MSgt Ryan C.C. Love passed away unexpectedly on July 19, 2012. He grew up in Frankfort, Maine. Ryan was a dedicated career Marine. He had five years left until full retirement. Ryan was a loving Husband, Son, Father, Brother, and Friend.
To honor MSgt Ryan C. C. Love, his mother-in-law, Raye Rolston of Stockton Springs, ME, asked her niece, Rachel Larrabee to retrieve a stone. Rachel found the perfect stone, shaped like the state of Maine, on a beautiful beach in Bar Harbor.
Watch this video to learn why this stone is significant and what it says about MSgt Ryan C. C. Love.
48 Comments
Hello. My name is Greg Lozier. My wife Paula and I are both members of the Patriot Riders of America Maine Chapter 2 here in Brunswick. We will be on the Summit Project escort ride Friday May 23, 2014 from Portland to Millinocket. We are extremely proud and honored to be carrying the Stone dedicated in honor of our Nation’s and State’s Fallen Hero MSGT Ryan C.C. Love. We are looking forward to hopefully meeting members of Ryan’s family.
my name is Gary White Jr. I am a member of the Wilderness walk for warriors and I will be carrying MSGT Ryan C.C love’s stone during a 115 mile hike from monson maine to the top of Katahdin. It will be a great honor to carry the stone and to meet his family.
God bless you for carrying the stone n the honor. ..so proud of you brother! – Stefanie
When I was notified by David Cote that I would not only be participating in the Summit Projectâs hike at Acadia National Park, but had been given the immense honor of carrying a fallen soldierâs stone to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, I was both honored and extremely nervous. What would I say to the family? What would they think of me? What if I let my emotions get the best of me? As the wife of a MSgt in the Air Force, I also couldnât help but think how easily I could be standing in their shoes⌠how one moment in time could leave me without my husband. If that were me, what would I want people to say, to know, or to do to honor my loved one and their sacrifice? Like the stone that I would carry, that was a weighty thing to consider; for the families of the fallen, itâs the reality that they face every day. Think about that for a moment.
After meeting Raye Rolston and learning about her son-in-law, Ryan C. C. Love, she adequately described her situation as âbeing a member of a club that no one wants to be inâ. She, along with the other family members I met on that cold, rainy day in October were some of the strongest and most courageous people that I have ever (and probably ever will) meet. We carried their heroesâ stones for but a moment in time, yet they will carry their grief for the rest of their lives. The amazing thing about the Summit Project is that, in that brief amount of time, we are forever changed; by the stories of the heroes we carried, by the families we met, and by the challenges we faced on our hike. We will not only remember the fallen and their families, but have an obligation to share their stories to everyone that we meet so that the world will know about their sacrifices.
As for the hike itself, I found myself surrounded by an amazing group of people⌠Mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers, friends and family, young and old (or young at heart if you know Gunny!) We made our way up the trail fairly quickly and, although we were dripping wet and shivering with the wind gusting in our faces most of the way, I never heard one complaint. We took our mission seriously because we knew how important it was to honor those we carried. I found it fitting that the rain poured down on us that day- to keep us humble and remind us that our heroes faced far worse conditions, that they would probably love to be facing them with us on that hike, and in my own mind, I couldnât help but think that maybe that was Heaven crying along with usâŚ
Through Ryanâs story, I have learned that life itself is a mountain; there are peaks and there are valleys. There are moments where you can feel the sun on your face and see for miles, and still others where you find yourself in darkness with seemingly no way out. When I tell people about Ryan, I will tell them that there is always a reason to climb, that there wonât always be darkness, and that, if you can make it through the rise and the fall, through the peaks and valleys, that the view from the top is worth the fight it took to get there. Rest easy, Ryan⌠we will remember you.
Kristy, Gary, Dave, Inge What’s there to say other than…THANK- YOU…straight from my heart!!
Kristi……..eloquent……………..
Hello, I am a 65 year old, 20-year Army mother who is thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail with my soldier daughter, Staff Sgt. Ilene Henderson. We were introduced to the Maine Summit Project while resting and visiting a friend who took us to the Portland, ME Marathon Run on Sun., Oct. 5, 2014. We were at the National Guard Armory to meet the NG Unit that walked the 26.2 mile marathon that day. The Memorial Stones were on display as the soldiers carrying stones returned them after the marathon. We met family members. In talking with Major Cote at the event, we asked if we could each carry a stone as we continue our hike through the White Mountains in New Hampshire. I proudly accepted the stone of MSG Ryan Love and want his family to know that together, he and I have summitted all the mountains of the White Mountians, including the Presidential Range since October 6. I show his two-pound stone and information card to hikers along the trail, at the summits, and in the hiker lean-to shelters. We have taken photos of me holding his stone at each summit. I hope his family can feel the love and compassion I hold for them. I know they wish they could be hiking these mountains with their marine as I am able to do with my soldier daughter.
An Army Mom, Inge Henderson = trail name is “Hendo’s Mom”
Follow us at: postwarhike.blogspot.com
Bless both of you for carrying our Beloved Ryan’s Stone. We miss him every day and are so pleased that our State of ME is remembering our fallen and making sure they are never forgotten….<3
Dear Love family,
The day my teacher told us about the Summit Project he assigned us names of veterans. When I first heard Ryan Love’s name I smiled to myself. Just the name touched me. I can relate, my father’s name is Ryan and love is something that I take seriously. Once I started to read and learn about Ryan it deepened my understanding about sacrifice. I read that he was a loving husband, son, friend and father. I saw the picture of him and his daughter and I immediately thought about my father. I have a loving relationship with him and I don’t know what I’d do if he left suddenly. I realized that Ryan wasn’t the only one making a sacrifice, you are. Every day you have to live with terrible loss. I respect and admire what Ryan Love and you, as his family did for our country.
