, but all of you as well. You will ALL forever be in my heart.
To the family of ANG MSgt. Eric Cole, Jr., I am sincerely sorry you lost your loved one. He sounds like he was an amazing person. Thank you all for your service.
To the family of MSgt Eric Cole, Jr.
What a privilege to carry the stone of this young man on a hike up Blue Hill Mountain and then again the next day in the Veteran’s Day Race at the Ellsworth YMCA this year. As I read through his story and looked at the pictures of him and his family, two things were very clear to me. He loved his family and he loved his country. I pictured him as a true soldier in every sense of the word. His drive for excellence and willingness to do everything he possibly could to achieve it is apparent in his military record. He represented his country with such honor and courage. The look on his face in the pictures of him with his beautiful family portrays a true family man and it is apparent how happy he was with them and how much love he had for them. Unfortunately his story is one of personal struggle as well, yet through this struggle he still managed to be successful in his career and show his family how much love he had for them. As I carried the stone, I tried to imagine how he must have felt in his darkest moments and the weight that he carried with him every day while still managing to carry on with such dignity. I felt a great sadness as well as empathy for those he left behind. It is so difficult to lose a member of your family so young. One of the most difficult things is the fear that they will be forgotten. Through programs such as this, may you be reassured that Eric is not forgotten. That his story will be told for years to come and that he will be remembered for the wonderful, selfless man that he was. Thank you for sharing his story and thank you for your service MSgt Eric Cole, Jr.
I was lucky and so honored to carry Eric’s stone on a trek covering 6 peaks in the Adirondacks as well as during the 2021 TSP at ANP event. I feel as though I connected with Eric in different ways during those very different hikes.
In the Adirondacks, I imagined the fitness instructor in Eric would appreciate the strenuous climbs and all out physical exertion to reach the summits. I channeled his willingness to challenge himself and those around him, to be better (but have fun while pushing hard!)
At ANP, the plan to hike Cadillac was changed due to possible thunder and lightning. Instead of a strenuous hike, we had a peaceful walk to nearby Echo Lake. The walk provided the opportunity to connect with so many others in the group and listen to their ‘why’ of being part of TSP. There was so much love in that group! I was reminded of a line in Eric’s bio, where the love between Eric and his fiancé Sarah was described as “deep and contagiously happy.” That line makes me smile and tells me so much about Eric in just a couple words. I felt even more connected to Eric during this walk, surrounded by people who love hard and work hard to make sure that Maine heroes are not forgotten.
I will continue to carry Eric with me and share his story. He has taught me so much – more than I can truly express.
Each hike is as different as the individuals whose memory I carry, and this hike was no different. Carrying Eric’s stone brought a whole new meaning to the day, unlike any other experience.
Eric’s story came to me several years ago. It came through tears, through that raw agony of fresh loss, told from a heart that was beyond broken. It came as I shed my own tears, felt myself being pulled into the deep end of grief and despair. Through these stories, I already knew Eric, his capacity for deep love and devotion, his energy and excitement for life.
When I found that I’d be carrying his stone, I learned more. I learned that he was a fun and dynamic individual. That he was a role model, a helper, a motivator, that solid individual that always had your back. I learned that he strived for excellence, both in his military career and his personal life. He took every opportunity to better himself, and lift others up. He was an exceptional man that people felt lucky to know. I learned that he loved to make others laugh. And I read the painfully real words that ‘no one saw it coming … he left us.’
I shared the story of Eric life to my hiking group that day. I told stories that painted a picture of what an outstanding man he was, dedicated and loving and full of life. How he was successful and active and crushing his goals. Stories that made everyone in the group laugh at his antics, just before I said the words that no one expected: he ended his own life. The point struck home for everyone there that day. I tried to share the sentiment of Eric’s story. That no one knows how others might be struggling, what demons they battle. That we all should approach others with kindness and compassion. That it costs us nothing to tell people when they inspire us, or when we appreciate them. To express our admiration or gratitude. To say the words and build each other up.
