Brett died in Seoul, South Korea at the age of thirty-five, when he suffered a fatal heart attack on duty August 19, 2003. He is survived by his parents, Catherine Burns and Wallace Seavey, of Canaan, ME, and two brothers, Kevin Pelotte and Travis Bickford, Pittsfield, ME.
To honor SGT Brett Pelotte, his Mother, Cathy Burns retrieved this stone from Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Watch this video to learn why this stone is significant and what it says about SGT Brett Pelotte.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AlYFW2a2Ws&rel=0
21 Comments
Cathy and Family,
I had the honor and privilege of carrying Brett’s stone up Owl Mountain for BSP, and it is was an experience I will not soon forget. I can honestly say that, prior to TSP, I had never participated in any event like this before. It was truly incredible. Getting to know more about Brett prior to hiking the mountain was, in my opinion, what truly made the difference. Understanding the special guy Brett was, his wide range of interests, his love for poetry and art, his preference for spicy food (bias: huge fan) gave me a much more serious connection to Brett. In my mind, it is an honorable act to honor the fallen; it is something different to get to know them. Cathy, speaking – and then getting to meet with you and the family after the summit – was one of the most rewarding things I have done in my short life. Talking with you about Brett affirms to me that what we have done is honor the great that have gone before us and selflessly served and led – not for personal gain, but out of of service, sacrifice, and upholding the things we love best. I would love to go into the people I met while conducting TSP, but perhaps this is not the time. What I will say is that they are a special group of people and I will not forget them. During the hike, I thought a lot about Brett and his time in the service. I thought about how it made him find himself, and the personal success he achieved once he finally “found his place”. We have a lot of Marines, Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors out there who could identify with that. It makes me identify with him, and I held that close to me every step of the hike. Cathy and Family, thank you for the opportunity to meet Brett, albeit indirectly, and to meet you all. To quote Frost, Brett took the road less traveled by, and it made all the difference.
Respectfully,
1st. Lt. Tim Robbins
SIMPLE….I love him!!
I would like to say how much of an honor it was to carry the memorial stone of Sgt. Brett Pelotte on the Patriot Riders 8th Annual Spring Ride for the Troops. Learning about his life was at sometimes humorous and also inspiring. An example of this was when he was 10 and came home and said to his Mom that he didn’t like Otis because he was black. Then later at bedtime, Mom decided not to give him a hug and kiss goodnight, when asked why, she simply said “I just decided that I don’t like blonde kids.” Funny story but also a very important life lesson learned. Not only did it change him as a person, but he practiced what he believed and spoke up when he thought something was wrong. Again it was an honor to carry Brett’s stone and be able to share his story with all that asked.
Sincerely,
Ed Pettengill
THANK U!
Hello my name is Caleb McDougal and I had the honor to carry the stone of SGT Brett E, Pelotte. I climbed mount Bigelow in Maine. What I learned from SGT Pelotte was that he was from Waterville Maine and died on duty in Seoul South Korea at the age of thirty-five from a fatal heart on august 19, 2003. This was the first time I participated in a event like this and the experience was unforgettable. The reason I picked SGT Pelottes stone was because I enjoyed the funny stories, also how he stuck with what he believed in and spoke up when he thought something was wrong. Again, it was truly a honor to have the opportunity to carry SGT Brett E. Pelottes stone and a event I will not forget.
Sincerely, Caleb McDougal
It was a honor and privilege to remember SGT Brett Pelotte and what he stood for. Sometimes the crooked road makes the best in someone shine brighter than most of us. It also takes a brave sort of us to volunteer for service in the US armed forces. I am proud of Brett for making that sacrifice as his family must be as well. I will never forget how meaningful that day was when we remembered the sacrifices he made for us to be free. As their memories live on we to will not soon forget the jobs they volunteered for made them hero’s, may Maine soon not forget its hero in SGT Brett Pelotte.
Thank You
Christine Hensley
Dear Cathy and family,
I recently had the honor and pleasure of carrying Brett’s memorial stone up Cadillac Mountain as part of TSP’s 2015 ANP hike. The experience had a profound impact on me and it will be one that I will always treasure. I had never before participated in an organized hike such as this and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I maintain a physically active lifestyle so I felt comfortable with the idea of hiking Cadillac Mountain despite never having climbed it before. As the day grew closer, the weather forecast was looking less in our favor. Chilling temps with a combination of snow and rain were being predicted. I am always game for a physical challenge but being someone that likes to always be warm, the idea of hiking a slippery rocky mountain in an environment where I am soaking wet and cold caused me to have a bit of nervousness leading up to this event.
