27, of Holden, Maine; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.; died April 3 at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany, of wounds sustained while conducting dismounted combat operations in the Zahn Khan District, Afghanistan.
To honor their son, Nick’s parents, David and Nancy Robertson retrieved this stone on Mt Desert Island at the beach. That location was chosen because Nick was an avid rock climber and kept telling his parent’s that he couldn’t wait to get back to Mt. Desert so he could climb again.
Nick was a very patient, kind and clever man. He chose to go the enlisted route even though he had multiple degrees because he wanted to work his way up through the ranks. He had initiative. When he saw a need for something he did it. He started many different programs during his time in service, to include opening a gym in Afghanistan. The gym is now named after him. He faced a challenge head on and had a lot of courage. His parents watched the Army transform their son into a man. Each time he came home he stood a little taller, he listened a little more attentively, his shoulders were held back just a little bit further. He would talk to them about little things like how good it felt to feel the snow on his face when he was in Afghanistan because it reminded him of home. They can picture him standing there with his head back and arms out feeling it on his face. Hearing this story is how they learned that it even snowed over there. He loved to write and was passionate about journal. His journals were sent home to them and they were able to read about his life there in his own words. There is nothing more powerful then the written word and he was a passionate writer.
Nick was a good kid and a great brother, soldier and friend. He always remembered to call home and had a special bond with his mother. He was a great blend of both of his parent’s. You can look at him in one picture and see all David, only to turn the page and see Nancy looking back at you. He was a beautiful boy and he is missed. Nick was a very trusted soldier who was great at his job. He did it so well that when asked to help plan a mission with two other soldier. He drew a picture that looked like a little kid did it as he was not an artist. It was of a plane going over a mountain and some other things. It was submitted and headquarters told him to go for it. They were all shocked! He had multiple clearances for someone so young and early in his career. After his passing his father was approached by a high ranking officer who told him he had been looking over Nick’s SRB and he was blown away at all he had done and all the access that he had been given. Nick had more clearance than him. We guessed that in the land of “Need to know” basis, this guy just didn’t need to know as much as he thought he did. Nick was selfless and always thinking of others. Nick was killed three weeks before he was due to come home on his second deployment. A fellow soldier had a injury earlier and wasn’t feeling well. Nick told him not to worry and volunteered to go in his place. He never made it home.
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Dear David, Nancy, Todd and Douglas,
A common question I get asked about TSP is, “Do you form a bond or connection with every stone you carry?” Up until last week, I didn’t know how to answer this because I had only carried one stone. My journey with Nick’s stone was not the standard TSP way. I did not hike with his stone. I did not run in a 5K or any form of marathon. Rather, I spent a week with his stone in my home.
It started when I had the honor of picking up Nick’s stone from the engravers and taking it to the 1st Annual Nicholas Robertson Memorial Golf Tournament on Friday July 17, 2015. Having the opportunity to spend time with friends and family of Nicholas is something I will treasure always. The outpouring of love for Nicholas and the rest of the Robertson family was easily seen. It was seen in big gestures like the husband of Nick’s cousin taking on the task of putting together the golf tournament and three of Nick’s teammates flying in to play golf in the tournament. And it was seen in small gestures like when his aunt was telling me some of her memories of Nick and she put her hand on her heart and gave a little sigh.
You can tell a lot about a person by the way their friends and family honor and remember them. I loved hearing the story about him buying his car in Florida and driving it to Chicago, the car that his brother Todd drives now. How he had never driven a standard before until he drove his new car off the lot. There were moments too of a mother’s love and deep loss. There is no time limit on grief, especially between a mother and child, and that was never more obvious to me than sitting and talking with you, Nancy. As I sat there listening to you recall a few stories and memories, you held the small keepsake photo album of Nick’s time in Afghanistan given to you by his teammates Tom, Ryan, Rob and JR and my heart broke watching you lovingly cradle that album in one hand and lightly caress it with the other. And, for a moment, you got lost in thought and looked down at the album. I had to turn away and blink back my own tears. I want you to know that that very moment is the reason I stay involved with The Summit Project…to assure you that Nicholas will not be forgotten.
So to go back to the question “Do you form a bond or connection with every stone you carry?” For me, the answer would have to be yes.
For a week I transported Nick’s stone in my vehicle several times, I carried it in and out of my home, I sat with his stone at my kitchen table while I listened to your interview, I brought it to the memorial golf tournament, I carried it in my backpack while rucking in my neighborhood and I even took a cue from Nick’s idea of making a gym in Afghanistan with the materials he had and used his stone as a weight during my workouts. All three of my kids held Nick’s stone and I told them about him. I sat with Nick’s stone at his gravestone at the cemetery and spoke to him about the similarities we shared. A fellow Gemini with our birthdays just a day apart, both growing up as a middle child between two brothers, our love of reading and writing. We both were in the band in high school…ok so he was much cooler because he played the drums where I played the clarinet, but still, we both received awards for our musical talent. I made the most of having Nick’s stone in my home this past week. And yes, a connection was definitely formed. Toward the end of one workout, I was feeling quite fatigued and out of breath. I only had a few more reps to do and as I lay there on my floor contemplating whether I should just stop or keep going, I turned my head and looked over at Nick’s stone a few inches away. I broke down in tears, pushed myself up and kept going. Remembering Nick’s sacrifice was the push I needed.
On Friday July, 24th, I drove to MEPS in Portland to drop off Nick’s stone in its new home. I found an empty parking spot in a lot just under a half mile from MEPS. As soon as I put the vehicle in park, the skies opened up and the rain fell. Hesitating for just a split second, I threw on a light raincoat, grabbed Nick’s stone football style with his info facing out and walked to MEPS. Some people gave me strange looks, but I stood a little taller all while making eye contact and smiling to those who I normally would avoid eye contact with. Stepping into the room where all the stones are on display, I was hit with a wave of grief so hard it was like I walked into a wall.