Respectfully,
Grace Hayes
I did a hike, for The Summit Project, up Borestone Mountain on March 21, 2015. I had the honor of carrying the stone of MSgt Ryan C. C. Love. I have been thinking the past couple of weeks of what to say. The hike was a little hard for me. I didn’t quite make it to the peak, but I came close. I was not going to do the hike, but then someone was saying that I should. I thought about it for a day or two and then I decided to do, to honor the fallen heros, and that it was the least that I could do to show my appreciation, especially for what the soldiers have done for me and our country. I did not pick my stone, I had Chad Januskiewicz, the leader of our hike, pick it for me. I thought that it was pretty cool that Ryan grew up in Frankfort, Maine, just couple of hours from where I have lived my whole life. One lesson that can be learned is: that if you are going to do something, dedicate yourself to it. When the hike got hard for me, I thought how hard it must have been for Sgt. Love to be away from his family, especially his adorable little girl, and friends, and I kept pushing myself to go forward. Because I did not make it to the top, I didn’t get to say anything about Sgt. Love, but one of the people from my group said something about him for me. The stone was not as heavy as I was expecting it to be the more I got tired and worn out. People in my group were encouraging each other like I am sure that Ryan did in the service and just in general, life. I really appreciate what MSgt. Ryan C. C. Love did for this country. Doing the hike and learning about Ryan helped me prepare some for when my boyfriend is gone fighting for the country in the Marines, like Sgt. Love. I want to thank the family of Sgt. Love for letting me take the stone on the hike and letting me have the honor of learning about him and the things that he did. It really was a great pleasure. I hope that one day I might be able to do another hike like the one I did, and carry his stone again. Thank you so much! ~CeceRose
To the parents of MSgt Ryan C.C. Love,
my name is Jacob Lindsey, I am 15, and am currently enrolled in the Nokomis JROTC. On the 29th of May we went of a hike up Bigelow Mountain as a service learning project. It was my Honor to carry Ryans stone to the summit. I hike frequently, but it was a struggle for everyone. When they wanted to stop, most people thought of how their people never stopped. But when people went, I went. I did not think about him making himself go to fight for our freedom, like others did, I just went. I didn’t have to force myself to go because this was important to me and I was dedicated to get it done. Like he was to the Marines. I knew that he was not the kind of man that had to force himself to keep going when things got hard. I was very honored to carry his stone.
Sincerely, Jacob Lindsey
To the family of MSgt Ryan C.C. Love,
I had the honor of hiking The Owl with Ryan’s stone over Memorial Day Weekend with The Summit Project. I read about Ryan here and watched the video that Raye had created with David Cote’s help. While watching the video, the word that kept resonating with me was “Family.” It really struck me how proud Raye sounded of Ryan and how much she loved him like he was her own son. As she said â there was no âin-lawâ necessary. Family doesnât always have to mean sharing blood, and there are ties that run deeper than blood.
Initially this struck a chord with me because of the story Raye told about the gift cards. It was very similar to how my great-grandmother marked the day my father felt like family â when he would not only give freely but also take from those around him. Thatâs what family is â the comfort that comes with unconditional love.
I thought about that a lot as we hiked that day. Iâll admit – Iâm a people watcher. Some of our team had met before, but most of us were strangers to each other. I love just seeing how people interact and connect. Watching Team Red, it was amazing to see how they instantly clicked on the trail. We all came together as a family and created ties on that mountain that were not just to the soldiers we carried, but to each other. All of these ties will go beyond our time with The Summit Project. The team supported each other whether it was just a word of encouragement or physically taking a pack so someone could catch their breath. There was teasing and joking with each other on the trail â the type that creates bonds rather than drives wedges. The way that Raye talked about Ryan, I can picture them interacting like this at times.
The ties that bound each of the soldiers honored through The Summit Project to their communities and families are still very much there. I really feel that through The Summit Project, each of these soldiers continue to weave those ties through this community and make the TSP family larger with each hike. Thank you for sharing Ryanâs story and allowing us to add to our family through honoring yours.
MHANF
Ziggy
On 8/13/2015 Charlie and Kathy Dearborn wrote:
On May 11, 2015 I submitted an application to carry the stone of Msgt Ryan C. C. Love to the 75th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota. My first mission as a Patriot Guard Rider was standing the flagline at Msgt Ryan Loveâs funeral. I participate in the annual âRyanâs Rideâ that family and friends sponsor to raise money for the Wounded Warriors and others. I was fully aware the Msgt Ryan Love was an avid biker and Sturgis is on the bucket list of many bikers.
When I received an email stating that I was approved to carry his stone, I was overwhelmed with emotion and felt deeply honored to be given this privilege. Our journey began on July 30th 2015 at 0400 hours. My wife and I rode 2-up on my motorcycle and we towed a small trailer behind it. After completing 925 miles of riding the bike on the first day, I could almost hear Msgt Ryan Love saying âIs that all you got?â The stone made us feel like his presence was there and we talked to the stone and referred to the stone as if Msgt Ryan Love was there.
Hiking around some of The Badlands and Devils Tower, some people would ask about the stone and I explained The Summit Project and about how Msgt Ryan Love and his family gave many years of service defending our freedom. While carrying the stone to these places, I felt honored, full of pride and also somewhat saddened. I was saddened because it would have been so much better to have the Msgt with us in person. I am glad I wore sunglasses when I was explaining it because when you combine pride and sorrow, your voice begins to crack and your eyes begin to weep.
We completed the 5333.5 mile journey on August 12, 2015 and even though I returned the stone, I sometimes still feel his presence. I hope the family and friends enjoyed all of the pictures that I sent to them and if anyone else would like to see them, look for âRyanâs Rideâ on Facebook, they have shared many of them.
The Summit Project should be a nationwide endeavor so none of our heroes are forgotten!!
Best regards,
Charlie and Kathy Dearborn
MHANF
Hello all,
Sad to say, I was unable to learn of MSgt Love’s passing. I was one of the proud graduates of his tenure as a Senior Drill Instructor. After graduating, I had the honor of getting sound advice with some difficulties I was experiencing while being stationed at a unit filled with “Grunts” and myself being a “POG.”
I will never forget MSgt Ryan C. Love
(While i knew him, he was a SSgt, and was going for a GySgt Board just as we were graduating)
On an October day that started with rain, I embarked on a journey to the summit of Cadillac Mountain with the stone that represents the life of a true American. MSgt. Ryan Love’s story is one that will never leave me. He was a man who worked for his country. The colors of the flag ran through his veins. He honorably served thru seven deployments, never once questioning his dedication. He was five short years from retirement when he lost the greatest battle he ever faced…the one in his heart and his mind. The stigma of suicide is a terrifying reality, and daily we lose more of the great men and women of the armed forces to this sad tragedy. The families are left behind with nothing but their memories. This project allows those of us who share Ryan’s story to send a message of hope to those who may be feeling hopeless, and support to those walking a fine line. As civilians who never have experienced combat situations this is difficult to comprehend, but for those like Ryan the pain must be unbearable for them to feel that they have no other choice. We all need to hold Ryan and his family close to our hearts, and for every time we hear his name or hold his stone, we need to reach out to those around us to make sure they’re connected with people who can help them climb back from the desperation…without judgement or stigma. We need to tell Ryan’s story so that others realize there is hope and help. Sadly, I never had the chance to meet this small town boy, but I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn about his prankster side, about the laughs that he created here on this earth, and about the things he loved. Marine MSgt. Love was cut from a very special piece of cloth, and lived a life of honor. Rest easy, Marine, and thank you for your service. You are deeply missed.