The morning was damp and cold and the sun was just coming up as we all gathered together preparing for our departure to our group trails to commence our hikes. By the time our buses departed from Thompson’s Island the sun was brightly shining overhead and it looked as though we miraculously avoided the bad weather that had previously been forecasted. Our spirits and our team morale were off the charts as we boarded off the bus to our trailhead. We paused to take a team photo followed by a group prayer. It was a few moments later when the sky turned dark and the rain began. As we embarked on our trail you could hear the conversations being had by all of the participants with their nearby hiking neighbor. We were all sharing stories about our soldiers whose memorial stone we carried and about our own personal lives; husbands, wives, children, hobbies, etc. Participants were pausing along the way to grab a snack, take a photo, etc. causing the group formation to change and you found yourself sharing your story and your soldier’s story with someone new. We were about a quarter of a mile into the hike when the snow/hail began to fall and shortly thereafter the sun came out to greet us as we crested Dorr Mountain and paused for another group photo. We encountered a few more quick spells of rain but as the top of Cadillac drew closer in visibility the sun came out yet again. We all paused when we reached this lookout spot where the view was nothing short of breathtaking. As we all turned our heads and looked out towards the ocean we quickly noticed the double rainbow that graced the sky. It was obvious to us all that this was the spot where we had to pause as a group to honor our soldiers by sharing what we’d learned about him/her. I spoke about Brett’s strong sense of self; his need to be true to who he was and his willingness to speak out for what he believed was right. I spoke about how you retrieved his memorial stone from Prince Edward Island; a place you had always hoped Brett would get the opportunity to visit.
I found myself looking around this circle of new friends, thinking about the lives and stories of all of the soldiers we were honoring, the sacrifices they made for us, and all of the emotions surrounding our actions that day. I promptly recognized how meaningless the insecurities we may have had earlier that day were. Whether it was the dismal weather, the physical uncertainty of the trek or the fear of getting to the top and breaking down in front of individuals you just met as you spoke about the life of your soldier; none of that ended up mattering! For me personally, the weather that day could have easily been a hindrance but I found myself so incredibly excited to be participating in such a wonderful event honoring your son and sharing that experience with a wonderful group of inspiring people that I barely noticed the weather. I am honored and humbled to have had the opportunity to carry Brett’s stone and learn his story. I’m hopeful that maybe one day I will have the honor to meet you as well at another TSP event.
Respectfully,
Jessica Johnston
To the parents of Brett Pelotte, it was an honor and a privilege to carry your son’s stone and tell his story with the South Portland Boys & Girls Club. What a wonderful day had by all and I honestly think that he was there for the journey and he gave us a beautiful day. He seemed like a great kid and I thank him and you for his service and sacrifice. Thank you, it was an honor.
When Joyce and I arrived to help preserve the memory of Army Sgt. Brett E. Pelotte, we were saddened to hear of the passing of Bretts mother, Catherine. We met Catherine and Wallace purely by chance last year at the Medway rest stop. I happened to be standing outside the building and I noticed an elderly couple crossing the parking lot and as I moved to help them over the curb they noticed the Patriot Riders emblems and Catherine said to me ” you are carrying our son.” The tears quickly welled up in all who were there. The emotions of that day will never be forgotten. Whether by chance or by Providence, we were blessed to carry the stone and story of Sgt Brett E. Pelotte this year. Catherine is with her beloved son now and in a better place. We are honored and privileged to be a part of TSP family and we will continue this mission as long as we are able.
Sincerely,
Joyce and David Strand
To the family and friends of Brett,
Today Angel Matson and I hiked up Table Rock Mountain in Maine with 30 children who all have a parent or sibling currently serving in the military. They carried 24 stones up the mountain today. Here is a letter from the campers that had the honor of carrying your hero.
“Hiking with the Summit Project was an honor. I hiked with Brett’s stone and it was quite heavy! Brett was really talented and seemed like an awesome and nice person. Being able to hike with him for the day was such a privilege and I thank his family for putting this stone in the Summit Project.
Love, Vidya”
Such beautiful stories for such a wonderful guy! Wish I could’ve said goodbye, but how PROUD you would be to see such respect & love!
Thank you TSP for remembering Brett Pelotte. Thank you, Dave Côte for founding this project. Brett’s mother, Cathy, died October 17, 2015. I am Brett’s step-father, Wally Seavey. I am here to keep both Brett’ and his mother’s memory alive. It was an honor to meet both Tim Robbins and Rhonda Russell who have both carried Brett’s stone. I soon will begin hiking, myself and hope one day to carry someone’s stone.