I’ve seen all The Summit Project stones at once and have handled many of them at events, but seeing them on the shelves in the dimly lit room was sad and strangely beautiful at the same time. Emotions were high as I slowly placed Nick’s stone on a shelf. And that’s how I know a connection was formed. Because while I knew that his stone needed to be there so that others have the opportunity to carry his stone and learn his story, there’s still a part of one’s self that wants to hold on to his stone and keep it close always.
David, just after I took a photo of you and Nancy with Nick’s engraved stone at the tournament, you started to walk away and then turned back and gave me a hug saying “thank you.” It is I who thank you! I promise you David and Nancy, to always remember Nick and to share his story with others, to live a life worthy of his sacrifice. Much like you held the keepsake album Nancy, many times over the week I held Nick’s stone, the curve in the back fitting perfectly in the palm of my hand. My connection to Nick’s stone ensures that Nicholas will NOT be forgotten.
Much Love,
Heather “Grace” Audet
On Sunday, August 16th, I had the honor of carrying Sargeant Nicholas Robertson’s TSP memorial stone in the Run For The Fallen.
I had planned on participating at the event, but was not planning on carrying a memorial stone. At the TSP table, I found out that they were allowing people to carry the stones. Not knowing any of the soldiers that were represented, I asked Heather Grace Audet to pick a stone for me. She picked Nick’s stone and told me everything she knew about him since she had picked up his stone from the engravers and had spent a week with it before handing it off to MEPS (Maine Entrance Processing Station) in Portland where the stones are kept. She also spent time with the family to learn about Nick and help tell others his story.
The format for the RFTF event is unique in that all the fallen servicemen and women have signs along the 5k route. If the family is at the event, they are at the sign. Not knowing if the family was at the event, I got anxious when I starting hitting the “P’s” as I knew Nick’s sign would be coming up soon. When I got to his sign, there were people there, and I asked them if they were Nick’s familly. It was his father and brother. I had a nice short chat with them and a picture opportunity at the sign.
I was so glad to have met his family at this event as his parents will be in Florida during the TSP at ANP event in October.
After the completion of the event, I returned Nick’s stone back to the TSP table so that others could see it.
Later, I met up with Nick’s father and brother, and they told me all about Nick’s life. He was very smart, dedicated and loved his family and his country. His brother told me it was hard losing him as they were very close, but now that he’s had time to reflect on all the good times, he’s glad that his brother’s story is being heard by others and he will not be forgotten.
I don’t have a personal connection with Nick, but I feel close to him since I’ve carried his stone and his story. I will never forget that day and will carry him for the rest of my life.
MHANF!
I had the honor of taking SGT Nicholas Robertson’s stone on two beautiful sunrise hikes in Maine and New Hampshire on August 31 and September 1, 2015. At 2:30 am on August 31, my friend Cathy Gordon and I hit the trail head at the base of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, with the goal of summiting in time to watch the sun rise. Cathy carried the stone of SGT Christopher Wilson, whose stone I have hiked previously, and whose grave I have visited at Arlington National Cemetery, not far from where I live in Washington, D.C. I had begun to think of Nicholas and Christopher as the “Brothers” since I picked up their stones in Portland a few days earlier. I placed them in the passenger seat of my rental car as I road-tripped across Maine – my true home. They were my companions on this adventure, and together we crisscrossed the state, visiting friends and family, and honoring Maine’s fallen at memorials and in the homes of Gold Star families who have become dear friends.
Cathy and I wore head lamps and reflective gear in preparation for ascending Cadillac in the dark, but a spectacular full moon lit our way and, once we were above the tree line, we no longer needed artificial light, as the moonlight reflecting off the exposed granite and the ocean below guided us to the summit. There are few things as quiet as the Maine woods, especially in the middle of the night and, and as we climbed, I reflected on SGT Robertson’s life. He was a determined young man – not the type to take the easy path to any destination. Despite being qualified to enter the military as an officer, SGT Robertson instead chose to take the enlisted route and work his way up through the ranks. I thought often during my four days with his stone that making this decision was the mark of a true leader – a man who valued being a peer before being a commander.
The stone in my pack bearing SGT Robertson’s initials was retrieved from a beach on Mt. Desert Island, not far from where our carefully-placed footsteps brought us closer to where we could look out over the area that he loved so much. During his deployment, Nick told his parents that he couldn’t wait to get back to Mt. Desert so he could rock climb there again, his favorite activity in his favorite spot. I felt honored to carry his stone to that sacred location, to in some way return him back to the place he craved, and to watch the sunrise with his stone over the rocks he couldn’t wait to come home to.
The following day I was back in the car with the Brothers on our way to the next adventure. Shortly after finishing up the Cadillac hike, I drove to New Hampshire to meet my high school friend Kristin Stelmok to hike the stones in the White Mountains. We chose a short but steep climb to the summit of South Moat Mountain, again taking off at 2:00 am. And again, the bright moon guided us. Kristin and I had lots to catch up on, and we chatted for most of the ascent. With Christopher’s stone in her pack, she shared with me what she had learned about him, and I learned new things about him that I hadn’t discovered prior to my own hikes with his stone. It struck me that with each person entrusted with a single stone, a little portion of the hero’s life is remembered and retold, but that collectively, we can learn and retell an entire lifetime of memories.