Hi my name is Katelynn, I’m a 16 year old in Nokomis JROTC program. When I first heard about The Summit Project I wasn’t excited at all. I’ve never hiked anything. We were told to look up fallen soldiers from Maine and pick one. There were so many. The first story I clicked on was Ryan’s, and the first thing I saw was a picture of him and his daughter, thatâs when I decided to stop looking. My first thought when I saw the picture was I have to carry his stone. As I read more about Ryan I realized that he not only impacted his family but also his community. I also learned that he was a very dedicated Marine and worked hard. We hiked Big Moose Mountain, and that was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. I have bad asthma and I ended up have 2 asthma attacks on the way up because I was pushing myself to reach the summit. Every time someone told me I could take a break I replied with “No. I have to reach the summit. I won’t be the last one to the summit.” I thought about how he wouldn’t give up, which made me not want to give up and helped me push through it and get to the summit. When I reached the summit I said a brief summary of what I learned about Msgt Ryan Love. Half way through talking about the stones it started raining. When everyone was done talking about the stones we began to walk back down the mountain, which was harder than I thought it would be. My legs were shaky and It was hard to stand, the rocks were so slippery. I ended up twisting my ankle, but I would do it all over again, because that was one of the best experiences Iâve ever had. I was so honored to have carried Msgt Ryan Love’s rock up the mountain.
Dear Family of Ryan C.C. Love,
My name is Margaret E. Boothby and during this past Memorial weekend I had a chance to carry Ryanâs stone and share a few stories about him at the top of the Owl peak with my fellow hikers. This was my second hike with the Summit Project and again it was a fulfilling experience to be able to spend this important holiday doing something that truly defines it, that is, commemorating the life of Ryan and lives of many other fallen, as opposed to treating this day as just another day off spent on parties or barbeques. One can relate to TSP on several different dimensions, and for me, since I grew up in Poland, a country that had suffered unimaginable losses during WWII, of which impact and remembrance still carries on through generations, spending this day on paying tribute to all the fallen in a meaningful way always feels like a duty.
On the day of the hike we certainly were not pampered by the light and warmth of the sun, but rather rain was our companion for the good portion of the ascend. As an ATL covering the end tail of our group and helping one of the hikers, I loved seeing bonds that were developing among our team members, who, just a little while ago, were complete strangers to each other. Regardless of the rain, dampness and cold that started getting to some of them, everyone was invigorated by the common cause that we were hiking for. Our circle ceremony at which we shared stories of our fallen couldnât happen without a few tears, a few moments of silence and our own reflections.
It would have been great to meet and chat with some of you in person to learn more about Ryan, nevertheless I truly enjoyed the stories told by Raye in the video, which still allowed me to contour Ryanâs character and personality. I respect the fact that he came from a humble background, where holidays werenât necessarily the times of extravagant spending, but rather another day in the calendar, and I admire the fact that because of that background he learnt to appreciate little things in life, like his sport practices to which he had to travel on a bike. I particularly enjoyed the story about the Valentineâs day as it showed his almost painful dose of honesty that I highly respect in people, as well as his ability to give credit wherever the credit might have been due. I will remember him as a person who was a little bit of a prankster, but did not seek fame or recognition and could easily do without pomp and fanfares, a noble trait nowadays.
Finally, as I was learning about Ryan, I couldnât help but reflect on the meaning of his interesting yet beautiful last name, since it means so much to all of us. Ryan was a loving husband, son, father, brother and friend, and I couldnât help but smile hearing his mother-in-law Raye, saying she would much rather drop the in-law part. It is devastating that Ryan had succumbed to the challenges of his life in the post-deployment stage, however I hope to convey to you that his life and sacrifice is remembered, and he is not forgotten.
Sincerely,
Margaret E. Boothby
Margaret,
Ryan was my brother, an amazing brother. He is truly missed by many. Thank you so much for carrying his stone and reflecting on the man he was.
My name is Michael Riddle, I just happened to go online and google my former drill instructors only to learn that my drill hat, SSgt Love (at the time) passed away. I only knew him for those long 3 months at Paris Island, but I will tell you, and I’m proud to tell you that, MSgt Love made me into a United States Marine. May God be with you, and I will never be able to thank you enough for what you trained me to be.
To the family and friends of Ryan,
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.
“Today I hiked Table Rock mountain with Ryan. I didn’t think that I could hike the 2 miles up, but as I thought about Ryan and the missions he had, I thought about my hiking mission, and that got me up the mountain. I pushed myself when things got tough and even when I was in pain. I stayed strong. My mission was to take him to the top. I pushed myself mentally and physically. My goal for the day wasn’t for me but to get Ryan to the top. Once I finished the hike with Ryan in my hands, I felt so proud. He was such a great man. I am sorry for your loss.
Love,
Tori”
To All Who Knew Ryan,
A group of 12 hikers carried four stones from the The Summit Project to the summit of Mt Tom in NH on 09/11/2016. One of those was Ryan’s stone. It was an absolute privilege to have the stone that Ryan’s family had chosen with us on this trip.
One member of our group had researched Ryan’s story before our trip and then shared what they had learned about him with the others in our group while we were gathered at the summit. That sharing culminated in the telling of the Harley-Davidson story. It brought both a chuckle to the group as well as sadness knowing that Ryan was no longer with his family and friends and was no longer enjoying tinkering with his Harley.
Our trip to Mt Tom on this day coincided with the Flags on the 48 event held each September 11 on the 48-4,000 foot mountains in NH. Teams carry and proudly erect an American flag on each summit in memory of those who died or suffered other injuries on 9/11. Having Ryan’s stone there with us and sharing the flag flying high and strong with him in some way added to the meaning of the day for all of us.
May God Bless Ryan’s Family & Friends.
With Respect,
Ray, Sue, Leslie, Scott, Paul, Angie, Sue, Paul, Kim, Jon, Kristen, Keith (and Bennie the super-hiking dog)
I had the honor of carrying the âServiceâ stone in two different events over the Veterans Day weekend, November 2016. I was initially given the responsibility of honoring MSgt Ryan C. C. Love but at the last minute his stone was redirected. Even though I had the âserviceâ stone, my heart was carrying the memory of MSgt Love. To take his spirit up to the summit of Blue Hill Mountain and then again around the 4 mile trek through the neighborhoods of Ellsworth, Maine during the Veteranâs Remembrance Race was quite inspirational. During the time we were with our fallen soldiers, we paid tribute to those that lost their lives on and off the battlefield. We also came together and did 22 push ups in recognition of all the veterans who lost their lives to the silent demons that haunt them. I believe all soldiers are brave, strong heroes. We ask them to do horrendous tasks to keep our country safe. They put their lives on the line and for that I am eternally grateful!
