US Army Specialist Galen F. Hisler, Jr.
29 Sep 1992 – 22 Feb 2023
US Army SPC Galen Forest Hisler, Jr. was born the son of Tricia and Galen Sr. on September 29, 1992. He grew up in Somerville, ME and attended Erskine Academy. As a young man, Galen loved fooling around and making jokes. He had a mischievous and playful streak in him that continued throughout his life. Galen earned the nickname “Fluffy” at school, because he was known as a social butterfly – always talking to the other students and moving from desk to desk and having the teachers and students laughing, He chose to follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather by serving in the Army. This willingness to serve was true to his nature – he was a man that would drop whatever he was doing to help others.
SPC Hisler enlisted in the Maine Army National Guard in 2013 as a horizontal construction engineer in the 262nd Engineer Company. In 2016, he transferred to the 619th Transportation Company United States Army Reserve and became a motor transportation operator (88M), where he deployed to Poland in support of NATO operations. His service earned him several awards, including the Armed Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Ribbon, Army Reserves Achievement Medal, and Army Commendation Medal.
Galen chose to serve his community in addition to his country by also acting as a volunteer firefighter for both Somerville and Whitefield Fire Departments for many years. He and his beloved wife Beth made their home together in Whitefield, ME where they raised their cherished and precious son, Carter. Galen was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, tinkering on his vehicles, and spending time with his family. A social person with an unforgettable sense of humor, Galen will be remembered as a generous and passionate person with an old soul.
SPC Hisler was a true patriot and was proud to follow in his family’s footsteps by serving both his country and his community. He was taken from his family on February 22nd, 2023 as a result of a vehicle accident while serving in Auburn, ME.
To honor her son, Tricia chose a unique and beautiful stone that Galen found during a moose hunt off the Golden Road in northern Maine. He gifted the stone to his mother, as she was an avid collector of interesting stones.
10 Comments
Hello everyone, this is all new to me… Everything’s new… I had the honor to carry my Son’s stone this past Memorial weekend. I was on The Gold Team, with an amazing group of people who were so awesome and amazing and compassionate and comforting… I really didn’t have any idea what to expect. I am so very thankful for The Summit Project, and everyone behind and work in the background of the Project.. Carrying Galen’s stone was something I new I HAD to do,,,
As for all those men and women we lost, left a BIG hole in our hearts, that we can’t let them be forgotten, Listening to the stories about the other men and women is a blessing, reminds me that maybe just maybe that a piece of each of them will live in my heart with my son,,, and I would like to think that a part of my son’s memory will be remembered in the other hikers hearts too…
The pain that is felt from all who lost someone, and those volunteers who Hike with the stones,,, and Carrying a most precious gift that no one can take away,,, from this past weekend or any other Hike or adventure that our loved ones will go on, and taking the stones is like they are right there being an encouragement.
My son will Live on in his son, and in his whole family and will be greatly missed by all his nieces and nephews,,,,
I hope to do this again and talk to more Gold Star families and Hikers and volunteers everyone and the new Friends I made..
It was a huge honor to be part of this special weekend,
A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to The Summit Project.
TRICIA HISLER
To the family of Galen Hisler.
It was my honor and privilege to carry his memorial stone on the motorcycle convoy from Portland, Maine to Millinocket Maine. The day started out a little rough as we left the hotel at 6 AM and headed to the Elks. It was a light rain. We left Portland Elks a little bit after nine with a police escort from the Maine state police and Cumberland county sheriffs department, on our way to our first pitstop in Gardner Maine it started to pour. We stopped in Gardner and It stopped raining and we just had light sprinkles all the way to Bangor for a second pitstop. After a quick break and lunch we got back on our motorcycles to head north for our next pitstop in Medway. This is a very short break. We knew we needed to get to Millinocket to deliver your loved ones memorial stone to you. As we came into town of Millinocket the roads were lined with people, waving flags, clapping and cheering knowing that were transporting not just our heroes, but your hero. As I walked out to the center of the tent and introduced myself and introduced your hero to everybody. It was my great honor and privilege to meet his family and know how much he was loved by each and everyone of you. I’m very very happy that you are now part of The Summit Project family, and can’t wait to see you at for future events. Again, it was my honor and privilege to escort our hero Galen on this great journey. The day will be remembered not only my thoughts, but in my heart.