I shared Nick’s story with Kristin, who has been my best friend since we were kids growing up in the Dover-Foxcroft area. We both love the outdoors and, while Maine winters can be long and grueling, we love snow and have spent many winter days skiing and snowboarding in Maine and New Hampshire. Kristin listened with rapt attention as I talked about Nick, especially the joy he found in simple things like snow. As we climbed, I pictured him delighting in the first snow of every winter, running outside and throwing his arms wide, tilting his head back, and feeling the cold flakes on his face, just as his family describes him doing. Even if Afghanistan, he loved the snow because it reminded him of home. Later, when we reached the summit of South Moat, and the first rays of sun splashed across the Whites, I also widened my arms in the wind, tilted my head back, and smiled. It felt so good to be home. Kristin, the Brothers and I had the peaceful summit sunrise all to ourselves.
Before long, the wind died down and, with the newly-risen sun on our right, and the full moon to our left, we felt reenergized and decided to complete the traverse, summiting Middle Moat and North Moat Mountains before descending. We had the entire ridge to ourselves for the duration of our hike. At the top of each peak we pulled out the stones and sunned ourselves, tilting our heads back, as Nick did, feeling the warmth on our faces. In those moments, I was inspired by Nick’s selflessness and his sense of service-over-self. I hope a little of that spirit rubbed off on me during my adventures with his stone, a four-day road trip with a truly inspiring pair of companions.
To SGT Robertson’s family, thank you for sharing the memory of this amazing young man with all of us. I have thought of him every day since returning his tribute stone in Portland. He inspires me to be patient and to delight in the simple things, and I treasure our shared love of home. I hope it brings you some comfort to know that he continues to lead even those he did not know in life.
I had the honor of carrying Sgt. Nicholas Robertson’s Stone at the Maniacs 5k Charity event in Bangor on 27 September 2015. Although I had been to other TSP events, this was the first time that I carried the stone of a fallen service member.
As I reflected on Nick, I started my focus on how I could relate to him. I believe it is important to relate to them and make a personal connection. As one member of the Maniacs 5K TSP team stated, these were people and not just a stone that we carried and honored.
I ran into Heather in Newport late August while at the 5K for Jay. She stated that she was still looking for people to participate in the Maniacs 5k in Bangor. Two of us volunteered that day. I had no idea whose stone I would be carrying that day and found out several days later. I knew Nick’s story prior to his stone picking me.
I found myself reflecting on Nick’s story both before and after the Maniacs event. He had so many traits that we can learn from and aspire to incorporate into our own lives. He had initiative and if he saw something that needed to be done, he did it. He was a volunteer and believed in working his way up from the bottom. Some of the most successful and admired leaders have started this way. It is the epitome of the American Dream.
Nick was also a passionate writer. I believe that if we all continue to talk, remember and write about the fallen, then we will honor them and their memory will live on. I would like to close by asking others to reflect on Nick’s story and aspire to incorporate just one of his traits into their own lives.
17 October, 2015: TSP at ANP 2015
There are occasional events or people in life that make such an impact that they change you, forever. And so it happened to me, on the 17th of October, 2015. In my case it was both an event and a person – hiking to the top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park remembering Sgt. Nicholas A. Robertson. Thinking about who he was, what he sacrificed and why, who loved him – and loves him still, and even who he never got the opportunity to be.
My “hike” started considerably before Oct. 17th. It began when I accepted the invitation to participate as a hiker and memory stone carrier with 79 others to honor Maine’s fallen. Prior to that, my exposure to The Summit Project and its mission had created a higher level of awareness and a deep level of respect. And then it got personal. At our Summit Circle, I shared with my hike-mates that I had always been very cynical about artists who say their paintings “told them” what to paint, that their book “wrote itself” – they were just the instrument. So imagine my surprise when Sgt. Robertson’s stone “picked me”. I had already read many of the stories of those we honor, and had in fact been assigned a stone. But when I went back to the TSP website to read about my assigned soldier, I somehow ended up reading about Sgt. Robertson. As I was reading his story, I knew, felt positive, that I was supposed to carry his stone and tell his story and was relieved to find out it was still available.
I find that I have thought a lot about Sgt. Robertson as a soldier, about how trusted he was, how selfless. I’ve thought about how his final mission was one that he wasn’t scheduled to be on, but he had stepped in and offered to replace a buddy that wasn’t feeling well. I’ve thought a lot about the environment they were in – what it must have been like, and how much they must have cared about and relied on each other. But I’ve also thought equally as much about Nick – the man outside the uniform; the man who was the son, the brother, the cousin, the student, the friend. I related to both, admired both, but was touched most deeply by thinking about who Nick was. He MUST have had faults – don’t we all? But if he did, they were so outweighed by just how darn cool he was that they didn’t matter. Here was a guy who appreciated the power and privilege of the written word; who chose to major in Philosophy and minor in both French and Classical Studies in college; who was close with his family…especially close to his Mom. And who was physical, rock climbing at home and opening a gym that is now named after him in Afghanistan . He was a man who chose to enlist and earn his way up in rank rather than accept the officer position his education afforded him. I imagine him to be sensitive, more quiet than not, and complex.
I have a daughter who is the same age Nick was when he died, and I do mourn the man he didn’t get the chance to become…perhaps a husband, father, president of the United States? But I am comforted by the certainty of how much he accomplished and how many he touched in his 27 years as well as by how many he will continue to touch by those who remember him, who speak his name, who carry his stone and story, who learn about him through The Summit Project and from those who shared life with him, who smile when thinking of him, and yes, who grieve for him. I am amongst those – forever.
Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Robertson, for the gift of your son in my life. Maine Hero, Sgt. Nicholas A. Robertson, will never be forgotten.
To the family and friends of Nicholas,
Today Greg Johnson and I hiked up Table Rock Mountain in Maine with 44 children who all have a parent or sibling currently serving in the military. They carried 27 stones up the mountain today. Here is a letter from the campers that had the honor of carrying your hero.