My heart goes out to MSgt Loveâs family, friends, and those that knew him. I am blessed that I had the opportunity to have a glimpse into a small portion of Ryanâs life and thankful that he had love in his life, even through his darkest moments.
MSgt Ryan Love, you will never be forgotten! God bless you!
Bradbury Mountain, Pownal, Maine
November 20, 2016
I had the honor and privilege of carrying the stone and story of MSgt Ryan Love, on a TSP hike to the summit of Bradbury Mountain on Sunday 11/20/16, with a group of 18 fellow hikers. I want to offer my deepest condolences to Ryanâs family. I was happy to see Ryanâs stone at the pre-hike venue, and I immediately requested that I carry his stone. Mainly because I met and hiked with Ryanâs brother Bucky, during the TSP at Cadillac hike in October, 2016. I felt a connection to Ryan because of hearing Buckyâs story about his brother, and after the hike to Bradbury, I felt like Ryan was a new friend.
MSgt Ryan C.C. Love passed away unexpectedly on July 19, 2012. He grew up in Frankfort, Maine. Ryan was a dedicated career Marine. He had five years left until full retirement. Ryan was a loving Husband, Son, Father, Brother, and Friend. He was a 17 year veteran of the USMC.
To honor MSgt Ryan C. C. Love, his mother-in-law, Raye Rolston of Stockton Springs, ME, asked her niece, Rachel Larrabee to retrieve a stone. Rachel found the perfect stone, shaped like the state of Maine, on a beautiful beach in Bar Harbor. I showed our group of hikers the stone, and spoke about Ryan at our post-hike ceremony to honor our fallen soldiers. I shared a picture of Ryan holding his daughter. I relayed to my fellow hikers how Ryan was loved by his brother Bucky, despite being the victim of many of Ryanâs pranks in their younger years. Brotherly love never ends, it continues even after our loved ones are gone.
A Searsport District High School graduate, Love joined the Marines in 1997, served in Kosovo and the Mediterranean, and served two tours in Iraq. He is survived by his wife, Leslie Love; their daughter, Liberty Ryan Love; and his parents, Matt Love of Frankfort and Valerie Colpitts of Levant. When home from foreign duty, Ryan loved to ride his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
I enjoyed reading about Ryan, and Rayeâs comment that losing Ryan is like âbelonging to a club that you never want to belong toâ really hit home with me. This really caught my attention, because I too have lost a son named Ryan, in a motorcycle accident, and I have often said, over the years that it is like belonging to a club that you donât want to belong to. I feel that Raye and I have both experienced the greatest loss that a parent can experience. We have to remember the good times and be thankful for the years that they were here with us.
My name is Ashley MacKenzie and I was honored to carry the stone and story of Marine Master Sargent Ryan C. Love. Ryan grew up in Maine, and I came across his stone during a hike I did last year with the Summit Project. I was intrigued by his story, as the hiker carrying his stone talked about his life. His personality shone through, even before I got to know him on my own. I was intrigued, and wanted to know more about this hero and all he has done for our country. I was lucky enough to be assigned his stone for the BSP hike weekend.
A few days prior to the Memorial day weekend at Baxter state park, I was lucky enough to have been able to meet up and have lunch with 5 wonderful ladies who were related to Ryan. I wanted to know more about him and his story, and honestly I could not have met with better people to do so. They each told stories about Ryan, and shared some of their best memories of him, and all the while they all had a sparkle in their eye. It was so evident that Ryan and his huge personality, really did have an impact on everyone that knew him. I also learned about how caring and giving to others that Ryan was. Ryan was married to Leslie Love, and they two had a beautiful daughter named Liberty Love, but those were just two of the many family that he loved and cared for. From what I could tell, Ryan always put others first. And even though he was a Master Sargent in the Marine Core, he had a soft sensitive side, and a big heart. Raye, Ryanâs mother-in-law, told me so many stories about Ryan and with each story, I felt that I knew Ryan even better. There was laughter and tears, and lots of love that poured out of each one of these women when speaking about Ryan, and though the lunch with them was very sad because Ryan is no longer here, it was very heart warming.
Prior to the hike, I try to find emotional and spiritual ways to connect with my hero, Ryan. It wasnât until the day before the hike that I understood how my connection would be made. Rachael, Ryanâs cousin, messaged me and wished me luck on the hike. She also said, âjust keep a heads up! Knowing Ryan, heâs going to find a way to mess with you to let you know heâs with you!â I took it with a grain of salt, but was curious and excited to see what my day with Ryan would bring. Our morning prehike routine started out like any other. I had packed my hiking bag the night prior, except Ryanâs stone which I kept next to me while I slept. When I put Ryans stone in my hiking bag, I noticed I had forgotten to fill up my camel pack with water. I chuckled to myself, thinking it was Ryan that reminded me to fill that because I was setting his stone in my pack. âThank you, Ryâ. I grabbed my pack and poles, and headed out the door.
We started out the hike in good spirits, and like I said, I was anxious to see how Ryan and I would connect. It was minutes later that I noticed my lower back felt a little wet. I knew it wasnât sweat because we had just started out the hike, and the morning was still a bit chilly. I stopped, took my pack off and looked to see if my bottles or pack was leaking. I couldnât notice anything, and thought, oh well. I put my pack back on and noticed everything was getting soaked. My lower back and all the layers I had on, my butt, hips and things were soaked right through all of those layers as well. Again, we stopped and this time I took everything out of my pack to find the tiniest little opening in the pack that I had filled the morning priorâŚ.the pack that Ryan reminded me to fill. At first I was frustrated and mad at myself. But as I got hiking I thought about what Rachel had said, and how Ryan would be messing with me throughout the day. It made me smile, and I felt our connection immediately. As the hike went on and the incline got difficult, and the weather increased, I was so thankful to have on those cool wet clothes! They kept me cool and comfortable throughout the tough hike, and I had to thank Ryan for that. Thanks buddy ď
Throughout the remainder of the day I was able to make more special and unique connections with Ryan that I will cherish forever. He may not be on this earth anymore, but his spirit and heart still is. I, nor anyone will never know the burden that Ryan tried to carry himself, while serving our country. He, to me, is an absolute true hero, and what will always be remembered as such.
The 5th Annual Ryanâs Ride
Ryanâs family have started a benefit event to remember Ryan and keep his memory alive, called Ryans Ride. This year, being the 5th year, the event will consist of a motorcycle ride that starts in Searsport, rides through Brewer and ends in Stockton Springs with multiple stops throughout the day and will end with a cookout (provided by Texas Roadhouse) and live music. The 5th annual Ryanâs Ride will be held on July 22nd. For more information, check out Ryanâs Ride on Facebook, or contact Raye @ 207-322-7276 or Cleon @ 321-482-7498.
