Remembering Chief Warrant Officer Bryan Nichols

Statement

On Friday, Robba and I attended funeral services for Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bryan Nichols at Thomas More Prep-Marian (TMP) High School in Hays. Nichols, 31, was killed in Afghanistan earlier this month when the helicopter he was flying was shot down, taking the lives of 30 American service members in the single deadliest loss of U.S. forces in the war in Afghanistan to date.

Nichols grew up in Hays, was a 1998 graduate of TMP, and moved to Kansas City, MO to fly Chinook helicopters as a member of the Army Reserve's 7th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment in Gardner. His colleagues describe him as a skilled pilot who loved to fly, an exceptional officer and a selfless friend.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Nichols family, including Bryan's wife Mary and his son Braydon, and his parents, Doug and Cindy Nichols of Palco. Our nation is forever indebted to Chief Warrant Officer Nichols and the other young men who perished for their service and sacrifice on our behalf. Special thanks to the hundreds of Patriot Guard riders who showed their support for this fallen hero.

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