“We had the honor of carrying Jonathan’s stone on our hike today. We got to read all about this hero. It is an honor knowing we for to carry his stone up the mountain.
Love,
Paul and Gavin”
To the family and friends of Nicholas,
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.
“Today I was lucky enough to hike with Nicholas. Reading his biography was very inspiring to me. He died so young but so bravely. He is kind and honest. His fellow soldiers were so lucky to be with him. When I grow up I want to join the Army just like him. One day I hope people remember me like that.
Thank you, Shelby”
On Saturday October 1st 2016 I had the honor of carrying the hero stone of SGT Nicholas A. Robertson of the United States Army.
When I was first introduced to The Summit Project, friends of mine told me a bit about it. Upon doing my own research I knew it was something I needed to be apart of.
I never knew Nick. Didn’t get the pleasure of meeting any of his family. Just read his hero BIO,and whatever else I could find. He was only 2 months older then me, that part really hit me. So young. Like a lot of the heroes we honor.
I was camping at Smugglers Den for the weekend, so I had a chance Friday to finally “meet” my hero. Going into the tent was a very humbling experience. So peaceful and quite at the time I went in. Walked over to the table where all the heroes were and picked up Nicks stone. It was a good weight. Not to heavy not to light. His parents picked it up for Mt. Desert which wasn’t far from us then. Ran my hand across the engraving, and said hello for the first time to Nick. At that point in time my eyes teared up. Thinking about what I had read about Nick. A completely selfless man who gave his life cause one of his buddies wasn’t feeling good that night, and he volunteered to go out for him. And never came back.
Standing there in the tent I thought about all I had read and researched about him. Came back to how his father said every time he deployed and came back he stood a little straiter, little more confident. I knew at that moment I knew I had made the right decision to hike with Nicks stone.
The day of the hike I was so nervous!! All I kept thinking was, what if I can’t do this? But, as soon as I thought that, I had another voice telling me that I could. I believe Nick was giving me that push. We got dropped off and started the hike. And not very long into it my leg locked up and I had to rest. I was sad, mad, and sick to my stomach all at the same time. How! After everything I had done in preparation for this. How was this going to happen now! It was like a bad dream. I was not quitting! Was not giving up! This whole mission wasn’t about me, it is about our heroes. Do it for the heroes!! (Kept screaming in my head.) I was able to regroup and keep going, I kept thinking about how Nick had never given up on anything he did in the Army. And I wasn’t going to give up either! He was pushing me, all the way to the summit of Cadillac Mountain that day. At one point in time, one of my teammates asked if I wanted him to take my pack. I looked at him and said, the only time this pack with Nicks stone is coming off me, is when we are at the summit!
Looking back today on that whole day, it was amazing!! I knew that Nick had climbed rocks around the area and every time I would look at a rock face I wondered if he ever climbed it. He had hoped to come back when he was done with his last deployment to climb more. Well I think of it as he did. That day. Through me. I couldn’t have done it without him on my back. I truly believe that.
I am so honored to have carried his stone and the memories that day. Like I said before. I never knew him, never met any of his family. But that day he was with me. All the way to the summit!
I will never forget that day for the rest of my life!
To Mr. and Mrs. Robertson, Thank you very much for Nick, for bringing him into this world. He was truly a great human being, and will be missed by everyone’s lives he touched. He may be gone. But I will never forget his journey to keep us safe.
MHANF!!
I am writing this note on behalf of my 8 year old daughter, Isabel LoSacco, who had the honor and privilege of carrying the stone and story of Nicholas to the summit of Cadillac Mountain at the last TSP Acadia event on October 14. While my 14 year old son and I have participated in 2 prior TSP events, this has been my daughter’s first experience being as a TSP hiker. I had no doubt that she’d master whatever trail we’d be assigned to as she has been hiking with us since she was 3 years old.
I wasn’t sure, however how she’d do with her research about the stone she would have the honor to carry, but my doubts were unfounded. As soon as she got Nicholas’ stone assigned to her she started reading up on him on the TSP website and other online sources. She loves making her own books and that is what she did with the notes she took about Nicholas and his life. She cut papers, stapled them together until she had a little 3″x 5″ notebook that she used to capture important moments from Nicholas’ life.
Moments, such as Nick’s love of performing in the high school jazz band, his love of rock climbing, his special bond with his mom, his dedication to his country and his achievements in his military career.
Izzy wrote her notes and illustrated every page with drawings of tanks and music notes, mountains and American flags and it was heartwarming to see just how much effort she put into preparing for her mission.
As the day of the hike approached, we set out with our team, Team Bubble, who had been assigned the most technical and challenging route to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, where we were to first summit Pemetic Mountain, make our descent to Bubble Pond, before ascending to Cadillac. From the minute we set foot on the trail it was a scramble over boulders and up cliffs taller than a grown person, but just as the little mountain goat I knew her to be, Izzy took every step of the way in stride, Nicholas’ stone securely tucked away in her pink John Deer backpack.
As it is with every TSP hike, there were moments of laughter and there were tears, there were stories shared and friendships forged or renewed and it was great to share these moments with the young hikers on our team, who will carry on the stories of Maine’s fallen heroes well into the future.
When we reached the summit, Izzy’s shyness won out and it was too overwhelming for her to share Nicholas’ story in front of everyone, but luckily, I had her detailed notes and illustrations to step up and fill in for her. As I was reading her notes, looking at the pictures she drew, Nicholas’ story unfolded before my eyes and it was my honor to share it with the rest of our team!