On October 1, 2016 I had the honor of carrying the stone of Army Sgt. Brett E. Pelotte up Cadillac Mountain as part of TSP at ANP 2016. I awoke to a perfect New England fall day and headed to the team gathering area where we each picked up our memorial stones. Bretts stone was picked from Prince Edwards Island, Canada by his mother Cathy, a place she thought he would loved to have seen. He was born in Waterville, Maine on July 19, 1968. He grew up in Winslow till his Senior year of high school where he moved to Lansing, MI and graduated. After graduation he returned to Winslow and in 1996 he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he is believed to have truly found himself. Brett passed away in South Korea on August 19, 2003 from a fatal heart attack while on duty. From the moment I picked up Bretts stone, for some reason, I just felt like I could not set it down.
Throughout the hike I thought about Brett from what I had learned about him prior to the hike. Brett had attended Outward Bound programs and had climbed the Rocky Mountains. He was an artist and thought of him painting the beautiful scenic views of the tiny islands surrounding the mountain with the fall foliage. While hiking along the trails surrounded by the trees I thought about the story his step dad Wally told me of how he and his brother went with his family to New Brunswick and spent two weeks learning cordwood construction and returning home to Pittsfield to help build their home.
To the family and friends of Brett, words cannot say how much of an honor it was to carry his stone and memories that day. But please know that from that day forward I will continue to think of him and will continue to share his story and be forever grateful for his service to our country.
Sincerely,
Pattie McNally
I would like to say how much of an honor it was to carry the memorial stone of Sgt. Brett Pelotte up Streaked Mountain on Thursday oct 20th. He was an awesome guy from what I’ve read. He enjoyed hiking and cooking, just a few of things He liked that I can relate to. I myself really enjoyed this opportunity to hike up such a beautiful mountain with the memories of such a beautiful and amazing soul on my back. With each step up the mountain, I thought more and more about what he gave to us. He gave his life so we could be free… so we can breathe easier… so we can focus on becoming who we want to be instead of worrying about if someone is going to hurt us/ take our lives. Again it was an honor to carry Brett’s stone and be able to share his story with all that asked.
Sincerely,
Jacob Poulin
For Wally and friends of Brett –
Over Veterans’ Day and the weekend that followed I was honored to be entrusted with 10 Summit Project stone for a 4 Mile Remembrance race held in Ellsworth, Maine. When I picked up the stones in Portland I took a moment to remove each from its respective dust cover and hold it in my hands. Brett’s stone was rough and porous and I remember thinking that it would be a nice shape and material for its carrier to hold on the run. (This year I was not slated to carry a stone in the race – I wanted as many new people as possible to take part, so I stood down as a carrier.) As part of the weekend we climbed up Blue Hill Mountain, which is a nice easy (although not short) hike in Blue Hill, Maine on the Friday before the race. The man I had chosen to carry Brett’s stone had to work on Veterans’ Day (as a veteran himself!) so I was pleased and honored to carry Brett’s stone up the mountain. As our group departed the parking lot I clutched Brett’s stone to my chest as I realized that the rough and porous stone would likely shatter if I were to drop it. A terrifying thought indeed. A typical November day in Maine, that morning the wind was strong and the temperatures were low on our hike up the field to reach the base of the mountain’s trail. Many carriers remarked they feared slipping or dropping their stones, but that was never a true concern from my vantage point. I’ve never had a carrier drop a stone – they’d fall to the ground and risk injury before they’d drop a stone – but, the leaves were thick on the ground and the weather did make for cold hands. I remember thinking that I truly knew nothing about Korea and wondered if Brett had ever found it to be like home. Was the weather like ours here in Maine? What were the views like from the place he called home while he was there? Did he ever come to be comfortable in a foreign land where he served the country he loved so many miles away? I like to think he made the most if it and enjoyed what he could.
On the summit of the mountain the sky was blue, the clouds were light and the sun was high above us shining brightly. What a glorious land we live in where we can do the things we love and enjoy our freedoms – because of sacrifices of men like Brett. I was truly humbled to carry Brett’s stone, and I thought a lot about his mother as well while I stood there in the sun. With my own 4 year old son at home, I thought about what she must have endured while he was away, and how she must have crumbled when she learned that he had died. Thank you for entrusting me with your son (and step-son’s) memory. He will never be forgotten.
With much love and admiration, Joelle
I am a US Army veteran, and I recently had the honor and pleasure of carrying the stone of Sgt. Brett Pelotte in the third annual veterans remembrance for mile run in Ellsworth Maine although I didn’t break any records,it was still an amazing privilege to be a part of something so wonderful. This is a great thing that is going on all over and I only hope it will get bigger as time goes on. This is a great way to keep the Legacies of great soldiers that once protected all of us.