Thank you Ashley for honoring our hero. This brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes. My heart is happy knowing Ryan’s mememory lives on. Hugs..Rachael
I had the honor of carrying MSgt Ryan C. C. Loveâs stone up to the summit of Cadillac Mt. on a beautiful July day. I was accompanied by seven other women. We were friends, strangers, and co-workers. With our precious cargo of hand-picked stones in our packs, we were one in our mission to honor our Maine heroes and carry their memory so that they will never be forgotten. The wind was intense that day. Like the stones, it was our constant companion, urging us on like an encouraging caress. I believe that those who have passed leave us signs. We came across a perfectly heart-shaped puddle in an otherwise dry surrounding and knew our soldiers were with us.
Our military and their families exemplify the best of the American spirit; Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Ryan dedicated his life in order that others could strive for a better life. Possibly the most consequential belief he had was freedom, evident in his beautiful daughterâs name, Liberty. He gave up so much to ensure that all Americans and those they fought for, could pursue what makes them happy, perhaps at his own expense.
I am humbled by the strength and love youâve exhibited in your loss of your beloved husband, son, father, brother, and friend. Ryanâs dedication to protecting and serving his country and what it stands for must have caused him great pain, at times. You also must have suffered along with him. For Ryanâs and your sacrifice, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and extend my heart-felt sympathy. You are all heroes.
With deepest respect and appreciation,
Karen Perry
This was my first hike for The Summit Project. I knew going into it that it would be a taxing day emotionally for me. For as many of you did not know prior, the stone I was carrying held a special meaning.
Master Sergeant Ryan Love of the United States Marine Corps was family to me. He had been there for me through my entire life, from when I was just crawling on the floor to the day we lost him. As soon as I had the chance to carry his stone I took it. Ryan was and still is that hero figure in my life, though he has left us physically, his attitude and way of life lives on in all of us that were close to him.
My day on October 14, 2017 started like any other day I would go for a hike, but when I walked into the tent at Smugglers Den Campground, it hit me. This was the day I would be carrying Ryan up Cadillac Mountain along with dozens of fellow hikers who in turn were honoring a fallen Mainer, some with a connection as close as mine and others who just wanted to do their part for such a righteous cause.
The weather that day was perfect for hiking, mild temperatures, no percipitation, and no hot sun beating down on us. I was fortunate to be placed on team Bubble, the most challenging trail which included a summit of Pemetic Mountain and Cadillac summit via the west side trail. Ryan wouldnât have wanted it any other way. He loved a good challenge and thats what I set out for that day.
When our team had reached the summit â10 minutes laterâ (Bubble peeps will understand) we found a quaint sport where we could gather for our remembrance circle. As we went around the group telling stories of who our fallen were and how they embraced life to the fullest, it was my turn to speak of Ryan. I lost it emotionally and broke down right there in front of a group of people I had just met, Ryan wouldâve punched my arm so hard for crying over him.
I could go on forever telling stories about Ryan and how he always brought a smile to the room and never failed at making everybody laugh. The one I will leave you all with is a great example of Ryanâs persistency and willingness to accept a challenge.
Ryan was home on leave for a couple weeks and we had a pair of homemade balance sticks that my aunt Rayeâs (Ryanâs mother in law) boyfriend had made. Just imagine about an eight foot, hand carved branch with a small piece of wood attached about two feet up for a place to put your foot. I was just a young boy at the time and remember them being too big for me to negotiate. So my dad and Ryan were going back and forth taking turns to see who could walk further each time. Each attempt accompanied by a fall and the usual sarcastic trash talk. Not a pivotal moment in life but one that I will remember forever.
RIP MSGT
MHANF
Alec
To the family members and friends of USMC MSgt Ryan C.C. Love,
It was an honor and privilege to carry the stone and story of your loved one, Ryan Love, on May 27th, 2018. I carried the stone with me on a Spirit Hike at the New England Outdoor Center in Millinocket, Maine. I was one of the TSP volunteers who stayed behind at Base Camp to support the Gold Star families and help with the Spirit Hike. About ten of us (volunteers and Gold Star family members) joined us for a short hike on a snowmobile trail. It was a beautiful day: sunny and clear with comfortable temperatures. It was the kind of day that is meant to be spent outside with friends and loved ones.
I am inspired by Ryanâs dedication to his country and his family. As a man who spent his adulthood in the Marine Corps, he knew sacrifice and what it meant to put his life on the line. Ryan passed away only five years away from his retirement. Aside from his strong military career, Ryan also held the important titles of father, husband, son and brother. The photo of him with his daughter, Liberty shows the affection he held for his beautiful daughter. The bond between them is clearly one of love, tenderness, and trust.
My heart goes out to Ryanâs family and friends as his life was cut short unexpectedly. Sadly, Ryan had so much more life ahead of him to live. My thoughts will be with his family on every Memorial Day from now on. I hope they feel some comfort in knowing that his story goes on being told with TSP. His legacy of bravery and devotion live in on his loved ones and friends. It was a privilege to learn about his life and carry his stone. During the circle ceremony, I was overcome with appreciation for his service to his country.
Thank you to his family members, Raye and Rachel for sharing his story and retrieving this beautiful tribute stone from Bar Harbor. As I spoke about Ryan at the circle ceremony, I felt the edges of the stone and thought about its shape. The shape of the stone represents the state of Maine, but I also thought about the spirit of Mainers. Ryan was a true Mainer because of how exemplified service and leadership.
MHANF
Mairin Gulliver
Iâm not even sure where to start, because I keep going back to the hike at ANP this last weekend, and when I meet MSgt Loves Aunt and Cousin for lunch the week before. Than returning MSgt Loves stone back to his aunt at the end of the hike. These are memories that will always be with me. When I heard that I would be caring the stone of a fellow Marine, I told myself that I got this. Boy was I wrong.
MSgt Love started out in life on the rough side; more so than any of us would ever understand. He could have chosen to stay on the same path that he was shown, but he chose to make his own, and decided to break the mold. He wanted to be in the Marine Corps from the beginning, but the Air Force grabbed him up before that could happen. But as fate would have it, he would join my beloved Corps. He was known as a true leader. Knowing that he would ask his men to do anything that he wouldnât do. He carried this idea with him as he became a boot camp Drill Instructor, and senior Drill Instructor. He also led troops in combat while in the infantry. Receiving many awards and medals. During this time, he would marry his high school sweetheart, and have a beautiful daughter named Liberty. But with time his childhood and combat demons would catch up with him. He was taken from us way to soon.
To my brother MSgt Ryan Love
Know that you are missed more than you will ever know. It was a true honor to be able to carry your stone and story. When it is my time, I hope to be able to sit down and have a beer with you as we watch the deer walk by in the distance.
Scott B. Carson
SSgt USMC Ret.