I am so glad my children got the opportunity to learn first hand that freedom is not free! It is so important to ensure that the future generation learns the stories of our fallen and to make sure that their ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten! I want to thank the family of Army SGT Nicholas Robertson for entrusting my little 8 year old with their loved one’s stone and story and want to assure them that his story has been passed on to the next generation!
MHANF
September 29, 2018 I had the honor of carrying Nick’s stone up Cadillac Mountin in the beautiful Acadia National Park. Knowing Nick’s love for climbing and that the beautiful stone had been harvested from the very island I was hiking on gave me such peace the minute I first laid my hands on the stone and as I made the way to the summit via the South Ridge Trail.
The day was simply perfect. The weather was amazing as we gathered under the tent in preparation for this amazing event. I proudly took possession of Nick’s stone, tracing the engraving with my fingers and smiling as I had finally been able to make the physical connection with my hero. I had done hours of research, spoken with his younger brother, and patiently waited for weeks to finally get my hands on this stone to physically feel his presence that had existed only in my heart so far. I tucked him safely in my pack and silently promised him a beautiful hike to the summit.
The hike was spectacular. The sun was out, the temperature was perfect for hiking, the views along the way were breathtaking. Every step of the way I felt the physical weight of the stone, but more so I felt Nick’s presence with me as I took each step. No doubt he was smiling down on me and my wonderful team as we made our way up the trail.
The summit and our circle was nothing short of magical. Our team did such an amazing job honoring the men and women we carried. When it was my turn to speak about Nick I pulled out a wrinkled piece of yellow paper that was covered in quickly taken notes. I had tried for days to write something formal to read at the top so that I could make sure I did Nick justice but every time I simply couldn’t put words to paper. So there I sat with the crazy notes I had taken the night I was able to talk with Todd. I had hid in the bathroom as my two kiddos were wild and I wanted to hear every single word Todd had to share with me about his brother. The paper had things on it like scholar, philanthropy, top not student, humanity, dedicated, no one left behind. I did my very best that afternoon to tell the 18 other people in my group what an amazing man Nick was, fighting and eventually letting the tears flow for the loss of a man this world was blessed to have for such a short but impactful time.
I quite frankly feel I will never be able to truly do Nick justice. However, I can honestly say that he will forever be part of me and I will use every chance I get to tell his story so that his memory is kept alive for many years to come.
Hello, my name is Teresa and I work for an agency called Penquis in Bangor Maine. We have been lucky enough to have the honor case on display in the lobby. I have to say, I have never heard of the Summit Project prior to the case coming here, but what a wonderful project! I had the honor of choosing your son Nicholas as my Valentine today, to learn about his life and his story. He must have brought you so much joy! He sounds like a wonderful man, soldier, and son! I got emotional when I read that he chose to take another soldier’s place that fateful day. As a mom, that breaks my heart, but what a commendable thing to do! I hope his story lives on through the summit project for many more years, because everyone should hear what a wonderful man Nicholas was!
Uncle Dave, Aunt Nancy, Doug, Todd,
On Friday, June 14th I had the honor of carrying Nick’s stone up Mt Agamenticus in York County. Although it’s been 11 years since we lost Nick, he remains ever present in our hearts and minds. I can remember spending summers on Beech Hill and watching Nick be the first one up on water skis. His infectious smile, his kind and gentle demeanor, his love of the outdoors continue to inspire me.
When I heard that the honor case would be coming to North Berwick I asked that Nick’s stone be included. Selfishly, I felt we could spend one more summer together. I made a promise to visit the case every day.
I remember Nick liking rock music so I made a playlist to share on the ride to the mountain. I remember the drum set in the basement and how jealous I was that he could play. I looked up to him. I still do.
The hike to the top of the mountain was humbling. Not in its scope or difficulty, but in realizing that Nick sacrificed everything so that my family could be free. So that my children could grow up without fear. I know his sacrifice is a burden you will bear, but please know, you don’t carry it alone. My family is eternally great full.
I’m sorry it took so long for me to carry Nick’s stone. Knowing what I know now about TSP and its mission I will make it my goal to hike with him once a year. I’ll bring my family and together we will share Nick’s story for generations to come.
Thank you. Love, the Bolduc’s.
Uncle Dave, Aunt Nancy, Doug, Todd,
On September 28th I had the honor to again hike Nick’s stone. This time, it was a bit of homecoming for the stone as we hiked Cadillac Mountain. I know how much Nick appreciated the Acadia region and having never been, I now understand why.
The Bubble trail was treacherous and steep at times but I’m sure it was not for Nick. Despite the challenges the views overshadowed all. It was a truly beautiful fall day in Maine. I can see why Nick loved the area so much.
I want you to know that TSP is honoring Nick in a way that I believe will carry on his legacy for generations to come. I’ve read the stories above and you can see that he lives on through his story and all of the people he has touched. He is lost but not forgotten. Next year the kids will be old enough to join and I hope my son has the opportunity to carry Nick’s stone to the peak.
“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, the urge to serve others at whatever cost.”
-Arthur Ashe
Thank you. Love, the Bolduc’s.
“We never know which lives we influence, or when, or why” Stephen King. When we were asked to be part of the summit projected, I eagerly agreed. This seemed the perfect way to spend Veteran’s weekend, honoring the brave soldiers that fought for our freedoms. When I received the biography on Army Sgt. Nicholas A. Robertson I was not prepared for the lesson he would impart on myself or my family.