Eric’s tragic story touched others in the group and the conversation about suicide continued. How if you sense someone is struggling, ask how things are going, invite them to talk to you. Just like we don’t know what others are truly struggling with, we also don’t know what impact our positive words can make.
To Eric’s family and loved ones: I want to thank you genuinely for sharing Eric with us. My heart is still swollen with sadness that he is gone, that he struggled, that his future, destined to be great, was cut short. Suicide is a cruel tradgedy, and a difficult topic. But it needs to be talked about. Eric’s story brought meaning and reinforced the message that we as humans need to do our part to take care of each other, friends, family and strangers alike. That we need to destigmatize suicide and normalize working on improving our mental health just like working out at the gym or going to school to learn. Thank you for sharing Eric’s story. I know it isn’t easy.
To the family of MSgt Eric Cole, Jr.:
On Saturday, July 30th, 2022, I had the honor of carrying Eric’s stone to the top of Mt. Agamenticus. I had never heard of The Summit Project until it was presented as an opportunity where I work. As an avid hiker and someone who likes to give back and help those when I can, I decided this would be a great way to be able to honor someone who so valiantly dedicated their life to protect the freedom of my own.
As I researched Eric, it was evident that he was an amazing man who had a big heart for those around him. He seemed to be selfless in regards to the people he loved the most. Eric was the type of person you’d be proud to have in your corner. It is hard to imagine the struggle that Eric was dealing with, but as the rock weighed on my back, I tried to do just that. The courage that Eric displayed must have been exemplary for him to be fighting a battle on the inside, while maintaining such a selfless personality on the outside. It is evident that the demons were not at all the true person Eric was. He was the family man, the adventurer, the hard worker, the friend, and the kind and loving soul that he let the world see. It was such an emotional moment for me to speak about, and I felt like Eric was right there beside me when I shared his story. He was truly the valiant, kind soul that everyone knew him to be. He is exactly the type of person this world needs more of. By sharing his story, I am able to help carry on his memory and keep his light shining in a world that can sometimes be a little dark. I am truly grateful to have had this experience, and to share the story of Eric. May he rest in peace, and may the world never forget the amazing person that Eric was.
To the loved ones of MSgt Eric A. Cole, Jr.
On Saturday September 24, 2022, I had the distinct honor to carry Eric’s stone on my first Summit Project hike. Our trail to the summit was West Face; the most challenging and rewarding because of the incredible views. Due to a hurricane moving up the east coast, the weather forecast for this day was high winds and therefore expected to be very cold for this time of year. Because of this, I prepared mentally as well as with several different options of clothing. The weather turned out to be absolutely beautiful.
Throughout the hike I reflected on what I read about Eric and the example that he set for so many. I’m so proud and honored to have learned a small part of Eric’s story and to share it with my team and others. Eric’s name and story will be shared for many generations; there’s much to be learned from him.
I’m forever grateful for Eric’s service to our country.
God Bless You.
My fourth grade class learned about MSgt Cole’s life and were truly honored to bring his stone on a hike. They all traded off carrying the stone through some trails behind Old Town Elementary School. They truly understood the importance of the project and really enjoyed learning about Eric’s life and interests. Some students’ parents even knew MSgt. Cole from his high school years and remembered his wrestling accomplishments. This was a great project for the students. Thank you so much for sharing his story.
The following letters were hand written submissions by Mr. Rand’s 4th grade class at Old Town Elementary School in Old Town, ME:
Dear Family of MSgt Cole,
I’m sorry that you lost a great and healthy person. I bet it was a very tough loss and I get it. It has happened to me a lot of times. MSgt Cole lived just too short of a life – only 29 years! That’s a very short life for a guy like him or anyone I would say. He will still always be remembered. Maine Heroes are never forgotten.
Sincerely,
xxxxxxx
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Dear Family of MSgt Cole,
Sorry for your loss my name is xxxx. I enjoyed learning about you and your family. Me and Eric Cole have something in common we both like physical activity. Thank you for protecting our country. You’re a kind and caring person.
Sincerely,
xxxxxxxx
PS say hi to the two step daughters to me – bye.