I am so appreciative of the heartfelt comments of our beloved Ryan. He was all of this and more. He will forever be in our hearts and till we meet again, love and miss you Ryan.
Thank-you sooooo much Scott for your heartfelt caring…..You are a wonderful man and Ryan would have been proud to call you a friend. Hugs
To the family of MSgt Ryan Love,
I’m sorry for the loss you continue to experience. It is my honor and privilege on this Valentines Day to reach out to you and thank you for your loved ones service. His and your sacrifice has been above and beyond what any could ask of a person. I wish I could be more eloquent in expressing my gratitude and respect. Please know that I am thinking of you and him today.
Respectfully,
Beverly Tilton
To the family and loved ones of MSgt Ryan C. C. Love,
I had the distinct honor and privilege of carrying the stone and sharing the story of Ryan for the TSP at BSP 2019 event. They say the stone chooses the person…and I knew from the moment I was assigned to his stone that this would be a hike to remember. Much like Ryanâs motorcycle wouldnât start at the beginning of his memorial ride all those years ago, Katahdin wasnât cooperating for our planned hike of the Owl this year. All of the major trails were closed this year due to a very wild winter season, including the Owl. So, we did what any great leader like Ryan would doâwe enacted Plan B: We were to embark on a stunning 6 mile hike of the Rainbow Lake Loop in the Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area. This would be new territory for all of us and we embraced our task excitedly without hesitation. Thatâs what our soldiers would have done.
The hike was exactly as a young Ryan would have wanted. Wandering through wistful fields of lush green fairy moss and surrounded by an ethereal mist from the clouds this somber day, it reminded me of a coastal trail he might have found himself on in his youth. The hike itself was truly beautiful, tranquil, and void of the dark distractions from the outside world. As we traced the edges of 3 separate ponds, I couldnât help but think of how much Ryan would have truly enjoyed fishing here. Our team of 8 hikers grew from strangers to family as we shared the emotional stories of our soldiers taken from us too soon.
Thank you to Jessica, for taking the time to share with me stories and pictures of your childhood with Ryan and Buck. The smiles on your faces in those photos shows that your bond as siblings was a gift beyond anything money could buy. You had each otherâand those memories are forever priceless. Keep those stories and memories close and know that he is still with you all.
Thank you, Raye for sharing with me the most beautifully bittersweet cup of coffee that I will remember and cherish for years to come. Your love for him is still strong and forever a part of your heart. Each time you share his story and those perfectly captured pictures, his memory continues to live on. He was a husband, a father, a brother, a son, a friend. He was brave, a hard worker, a true leader, dedicated, and determined. A true hero.
I shared the weight of the PTSD stone with my teammate for this journey. It is in no way comparable to what our soldiers face when returning home to a world that often seems darker than when they left. Itâs fitting that we ended up in the Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area this yearâDebsconeag means âcarrying place.â Please know that I will carry Ryanâs story with me every single day as I do my best to offer help, hope, and light for my patients as they work to overcome those darkest of days.
MHANF
Courtney Evans
Was it fate? Do you believe that things happen for a reason? From the moment I received the name of the fallen hero that I would have the privilege and honor to carry for The Summit Project I knew there were divine connections at hands. Master Sergeant Ryan C.C. Love a Marine, countryman, a husband, a son, a brother, a friend, and most importantly a father, and now a fallen soldier whose light no longer flickers upon this earth though his memory lingers in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. While I never had the opportunity to know him on this earth, I found myself communing with him as the miles ticked by on my motorcycle. I learned MSGT Ryan C.C. Love had a motorcycle and enjoyed riding. I asked permission to ride beside him that day. As the miles ticked on my odometer I often found myself in thought about why this man’s stone was chosen for me to carry. First and foremost a thought that came to mind was the manner in which he passed. Suicide is something that is hard to wrap ones head around, so many unanswered questions, so many places to lay blame, guilt of not being able to help, helplessness, the list goes on⌠I know because my father in law took his own life. There is so much agony that those left behind put upon ourselves, but truly it pales in comparison to that which the person enduring such pain went through to get them to that point. To all MSGT’s family, friends, and acquaintances he loved each of you dearly this act was not meant to hurt you personally. Secondly the name Ryan. Ryan is the name of my youngest child. As those of you know who have children you love each child differently not less or more than the others just different. My Ryan is charismatic, has a sense of humor that I believe rivals the MSGT’s as I reflected on the stories from Raye Rolston, his mother in law. I believe their special bond was very similar to the bond I shared with my father in law. MSGTâS middle initials C. C. are my first and last initials, maybe pure coincidence, but choose to think otherwise. I believe his last name âLove” maybe the one thing I pondered most. My father a Navy man served during the cold war his passing was due to an excruciatingly painful form of cancer that plucked him from us in only 3 short months. I told my father he served his family well and told him it was okay to go, to not suffer in pain any longer and asked him to send me a sign. Soon after his passing I received my sign in the form of a heart a representation of âLove.â I receive random hearts when I need them most, and sometimes they come from other people, a friend or family member will send me a picture of a heart and will often comment they donât know why they needed to share it with me, but that they felt pressed upon to share it. MSGT Ryan C. C. Love has a daughter and there is nothing more precious than the connection a father and daughter share. To his daughter; look for him he is with you, he loves you immensely, he has never left your side! Lastly but certainly not least, the whole idea behind the Summit Project I am so thankful to have been a part of this yearâs pilgrimage, I hope that I will be able to continue to be a part of this community of people to love and honor our fallen heroes. I was not able to participate in a memorial for my father so for me this was a way to be a part of something larger than myself, to honor the life of a Maine fallen hero and that of my own fallen hero, my father and for that I am forever grateful âĄ
What are the odds?
Marines have made quite an impact on my life, even in their passing. They pop up during the strangest times. For instance, MSgt Ryan Love was a Marine, and his stone found its way to me.
The stone was not what I was expecting, just as I wager was his personality. His stone was chosen to represent the state he was born in, and that I partially grew up in. It proves he had quite the large impact by his memory, more than the weight of his physical presence. Not a surprise after learning he was a Drill Instructor on Parris Island. This is a unique quality to Marine Corps Drill Instructors, they motivate you beyond initial training. There have been times I call upon memories of the Drill Instructors from my brief time on the island, which was shortly before MSgt Love passed away. I like to think they are cut from the same cloth.
I’m currently serving in the Air National Guard, yesterday my shop took a hike around Gulf Hagas, Maine. There were about 17 of us with stones and stories to share, and a little over 8 miles around. It amazed me how many of the tales reflected similarities with the person who carried them, and I’m not one to believe in coincedences. I think it shows history repeats itself, and no one is truly forgotten.
It was an honor to have MSgt Love acompany us on our hike, to show him around a few waterfalls and learn a little about the Air Force personnel. I will be keeping MSgt Ryan Love in my memories.