Sgt Nicholas Robertson born May 5. 1980 and perished April 3, 2008, at 27 years old. My impression from reading his narratives was that he was a smart, athletic, pensive man who loved to learn and teach, loved his family, loved Maine, and his fellow soldiers. Graduating from the University of Maine in Orono with a bachelor’s degree in Arts, where he developed a passion for philosophy. He especially related to the values of existentialism, the belief “that man is nothing but what he makes himself” Jean-Paul Sartre. With this mantra, he continued on, attending graduate school studying French, German and Greek. Becoming more of the man he wanted to be, he joined the Army to pay off expensive school loans, have a steady income, and become more fluent in languages. Nick was recognized as a skillful interceptor and cryptologic linguist and used these skills during Operation Enduring Freedom. Three weeks before his tour was to be completed, he decided to stay in order for an injured soldier to be taken out of the battlefield. Making a decision to not allow an injured soldier to fight with the other troops, most likely saved many lives but he would not be one of them.
Maine is a uniquely beautiful state in the summer and I always feel a little sad when the last sunny days come to an end. November 9, 2019, was the first cold day marking the beginning of the long winter days ahead and I was committed to hiking Blue Hill Mountain. As the days drew closer to this cold hike up to the summit of Blue Hill, a young man named Nicholas asked me why I would go hiking on such a cold day and carry a stone for someone I did not know. This was an important question and only had one answer, honor. I decided to share Sgt Nicholas Robertson’s story with this young man that is also a pensive man, who is athletic, has a bachelor’s degree from UMO and a graduate degree, is a proficient writer, understands Latin and Greek, loves his family (and we love him too) and happens to share the same birthday and is also becoming a soldier. This young man is my step-son. “We never know which lives we influence, or when, or why”, I like to think of Sgt Nicholas Robertson smiling down on us as he is imparting a lesson from an old soldier to a new soldier, continue on with honor, make your own life, and remember the ones before you. I was happy to climb the summit and place his rock where he belongs in his country and our great state of Maine.
Uncle Dave, Aunt Nancy, Doug, Todd,
What a strange last year it has been… My hope to have Sam hike with us this year didn’t come to fruition. Maybe next year?
We hiked Cadillac Bubble trail again this year. Perhaps Nick observed our struggles last year with the wetness and brought us beautiful weather this year! It was certainly a different experience from what we’ve done in the past, but I can assure you that the leadership at TSP did all they could to honor Nick’s memory.
This year I brought a friend and next year we plan to bring many more! The group started off fast and we made quick work of the mountain. I look forward to hiking with Nick again next fall.
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it”
-William Arthur Ward
Love, the Bolduc’s
To the family of Sgt. Nicholas A. Robertson
Each time I learn about the hero that I have the honor of carrying, they never fail to amaze me. From the moment I finished reading just the information posted on the TSP website, I could tell Nicholas was certainly no exception. As I learned more about Nicholas, I would reflect on it throughout the day, and at some points I would almost forget what I was doing. He loved to climb the rock faces that Maine has to offer. An athletic man who loved to be part of the outdoors. Such an intellectual young man who had a powerful hunger for knowledge and expanding his understanding. A man with a great mind. That same man decides to enlist, rather than use the degrees that he hard put the work in to obtain, because he wanted to work his way up. A man with great conviction and drive. He started many programs such as opening a gym in Afghanistan. A man of civic duty. He told a fellow soldier, who was not feeling well from a prior injury, not to worry, and Nicholas went in his stead. A kind and thoughtful man. What a giant of character.
I have a young son who is just coming into his teenage years. Often, I think about how he will develop and what kind of a man he will become. An inspiring man like Nicholas would be a great role model for any young person. I started to share some information with my son about Nicholas. I figured, being the age that my son is, this will go one of two ways; my son will be highly interested and engage me in the discussion, or, my son will have one of his “teenage moments”, where everything I say goes in one ear and comes out the other. After I had told him a little, my son kinda went on his way and did what he was interested in at that moment. A short while later, however, he came back and asked me more about Nicholas. Something (or many things) about Nicholas must’ve stuck in my son’s head and made him think this a man worth knowing about. I know I feel that Nicholas is certainly a man worth knowing. I was very honored to have carried your family member, and I am very honored that he has become a figure for our family
With much respect,
Brandon Schanz
It really hit me when I first saw Army Sergeant Nicholas Robertson’s pictures after opening his page on The Summit Project web page. This was the Maine armed service member, whose stone I was assigned, that sacrificed his life in April of 2008. After reading in more detail about him and who he was, I’m left wishing I had met this impressive young man. I like to think there is a good chance that we would have become friends. This is someone who had that unique trait of being smart and humble. I’ve been lucky to meet a lot of brilliant people in my career, and the one trait they have in common is humility. These people don’t need to prove anything, they have no chip on their shoulder – who they are and what they do “does all the talking”. I sense that Nick perfectly fit this mold. A guy with a college degree but decided to enlist instead of joining the Army as an officer so he could “work his way up”. This is a young man who was three weeks away from completing his second tour in Afghanistan and volunteered for a mission to replace a buddy who wasn’t feeling well. A musician, a writer – a cryptologic linguist. Imagine what Nick would be doing now.
I decided to carry Nick’s stone in my hands for the entire hike. It was a constant reminder of Nick, what he did for our country and the ultimate sacrifice he made as I shifted his stone from hand to hand as my hands and arms grew tired – it wasn’t a terribly long hike, but it was long enough to feel the weight. The hiking trail and general area is very familiar to me. I live only a couple miles away down the road. This region was completed denuded of trees in the early 1900s, but is now a 30,000 acre tract of wilderness. I hike, mountain bike and hunt (and sometimes snowboard) in the larger Mount Agamenticus Conservation Region. I know it well, it’s beautiful. I’ll never forget Army Sergeant Nicholas Robertson. I’ll think of him often, especially while doing something at “Mount Aggie”. I’ll tell others about Nick and the experience I had carrying his memorial stone and talking about him at the summit. What an incredible way to keep the memory of this wonderful person alive.