Sincerely,
Troy Gardner
Dear family of Brett,
I just finished hiking Table Rock Mountain with campers who all have a parent or sibling currently serving in the military. This is what two children had to say about carrying Brett
“Before we started the hike up the mountain I didn’t think that carrying the stone would be a challenge. During the hike about half way up, I felt the struggle of carrying the extra weight, not just of the stone but the memory of the person. I could feel the struggle of him being deployed and having to be away from his family. I felt a bit sad once I got to the top to think that Brett had to go so soon and wished I could meet him in person to know more about him. I had fun carrying the weight of the stone and his memory up the mountain and would gladly do it again”. – Andrew
” I never had any connections with Brett but having the honor to carry the stone down the mountain was really big for me. Knowing that I have the honor of carrying him and the honoring the family of the fallen one. I really hope that just bringing Brett down the mountain makes his family happy”.
I would like to personally thank you for sharing your son and his life with us and others who take part in this amazing program.
Dear Gold Star Famiy,
I recently had the honor and privalege to carry Brett’s stone at the Mount Cadllac hike 2017. This was my third TSP hike, and as usual it was a fantastic experience. On this trip I realized that Brett and I have quite a lot in common! (Even though I’m only 14, so don’t expect a story from the military.) Brett’s stone is from Prince Edward Island, where I have gone on vacation several times. Brett also always stood up for what was right, and I like to think I am the same. Our hike was great! Fantastic views, agressive boulder crawling, and a mid-way stopover at Bubble Pond made for an unforgettable experience! I had a great time and I can’t wait for BSP 2018!
Regards, Erik LoSacco.
On 08/10/2019, I had the honor and the privilege to carry the stone of Army SGT Brett E. Pelotte at the Husky Ruck 10k at Pineland Farms located in the rolling hills of New Gloucester, Maine. (The ruck is to honor the life of USMC Corporal Mark Goyet who died on June 28, 2011 after his unit came under attack by small arms fire in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.)
As I arrived I spotted the Summit Project Table. I was surprised that I would be able to carry a stone. I was in hopes to, but was not sure that one would be available as I had not signed up for one in advance. I looked for certain stone, but it had already been chosen. I then scanned the table and this stone immediately caught my eye! How could I pass up a stone that the honored person’s initials spell out your first K9 partner’s name – “BEP”? It was meant to be!
As I set out for my first journey with SGT Pelotte I couldn’t help but wonder about the life he had lead. With each step along the way of our journey together questions came to me as to what SGT Pelotte’ s life was like and what I would be able to find out about this brave soldier when I got the chance to do my research about his life after our run.
Brett would have loved the beauty of Pineland Farms. The open fields and the quiet of the wooded trails we were running on. They were views that he may have wanted to paint.
I love the story his mother told of how he and his rescue dog Murphy became the Great American Dog Of The Year. Even more touching to me was and he had set up a scholarship with the award money to help students pursuing veterinary and animal related fields.
Thank you Army SGT Brett E. Pelotte for your service and sacrifice. I will carry you with me on my future Summit Project outings along with Army Sgt. Jason W. Swiger, Army Sgt. 1st Class Shawn C. Dostie & Army CPT Christopher S. Cash.
I had the honor and privilege to learn and get to know Army SGT Brett E. Pelotte. Due to the unfortunate circumstances going on in the world right now, the ruck and ceremonies here at US Customs and Broder Protection in Calais, Maine were canceled but I still wanted to express what I learned from SGT Pelotte. He was a man who fought for what he believed in, he stood up for what was right and has a beautiful soul such as the stone that belongs to him. He cared about other people, joined the army to protect his home country to fight for us. He loved art and was a very funny guy. The story that stood out the most was the one when his mother taught him a very valuable lesson about racial equality that he carried with him for the rest of his life.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice Army SGT Brett E. Pelotte. God bless you and your family. You will live on forever.
During a Togus VA Regional Office event on September 9, 2022, I had the honor to carry SGT Brett Pelotte’s stone in Portland, Maine, on a hike of the Eastern Promenade. It was a beautiful day for this prestigious hike.
Prior to the event, I watched a YouTube video of Cathy, his mother, talk about Brett and his experiences. I got the opportunity to learn a lot about Brett from the video. I realized SGT Pelotte and I had a lot in common, both grew up in rural Maine (not far from each other), were born only days apart, animal lovers, and drifted a bit out of high school before we found our purpose.
Being an animal lover the experience that stuck in my mind most was the story about SGT Pelotte and his shelter dog winning a National Contest.
As I carried the stone, I reflected on SGT Pelotte’s life and the sacrifices he made. Thank you, Summit Project, and SGT Pelotte’s family for allowing me to carry Brett’s stone.