To Ryanâs Family and Friends,
I really enjoyed spending time with your fallen hero, and now heâs become one of mine. A hero to kids, a hero to me!
The hike was beautiful as we first summited Dorr Mountain, descended to the valley and summited Cadillac Mountain. We couldnât have asked for a better day. Our team was amazing as we told stories of ourselves and our heroes along the way. I started our ceremony at the summit with stories of Ryan doing the things he loved, loving the people that he loved, and just being Ryan. We laughed, we cried, and we laughed some more.
I spoke with Bucky and Jessica, Ryanâs brother and sister, and they told me some stories that I shared with my team at the summit.
They told me that they both miss him very much and he was a great brother growing up. He was a protector and always there for them. Ryan loved kids, and kids loved him.
Ryanâs mother, Valerie, came to basecamp along with Bucky to receive the stone after the hike. This was Valerieâs first time at a TSP event, and I hope to see her in the future. She told me a couple more stories about Ryan, and I would have listened to as many as she was willing to share.
Ryan will forever hold a special place in my heart, thoughts, and prayers.
Mike âBazookaâ Peterson
MHANF!
To the family of Msgt Ryan C.C. Love,
It was my honor and privilege to carry Ryan’s stone and story on a hike Memorial Day weekend with my 17 year old son who also carried a hero’s stone. Our hike was originally planned to take place at the annual Summit Project Baxter State Park event. When the event was cancelled due to the global pandemic, the hikers as a group vowed that we would not let this deter us from our goal of honoring the service and sacrifice of our Maine heroes. Across the state of Maine we took to the mountains, coastline and other locations to virtually hike together and remember.
For our hike, my son and I chose a 7 mile loop in the Caribou-Speckled Mountain Wilderness which included the summit of Caribou Mountain. I carried a photo of Ryan’s stone as well as the stories that I learned about Ryan from the wonderful interview with Raye that I watched on the TSP site. When we arrived at the trailhead I felt all the weight of the constant news cycles replaced with the singular focus of honoring Ryan on a beautiful May Sunday in our amazing state.
While my family and I reside in Maine, we are “from away” – having moved here about 7 years ago to escape CT for what we knew would be a better life. For years my family had chosen Maine for annual vacations, often staying in and around Bar Harbor. I felt such a connection to Ryan when I learned that his Maine-shaped stone was found on a beach there – likely the same beach my family has visited many many times.
The hike was beautiful and when we neared the summit we chose a quiet spot with a view of the still snow-capped Mt. Washington where I took out my photo of Ryan’s stone. I shared some of the stories I had learned about Ryan with my son – most notably the story of Ryan’s motorcycle which never quite ran well, even after Raye poured a lot of money into fixing it. The sense of humor Raye showed when talking about that and the other stories about Ryan gave me such a great sense of his nature. To have a mother in law think of you as her true son speaks to the quality of his character.
Please know that there is space in my heart to remember and honor Ryan’s life even during difficult situations that stress our nation. I draw strength from the strength that Ryan showed in his life, his character, and his service. He is remembered.
I am blessed to have the opportunity to hike again with Ryan’s stone – this time physically holding it – at the Summit Project Acadia National Park event this fall. I look forward to sharing Ryan with my hiking team.
MHANF
Sincerely,
Mark LoSacco
This Memorial Day weekend I had the honor of carrying the commemorative stone for Ryan. I decided to go to the top of Waldo Mountain where the quarry spring pond is and reflect and perhaps walk on the same ground that Ryan may have too, being from Frankfort. Arriving and remembering how steep a grade it is, (I hadnât been there since the 1970âs) I was pleased to see that it hasnât been trashed, but has been become a granite graffiti ground. Although I prefer to observe nature in her natural state, untouched by human presence, the graffiti does have a certain appeal. I shared my thoughts with Ryan, hoping that his spirit would agree. Being a bit of a jokester himself from what I gather. I met two other folks as I was descending the mountain and shared the stone and the story.
Thank you for allowing me to participate in this event and now I know more about MSgt Ryan CC Love.
A foggy, misty, rainy day for our hike together my friend. Ryan, I hope this comment finds you blissfully exploring the universe and in a place of peace and love. I felt your spirit as we hiked to Echo Lake and all the hikers and stones that were carried âechoedâ the memories of all.
An honor and a privilege to be part of this Summit Project
On Saturday February 12, 2022, I had the honor and privilege of carrying the stone and story of USMC Master Sgt Ryan C Love to the summit of Borestone Mountain in Guilford Maine. As the now-former Honor Case Manager for The Summit Project, and volunteer for many TSP activities, I have seen, transported and handled Ryanâs stone many times yet never had the opportunity to carry it myself.
For the first time in all my TPS hikes, I decided to choose a stone myself rather than letting fate pick one for me. I chose Ryanâs stone because his picture spoke to me. Maybe itâs his bald head reminding me of my own Marine husbandâs bald head. It could be that it was the blonde haired blue eyed little girl he holds in his arms that drew me in as my youngest daughter fits this same description. It could be all or any of those things, or maybe some yet to be known connection. I thought about Ryan often throughout the climb that day. How I donât know much about this man, yet, but it felt right to have him with me.
The day was absolutely gorgeous, a much needed and appreciated reprieve from the weeks upon weeks of seemingly endless gray skies. There were just four hikers on this trek, the group numbers were kept small as there was uncertainty around the safety of summiting this particular mountain in the winter. We endured many spills, equipment failures, bumps, falls and laughs as we pointed our snowshoes toward the summit and climbed. Iâd like to think that Ryan had fun right along with usâŚperhaps I have him to thank for holding on to that piece of rebar which left me stuck on the edge of the mountain! đ
I thought of Ryan often as we made our way up the trails, around the pond and up to the two peaks that day. The summits were windy and cold, but we lingered as long as we safely could, enjoying the views, the company and those who brought us together that day.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of this loving father, husband, family member and friend. I hope to learn more about this great man one day.
I had the honor and pleasure of carrying Ryan’s stone on Friday, September 9, 2022. It was great getting to learn about Ryan through the video from his mother-in-law and as I walked around I often thought about him, his sense of humor, his upbringing and his family. As a Marine myself, I am so glad to know that he had so many people who adored him. So Ryan – thanks for bringing some great weather, some wonderful views, and some laughs as I carried your stone. I was reminded of our hymn – “If the Army and Navy ever look on heaven’s scenes, they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines.” I was also reminded of the song, Give Heaven Some Hell and I can see you riding around on your Harley through the gold streets. I’ll see you in heaven. Semper Fi.
