Our friend Bryan Tutten died on December 25, 2007, when his unit was hit by a roadside bomb in Iraq. He had just over a month remaining in his service. He left behind a wife and two young children.
This site is to celebrate Bryan’s life and to help keep his friends connected as we mourn his loss. Contact the site administrator at rememberbryan AT gmail DOT com.
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Recent Comments
Tim Matthews on Dear Bryan– Casey Stern on Bryan Joseph Tutten (1974… Michael Ellis on Bryan Joseph Tutten (1974… Ken Kresge on Dear Bryan– Kym & Bob Bowers on Bryan Joseph Tutten (1974…
Tim Matthews said,
December 29, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Bryan was like an older brother to me. I was an only child as well so our connection was that of brothers. We signed up for The Army almost at the same time. I left for training only a month or so before he did. He was a true Patriot and a great friend beyond all else. I remember he had such a wonderful sense of humour and we often could get in deep discussions about just anything. I am lucky to have had Bryan in my life and wish I could have had the chance to tell him so. I extend my most sincere condolances to C.P. and Sylvia. May he now watch over us all from heaven.
Ron De maris said,
December 29, 2007 at 7:10 pm
I survived with tutten in 3rd platoon of bravo comany 3/505. I was there when he got back from his first tour to Irac in April 2004. We went on many feild traing exersizes together and shared many conversations.
in the later months of my service with the 3/505 i experianced some hard times. Tuten was always concerend about my well being and would go out of his way to see how i was doing. he was a warm, compasionate, brave man. I had fond memories of him and i laughing together and sharing good conversation when we were cold and tired during training. i was very sadend today when i read the paper and learned of his death. I liked him very much. my heart goes out to his family. My god forever look after his children and family. A wonderful man will be greatly missed.
Elise Jaudon said,
December 30, 2007 at 2:43 pm
I don’t have a single memory of Bryan that doesn’t make me smile. My heart and prayers go out to CP and the kids. May they find comfort in the knowledge that Bryan was so loved.
Wendy Hummel said,
December 31, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Bryan was good-hearted, and funny, and loyal, and it hurts my heart that he’s gone. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
Michael Ellis said,
January 1, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Greg Smith and I just came from the St. Augustine Airport were Bryan was delivered home for services. There was a full military color gaurd and motorcycle procession of nearly 25 bikes from the local Patriot Gaurd. Only immediate family was allowed on the tarmac. There was no major press covering the event, less one photographer presumably from the SA Record. Greg and I followed the procession from airport to funeral home. The sight of CP and their beautiful children devastated me. All be it there were many tears shed, CP observed the casket with Gareth in her arms as if she were helping Atlas. Honor, Respect and Grace. Theses are a few words that would not stop ringing in my ears as we watched.
Greg had phoned me after I dropped him at his home. He had just spoken with Doug Terranova. When we the friends all gathered the other night, there was concern as to what CP and the kids needed and were planning to do. Apparently the military will move her were ever she chooses and she will receive a comfortable pension. I do believe she plans on coming back to St. Augustine.
In light of all of this, I would just like to tell all of you that I Love You.
i have posted three photos of this at http://www.myspace.com/michaelpellis
Ruth Spurlock said,
January 5, 2008 at 12:31 am
CP’s parents are moving to DC for 3 years, at the end of the school year (her father has gotten a new job) and from what I heard CP tell me last Friday, she is going to be staying in her parents house.
This has just devestated me. Not just for the loss of Bryan but the pain CP will be going through. They had been together for 16 years. Half of their life. Bryan IS her world and everything she had planned for the future is gone. It just breaks my heart.
Oh, has anyone heard that they may be naming the new High School for Bryan?
Kym & Bob Bowers said,
January 5, 2008 at 2:05 pm
This loss is heartbreaking for all those who knew Bryan & CP. He always had something witty or funny to say. He will be missed.
Michael Ellis said,
January 20, 2008 at 11:45 am
It has been almost a month now since you have passed. We, your friends, are trying our hardest to stay in touch more often. I have visited your grave sight and still find it hard to swollow that you are gone from the physical world. This year it will have been 15 years since we graduated high school. Young men die and old men talk about it. We are neither, we are now men. I don’t think I will ever agree with the reasons you died. I’m not even looking to blame. Yet I find myself recoiling at the mention of words like war, casualty, and even road side as far fetched as that may sound. The town speaks of honoring you by nameing a high school after you. Friends write letters to the editor for and against. I try to take pride in the sacrifice you have become. Thinking the whole time, there must be some larger purpose for your death. It may not even be for democracy. It may be so your children grow up without you and work so the future children may not grow up without fathers. This I can only speculate. In my heaven it is a true nirvana. When I pass, I will see you. I will raise a toast, To Bryan, my friend, at last we meet again.
Casey Stern said,
June 13, 2008 at 4:34 am
I remember when I was working at Subway on Anastasia Island next the Surf Station Bryan would come up and visit often. Sometimes he would come in the back of the shop with me and we would just hang out and talk. I remember numerous times when he would sweep the floor and watch me do dishes. There was one night in particular that I had a rush of customers and told him to quietly stay in the back so I didn’t get busted for letting him hang out behind the counter. I handled the rush and walked into the back room to find Bryan had changed into someone else’s subway uniform in the back room. He was wearing the shirt, hat, and apron just ready to work. Not because he was actually going to do anything, but because it would make me lose it laughing. He was successful. I probably laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes. I believe he even tried to convince me to let him take the next customer. Why? Because it would be funny.
That is who Bryan was. Always willing to make a bit of a fool of himself to make anyone laugh. And he could always make me smile. Even to this day with all the tragedy which his death has brought, I still smile daily thinking about some of the things he did and the adventures we had. Thank You Bryan for being a true friend who undoubtedly ALWAYS had my back. I miss and love you my brother!