With gratitude and humility,
Mick Bruskotter
Uncle Dave, Aunt Nancy, Doug, Todd,
If there was ever a year that I felt like Nick was with me on the hike, it was this one. The weather called for wind, and it had rained heavily the day before. The trail was slick, we took a wrong a turn, but none of that mattered for the group. We had a mission to complete. There were a lot of first-time hikers (which I love to see) and they all did really well. The views were beautiful, and I know Nick was looking down and smiling.
Having the opportunity to honor Nick is both humbling and empowering. He was/is a great man. The Summit Project is doing an excellent job honoring his memory. I was glad to see you at the stone return ceremony. I’m sure the warmer weather of Florida is calling your names 🙂
My family’s promise to you is that we will hike Nick’s stone at any opportunity we can. He will not be forgotten.
See you guys soon!
“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.”
—Douglas MacArthur
Went to school with Nick. Very, very smart. Also one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. RIP
Dear David, Nancy, Doug and Todd
This Memorial Day weekend I had the honor of carrying Nick’s stone in a race put on by the Travis Mills Foundation called Miles for Mills 5k. It is a race that honors and remembers Maine’s fallen soldiers, specifically post 9/11. Along the racecourse were 80 memorial signs of each soldier, including one for Nick. It was so nice to see it along the way this year and I could feel the burst of pride it gave me to run with his stone. I whispered to myself you deserve this Nick, this is for you. These people are all cheering for you Nick and what you have done for this country and your fellow soldiers.
I have done many races in Nick’s honor over the past years, but this is the first time I had the opportunity to run with his stone and feeling him there with me was an incredible feeling. When I picked his stone up Friday morning I had almost a nervous feeling that you get when you see an old friend. Lucky for me I was able to be with Nick’s stone the entire weekend. My kids were curious about Nick’s stone, and I loved telling them all about him and the fun things we had done when we were younger. In the months prior to the race, I had been going through high school photo albums remembering who Nick was and still is to me. Why I want so badly to keep his memory alive. Nick was someone that once you meet you can never forget. The last time I saw Nick we were both at the University of Maine and he walked up to me with a great big smile, the smile that is contagious. He was so unique and smart. It feels like just yesterday when we were sitting in English class in high school together and he was reading a Friedrich Nietzsche book! Even then he was so into Philosophy. I remember how amazing he was at the drums and how much he liked music. I loved watching him play. A lot of things change as you grow but one thing that I know never changed was how selfless Nick was. When I heard that he joined the Army I was not surprised, and I knew he would really excel because he was just so smart and adventurous. I am so proud to have known such an amazingly brave person and will continue to honor and remember him every day because it’s something he deserves.
Nick has and will always hold a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait till I have the next opportunity to carry his stone with me again. I want to thank the Robertson family and The Summit Project for letting me help keep memory alive.
And you did it again at the hike today with TSP. 2024
Dear Robertson Family,
I had the honor to carry Nick’s stone on TSP’s 12 mile Bigelow hike. Learning about Nick, I came to realize how similar he is to my best friend, who has been in the Army for a year now. They both share a passion for philosophy, writing, and music. It breaks my heart to know Nick is no longer with us. I know we would have gotten along well, and I wish we could have shared deep ideas over a beer/coffee. His selfless sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Despite never knowing Nick in person, I have a high level of respect for him. He had an overwhelmingly positive effect on the people around him. He challenged the way people think without patronizing them. I have no doubt he was a great leader and that many looked up to him. Those who have met or known Nick are truly privileged to have those fond memories of him.
This 12 hour hike took a physical toll on me, but I would not give up the experience for the world. The feeling of erecting a flagpole with the American/TSP flag and sharing stories of our fallen heroes on the 4000ft peak is so powerful that I can still clearly feel it nearly 2 weeks later. It didn’t matter that the fog blocked the views at the top, if anything, it allowed more focus. It felt as if time froze. Everyone was filled with a sense of duty to our mission and full of respect for these amazing people. Greg Johnson deserves massive props for organizing these events and running them so smoothly. The flagpole construction went perfectly and we all made it back to the trailhead 10 minutes before the estimated time. This hike was one of the proudest moments in my 23 years of living.
I will be sure to recommend this event to friends and coworkers. Nick’s story deserves to be heard and you all should be very proud of the legacy he has left behind in his community. Thank you for raising such a brave and smart son.
Sincerely,
Ryan Johnson
To all who were fortunate enough to know Nick, and those who wish they had to opportunity to:
I carried Nick’s stone on TSP fall 2023 hike up Cadillac Mt. This was my first experience with TSP. What a great organization and a great cause.
In reading and hearing about Nick personally from his family and other hikers, I can say we lost a good one the day he passed. The man had ambition, intelligence and perseverance like none I’ve ever heard before. An avid rock climber, a great writer, smart as hell, and fluent in many languages, it seems Nick was already a worldly person at a young age. After a conversation with his brother and Father I had a feeling that Nick had the world by the tail. He could have done just about anything for a career, earning multiple degrees, but chose to serve our country. Admirable. He was selfless, kind and good to others, traits far too uncommon to find in people these days. In all honesty, Nick was someone we could’ve all learned a little from to better ourselves.
Nick’s parents chose his spirit stone from Mt. Desert. It was a special place for Nick to visit and climb. Our group ascended the West Face trail of Cadillac Mountain ME (I’m told the steepest and toughest route). It was a challenge, tougher than I thought it would be (come on I used to drive to the summit) but a great experience. It was absolutely beautiful. I see why Nick had a love for the area.
My name is D.J. Foster. 44 of Bristol ME. I carried the spirit stone of Army Sgt. Nicholas A. Robertson. I want to thank Nick’s family for that privilege and honor. He will always be remembered. I want to thank The Summit project for the opportunity to be a part of something special.