Sincerely,
Shawn Boutaugh
U.S. Navy
Hello. I have often thought of you, I couldn’t remember your name and I have a very hard ti.e navigating the web and things to see these posts. If I could have figured it out sooner I would have responded sooner. And to have you carry Galens stone on his maiden voyage, his ever anywhere, was an honor for me to receive it and see it for the first time was amazing. And it meant the world to me words cant express. Your in my heart. Your words mean alot to me. ❤️
To the family of Galen Hisler,
I had the honor of carrying Galin’s stone during a hike on Mt. Agamenticus, and to say it was an honor would be an understatement. The life he chose to live, a one full of compassion and caring for all those he touched is a legacy that will never be forgotten. Myself a father makes me further appreciate the time that your son’s act of enlisting and serving an act that really helps all those that read of his story appreciate it. As a father the lessons you teach your children are how they grow into the adults that keep our country going, and unlike a lot of people in this world I feel that your son, as well as you, and your father have made to keep this country safe, knowing with a son, and with a wife, he didn’t have to helps me understand just how much values play a part in how we live during our time on earth and after. For that while I was able to carry on his memory during the hike, its his legacy of offering to lead a life of supporting all those around us, his friends and his family that will live on forever. The emotional touch that the stone is something he specifically chose, and had gifted to you, and now carries his legacy for events like this, makes the stone symbolic of something more than just his service, but the foundation of growth, leadership and character alot more people should strive to be like. The 2-3 hours I was able to spend carrying that stone is only a moment in time but not something I will forget as I continue to try and mold my own legacy in the shadow of heroes such as your son. Thank you for allowing the TSP project the ability to carry on your son’s legacy so I could be a part of it, and take in a little of the joys he shared in life, such as the outdoors.
Sincerely,
Tim Hand
Hello, This is Galens Mom,
I am not to smart on how to navigate the site to see posts and
I just saw your comment .
I greatly greatly appreciate it, everything you said means a lot to me. I will show his son my grandson your comments when he gets older. That is if my ex-daughter in law let’s us see him.
Anyway I greatly Love reading your words.
I carried his stone this pasted weekend at the Baxter Event with TSP. And it was amazing to do it, and spend time with all the wonderful people of TSP.
I pray I can do it next year. If my pension Money permits. Thank you again from the bottom of my ❤️
To: The Galen Family
Hello,
I was so lucky to bring your loved one up the mountain. I had the honor of carrying Galen’s stone. While climbing I really felt the sacrifice of Galen with the stone. From what I know and read; he was a great man who loved making jokes. I would have really liked to have met him. Galen sounded like a great man and great dad. I hope your family is doing well and are finding happiness.
Love,
The Camper
Hello I just saw your post. I have trouble navigating the web sites.
Anyway thank you so very very much it means a lot to me. Galen loved people and he was known as a social butterfly at school and every where he went. He loved being involved in all conversations and helping people and just having FUN. My baby my boy no matter how old you get, even now I still count.
Thank you I greatly greatly appreciate it.
Hello everyone. I wanted to make a post. I carried my son Galen Jr.s stone with team white this past Memorial weekend with the Summit Project, at the Baxter Event . It was awesome the weather was absolutely beautiful Saturday and Sunday the day for the Hike and there was an amazing sunset Saturday evening. And the hike was phenomenal. The teams members were absolutely fantastic and just to carry my son’s stone was so full of emotions and tears and through all the tears it was a really good time. And listening to everyones stories, and to learn about others who we have lost, and they will remain in my heart and I like to think that part of my sons memory will last in the hearts of others on the team and then some.
I had to carry his stone again this year made me feel closer to Galen again. That may sound strange but its how I feel. If I am in arms reach of the stone I want to hold it.
It was an honor to be apart of this fabulous weekend with these amazing people.
I love the Summit Project people they are amazing.
I hope to do this again.
A HUGE Thank you, to everyone that helped make this weekend special for me. ❤️
Tricia Hisler
Hello Tricia and everyone. I had the honor and privilege to carry Galen’s stone and story from Portland to Millinocket in the motorcycle convoy. I learned about and was touched by Galen’s story before I arrived in Portland and received his stone. But, nothing compared to the feelings that overwhelmed me while I carried his stone to his family and thought of his sacrifice for all of us. Then I had the pleasure of meeting you, Tricia and you told me more about your son, Galen and his family and shared the story of your special bear. Galen was a kind, giving, special person! Galen and your family, will remain in my memory and heart forever. I will carry his story in the pocket of my vest everywhere I go and share his story with those I meet. I hope to see you again next year! God Bless!
Hello
Thank you again for taking such great care of my sons stone. It was an honor for me to meet you and receive the stone. I want to do this again next year and I hope to see you there. My daughter and I have already taked about planning and saving so we can. It will be fantastic.. to do it again