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Dear Family of MSgt Cole,
I am so sorry for your loss. It is an honor to go on your mountain. Eric was a ferocious, yet noble and strong hero. He served our country and fought. He protected our country and risked and sacrificed his life for our protection. It must be hard to lose a loved one. I hope all gets better for you all.
Sincerely,
xxxxxxxx
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Dear Family of MSgt Cole,
Sorry for your loss. Our class went on a hike to honor Eric but the hike you guys took was probably a lot harder. I enjoyed learning about him because he seemed like a really nice guy. I even got to be one of the few people to hold the stone. He did a great thing being in the Air National Guard. While learning about him I learned a new phrase – MHANF (Maine Heroes are Never Forgotten).
Sincerely,
xxxxxxx
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Dear Family of MSgt Cole,
I am very sorry for your loss. I really enjoyed learning about Eric. I also enjoy doing challenging physical activity like Eric. On Friday, December 9, 2022 my class took Eric’s rock on a hike behind our school.
Sincerely,
xxxxxxx
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Dear Family of MSgt Cole,
I am very sorry for your loss. I enjoyed learning about Eric. He sounded very nice. It was an honor to hold the stone you picked. Once again I am sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
xxxxxxx
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Dear Family of MSgt Cole,
My name is xxxxxx. I am so sorry for your loss. I really enjoyed learning about your fiancé. Me and my class went on a hike to learn more about Eric. I was honored to hold the rock. He also sounds really nice and fun. I also know he likes to play cribbage. And I go to Old Town Elementary School.
Sincerely,
xxxxxxxx
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Dear Family of MSgt Cole,
I am sorry for your loss. I really enjoyed learning about Eric Cole. My name is xxxxx. My class went on a hike with his stone. I was honored to hold the stone on our hike. I go to Old Town Elementary. Our hike was right next to our school.
Sincerely,
xxxxxxx
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Dear Family of MSgt Cole,
Hi my name is xxxx. I loved learning about Eric Cole. I am really sorry for your loss. I was honored to hold the stone on the hike behind the Old Town Elementary School.
Sincerely,
xxxxxx
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Dear Family of MSgt Cole,
Hi my name is xxxxx and I go to Old Town Elementary. I enjoyed learning about Eric. I am so sorry for your loss. I do physical activity a lot and I love playing cribbage too and I was honored to carry the stone on the hike.
Sincerely,
xxxxxxx
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Dear Family of MSgt Cole,
I am sorry for your loss. I really enjoyed learning about Eric. I also enjoy cribbage and physical activity. I had fun on the hike and I was honored to hold the stone.
Sincerely,
xxxxxxx
On 9/23/2023 I had the honor and privilege of carrying the stone and story of National Guard Master Sargent Eric A. Cole Jr., of Herman, Maine up Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park.
The day started early at 0130 hrs. getting the car packed. It was a bit of chaos leading up to the hike with work and cooking for the Warriors Dinner. Eric would have been disappointed in me for being so unorganized. Knowing how meticulous he was in preparing for his missions and their execution. (I just hope he would have forgiven me seeing some of my chaos was from deciding to make blueberry bramble for base camp at the last minute in his honor knowing his stone came from his and Sarah’s blueberry garden.)
On the ride to Smugglers den my coworker and I discussed our heroes and their stories in an attempt to prepare for our share. (I have found no matter how much you prepare it never goes exactly as planned.)
Soon we found ourselves at base camp at Smugglers Den with a beautifully decorated base camp tent glowing in the early morning light. We reached the quiet of the tent with only Momma Bear stirring, making the morning coffee and keeping watch over the stones. We got our hugs and to catch up a bit before getting our morning coffee and offloading the car as the rest of the hikers slowly rolled in.
Shortly we broke up into our teams and checked our gear and were given out stones to pack away for the ride to the trail head. I was excited for the hike today as I had several friends on my team that I had hiked with over the years, and I really looked forward to catching up with them in addition to sharing Eric’s story.