Thank you Sgt. Nicholas Robertson for your service and your sacrifice.
On October 19, 2023, I had the honor of carrying Nick’s stone up to the summit of Mt. Battie in Camden, Maine. While at the top of the mountain, I was able to share Nick’s story of bravery and compassion, as well as his accomplishments while he was enlisted in the Army, with my fellow classmates.
On our journey back down the mountain, we ended up getting the trails mixed up after taking a wrong turn. We made the best of this situation and continued our hike up the wrong trail because we knew that it was going to lead us to “Ocean Lookout” which provided a beautiful view of Camden. I must admit that the trail was a little more treacherous than I had expected, but I was eager to get to the top. I also felt that I had a duty to make it to the top for Nick, knowing that he was an avid rock climber and had likely had similar experiences. Overall, I am honored that I was able to represent Nick, as he was undeniably an amazing, intelligent, and brave man.
Thank you, Sgt. Nicholas A. Robertson for your service and sacrifices for our country.
With much respect and appreciation,
Noah Crummett
Thinking of Nick today. Was a very good guy.
Dear David, Nancy, Todd and Douglas,
I had the honor and privilege of carrying Nick’s stone and sharing his story at Baxter State Park. This was my first hike with The Summit Project and one I’ll never forget.
The weather couldn’t have been more beautiful Memorial Day weekend! The sun was out and there was a warm breeze. As I pulled into Twin Pines my breath was taken away by the view of Katahdin just beyond the lake. I knew instantly that Nick would have been just as in awe of it as I was! I thought this couldn’t be any more perfect because some of my favorite memories of him were spent at the lake!
Anticipation and Excitement set in amongst all the hikers, volunteers and Gold Star families as we waited for the convoy to appear at the top of the road carrying all our Heroes’ stones. When they did arrive, we were not disappointed! I felt so proud to know that Nick was being honored in such special and well-deserved way. As soon as I was able to receive his stone, I immediately could feel my heart fill. We were going to be together on my first hike in Baxter and I could not think of anyone else I would rather bring!
The hike turned out to be amazing! I could feel Nick with me the whole time, helping me up over the rocks, telling me which tree to grab and I know he was laughing at me when I would trip! After reaching the summit, the tree line finally opened up a view like I had never seen before. A view of just nothing but mountains forever. There is no doubt in my mind that he was enjoying it as much as I was.
I was able to share who Nick was to me, as well as the man that he became after enlisting in the Army. I love to talk about how many languages he knew and how important his job was over there. It makes me proud that I had the opportunity to have him in my life and still do through this living memorial. I plan to take him on many more adventures because I know that he would have liked that! I miss him so much and promise to honor and remember him every day.
Dear Robertson Family,
I had the privilege of getting to know what little I could about your extraordinary son, Nicholas. He did more with what little time he had on this earth than I could ever dream of doing and it was an honor to be able to carry his stone during our Pratt & Whitney TSP event on June 28th. I only hope other people can talk about Nick better than I, because when I got up in front of my co-workers—most of whom I had never actually met before— nothing came out the way I wanted it to; I had wanted to say so much more, brag about all that Nick accomplished, the languages he knew, and the honors he received. But I choked. I hope you know that despite my public speaking failures, I believe that anyone that has Nick’s stone and learns about his story will be as honored and amazed at his life as I was.
I understand that your lives have never been the same without him, merely different, and I am truly sorry that you lost such an amazing young man. Despite the pain that you must feel, thank you so much for sharing his story with us because I will never forget him.
While I was hiking by myself two weeks following that event, I will admit that I almost gave up and quit because I was physically and mentally exhausted. And although this might sound cliché, I kept going because I thought of Nick and knew that the measly hike up a mountain in 85-degree weather plus humidity was nothing compared to the deserts of Afghanistan. I would like to think that I am at least a little educated on what it was like over there, having had two ex-boyfriends who served as combat infantrymen in both Iraq and Afghanistan. I know that when they talked about what they went through, that nothing I do here can ever compare.
Similarly, although I am not a gold star family member, my previous boyfriend has lost half his Airborne brigade in either war or—heartbreakingly—to suicide, many of which happened while we were dating. His heart has always been heavier than most, but he finds a way to honor their memories, and I am so glad that the Summit Project has allowed me to do the same with Maine’s fallen. I hope that I will continue to participate in TSP events and learn more about other heroes like Nick and that others will do the same.
Most Americans do not appreciate the reality behind the freedoms that we have, that we are able to live the way we do day after day because of service members like Nick. Regardless, I hope that myself and everyone that participates in The Summit Project can share Nick’s story, and that his life—and every life represented by those stones—will never be forgotten.
God bless and may that Sky Soldier be always watching over you from heaven.
Sincerely,
Christiana
I was honored to be able to carry the stone and story of Army Sargent Nicolas Robertson up Cadillac Mountain on September 21, 2024. This was my first event for the Summit Project and I cannot express how humbled and in awe I am by the heroes and their families, as well as the organization. When I arrived, I did not know what to expect but was immediately welcomed into this group of amazing people.
We kept hearing how the stones choose who carry them and in my case this was definitely true. Although, I never personally met Nick, I did know his family. We grew up in the same town, his father was my 6th grade teacher and his older brother was in my class. Nick came from an amazing family that helped forge him into the man he became. He was intelligent, caring and a hero. Through the whole hike, I felt Nick with me. I cried when I told his story, I felt a deep loss but also a sense of light when thinking of him. He died way too soon and with so much he could have done. I was beyond grateful to carry and tell his and story and I will forever remember his name.
God Bless Nick, his family and his friends.
Missy