Over Memorial Day Weekend (2023) I had the honor and privilege to participate in The Summit Project Baxter State Park event. As you know, the Marines are the smallest branch of service and we like to take care of our own. I was able to hike with your stone in September 2022 and as luck would have it (although I will say it was meant to be), I had the true honor to receive your stone from a biker who brought it to Millinocket from Portland as part of the motorcycle convoy. Your family was not there, but you were received by the next best thing – a fellow Marine. And, when I went to the hiker brief about an hour or so later, I looked up and on the table, right in front of me, was your picture. I know you will hear from someone else later who actually hiked with your stone, but I wanted to send you and your family a note too, so you all know how much you were thought of. Semper Fi.
Dear family and friends of Ryan Love,
For ten days, 6/30 â 7/9, I had the honor of carrying MSgt Ryan Loveâs memorial stone. I was part of a group of ten chosen hikers to each carry a tribute stone along the Appalachian Trail (AT) from Monson Maine, 100 miles north to Millinocket, onward further still to summit Mount Katahdin. When the trek was all said and done, we logged over 130 miles and with gratitude, I carried Ryan with me each step of the way.
I donât typically choose the stone I hike with for TSP, I tend to let the organization make the selection for me. But not with Ryan. I selected Ryanâs stone for not only this hike, but a prior winter expedition hike on Borestone Mountain as well. Before getting to know Ryan through Raye & Mike Peterson (another dedicated TSP hiker and volunteer photographer) I connected to Ryan through his photograph. Something about it touched me and made me want to spend time with him.
We have had much rain this summer of 2023 which left many sections of the AT difficult to access. We experienced raging water crossings due to high water levels (some even impassable requiring us to reroute), slippery rocks, roots and logs, and endless miles of mud. Our journey and time together on the AT brought about so many Ryan connections!
The first connection to Ryan on this journey was the evening before the launch. The whole team stayed at the 100 Mile Wilderness Campground in Milton as the initial plan was to get on the trail early morning on 6/30. This didnât go as planned as Mother Nature delivered a record-breaking amount of rain just hours before our arrival. I was borrowing a tent for the trek which I had never used before. Our ATL, better known as Resistance on the trail, wanted to make sure I was comfortable with tent set up and break down on my own prior to the hike so a quick training session was planned. Since Mother Nature was continuing the rain outside, we opted to set up the tent inside the Lounge cabin to keep the tent dry, if just for one more day. Resistance gave me a quick tutorial and handed over the gear for me to assemble, with his close oversight of course. If youâve never set up a tent inside a cozy cabin, on top of a picnic table well let me tell youâŚ. It is as ridiculous as it sounds. Just as I am steps into the process the door to the cabin opens and in flows the team. The ENTIRE team. And cameras. And support volunteers. I, just like Ryan, am not a fan of being in the center of attention. I was immediately flush in the face, sweating and wondered if anyone would notice if I just slid right down and hid under the table. Itâs silly to think about now when I look back, but I remember how uncomfortable I was! I did manage to laugh and fumble my way through the setup and teardown with most success… while there were some close calls, no one did lose an eyeball that night (oops!). I know Ryan also did not like to be the center of attention and I suspect he was right there with me and helped me get through it.
Another connection to Ryan also occurred that night; Yahtzee! Shortly after the tent setup incident, the team stayed in the Lounge to enjoy each otherâs company and get acquainted (some of use not knowing each other very well at all leading up to these 10 days). Knowing we all had extra time on our hands as the rain created another detour in our launch time for the following day, we poured the adult beverages and played Yahtzee! This ended up being an effective ice breaker and great fun. I learned from Mike Peterson that Ryan was a skilled dice counting man at Yahtzee. Maybe it was with Ryanâs help that I won the game!
One hiker on our team, Jack (trail name), loves pickle juice and brought shots with her for electrolyte replacement. I had never tried them before, and honestly had no intention of doing so, but I gave it a go because I knew Ryan sure would have. Turns out, Jack & Ryan were onto something, I loved it! There were many pickle shot toasts along the way, with each one I had Ryan in my heart.
I would have liked to have had the chance to get to know Ryan. I think we would have hit it off well and could have been good friends for each other.
Thank you, family, for allowing me to spend so much time, so many miles and so many laughs, cries, and hugs with Ryan. My life has been forever changed by this experience and I am so grateful to have had Ryan with me for each of my 301,000 steps.
As part of our staff team building day, we participated in a walk around the city of Brunswick Maine. It was my honor to carry the memorial stone of MSgt Ryan Love. As I was gathering stones for our hike, Ryan’s stone spoke to me as he was a fellow Senior NCO. As I listened to the tribute video from Ms. Rolston, I was so impressed with his life story and his coming from very little. His story is very typical of many of us that grew up in Maine. My one wish is I would have met Ryan (who knows we may have crossed paths). I cannot express how much the Summit Project means to the employees at Togus as we have done many events as a way to remembering why we serve. It was truly my honor to learn about the life of MSgt Ryan Love. Rest in peace my friend.
Dear family and friends of MSGT Love,
On the 23rd of September I had the pleasure of hiking with the stone and story of MSGT Love at TSP ANP. Not only was I honored to share the story of your loved one, I was grateful to have been selected to carry the memorial stone of a fellow Marine as I too served in the Marine Corps!
As I continue to do these hikes for TSP year after year it gets harder to write these reflections because there is just not enough words to emphasize how special and wonderful these veterans were no matter where they were or what they were doing when their lives were cut so short! Our lives do go on and we continue to remember these wonderful people/heroes. They all had dreams of their future: families, careers etc. as we did for them. That is why no matter what mountain/summit we face, it is our duty to ensure their stories are continued to be shared!
His story will carry on within me. The sacrifices our service members make must not be forgotten. The sacrifices our families make must also not be forgotten. The best thing we can do is simply REMEMBER! Semper Fi My Brother!
Robert Martel
SSGT MEANG (Ret.)
CPL USMC 84â to 88â
Thank you for your service and sacrifice, soldier.
Hi my name is Raegan King and I’m a sophomore from Nokomis Regional High School. On May 21, 2024 a few of my classmates and I climbed Tumbledown Mt, and recognized fallen soldiers. I got to talk about MSGT Love. I was honored to talk about him in remembrance.
I had the great honor of carrying MSgt Love’s stone during the ‘Ruck for the Fallen’ event. My dad is a Marine (Semper Fi) and I have been married to an Army Soldier for a decade now (Hooah!). We were assigned to Maine last fall for two years. We’ve really enjoyed our time here, but this event was one of the most special things we have done. Thank you for sharing Ryan’s story with us – I was laughing so much hearing the retelling of him getting that recruit from BootCamp to enjoy a holiday hug. Thank you for letting us carry the burden of his loss for a short way. I hope that every time someone carries his stone and hears his story, the weight of your grief lightens. Take care, friends.