The weather was perfect. Maybe a little warmer than I would have liked but the crew pulled together and crushed the hike. Lots of laughs and conversations about their heroes that they were carrying along the trail. Soon it was time for us to tell the stories of our fallen. As I sat and listened to each and every member of my team tell of their fallen, I was struck by the similarities of at least 3 others in the group that had taken their own lives as well. My heart just breaks for them, and their families having known firsthand the pain and the guilt that follows when a loved one commits suicide.
When it was my turn, I got to speak of a man who excelled in all that he did. Not was he only exceptional in his military career but Eric was an amazing dad and stepdad that saw all that was unique in each of his children. A man who had found his peace in Sarah. A true family man and a provider. Eric fought a battle, the one that he was scared for others to see for the stigma that was attached to could have caused him to lose his role as a provider for all that he loved.
Sarah if you are reading this, I saw you at ANP in 2018 just two short months after Eric had passed. You stood out to me for some reason, and I only now know why. I just want you to know how much I admire your strength. I never could have done what you did that day. I hope you are well and that you and your family are healing.
Master Sargent Eric A. Cole Jr. I thank you for your service.
Amy
It was an honor to be able to carry the stone of Eric A. Cole Jr. This was a very meaningful project, and hike that we took for the fallen stone. I was so glad and honored to be the one chosen to hold Eric’s rock.
On 05/26/2024 I had the honor and privilege of carrying the stone and story of National Guard Master Sergeant Eric A. Cole Jr., of Herman, Maine up Doubletop in Baxter State Park.
The day started early at 0100 in a little bit of chaos of having only slept 3 hours. I had to scrap my original start time due to a last-minute trail change just several hours prior to the hike. Once again Eric would have been disappointed in me for being so unorganized and running around like a crazy person after work trying to make up for losing the two hours. Knowing how meticulous Eric was in preparing for his missions and having every little detail worked out for a flawless execution I felt like I would have disappointed him in my frantic last-minute packing and lack of organization.
On the ride to base camp, we dodged numerous wildlife on a beautifully still morning. We swapped stories of our soldiers in an attempt to prepare for our share knowing that it never ever really goes as you initially plan it.
Soon we found ourselves at base camp and once again I was off and running like a mad person to meet with the rest of ‘Team Red” for our early start. I said goodbye to my coworker who was assigned to another team and went directly to the beach to spent 5 minutes enjoying the view and the stillness of the lake and mountain prior to again running to catch the van for the trip to where we would be starting our hike.
The weather was perfect once again. This was my 2nd hike with Master Sergeant Cole. We had hiked together in Acadia in the fall of 2023. Once again it was little warmer than I would have liked but the crew pulled together and crushed the hike.
Soon it was time for us to tell the stories of our fallen at our spot on the summit. As I sat and listened to each and every member of my team tell of their fallen, my heart was heavy with the pain of loss. Many were family to my team members. A brother, a father and a cousin.
When it was my turn, I got to speak of a man who excelled in all that he did. Not only was he exceptional in his military career but he was an amazing dad and stepdad that saw all that was unique in each of his children. A man who had found his peace in Sarah. A true family man and a provider. Eric fought an internal battle, one that he was scared for others to see due to the stigma that was attached.
Master Sergeant Eric A. Cole Jr. I thank you for your service. You will not be forgotten.
Amy
Master Sergeant Cole,
Thanks for being with me on the Ruck for the Fallen this past weekend – 8/10/24. I carried your stone for the duration of the 10k and I wanted to say the weight of your stone was an honor to carry.
You helped me complete the event with a weight of 143 pounds, and your stone was the lightest part. This is the heaviest ruck, that has ever completed the Ruck for the Fallen, with The Summit Project and its your title to own. Your story of wanting to push your body to its limits was the driver in the days events.
I wish you well and your family the best, thanks for being with me.
I hope we ruck and hike together again, next time in a lighter pack.
SSG Smith
My wife and I carried MSgt Cole’s stone at a recent event in Orono, Maine. We were deeply touched by his life story and the loss experienced by his fiancé and children. We walked and talked about this young man and his dedication to family and country, and the difference he made to so many people because of his honorable service. Thank you MSgt!