Happy Heavenly Birthday to everyone’s best friends, including mine.

Today my best friend Bradley Joseph Bush would've turned 49, but he left us way too soon, back in 2017. He was an Army Paratrooper, Signaller, Chef, Championship Wrestler & Weightlifter, Philosopher, Intellectual, World Traveler, Story Teller, an all-around Jokester, and everyone’s Best Friend.

He was equal to 2 or 3 men and had whipped as many in a fight at the same time more than once. The “Most Interesting Man in the World” commercials are really about him. He never met a stranger. In-fact, he would keep in contact with people he met just once while on a random trip. He had friends and acquaintances the world over and had no problem utilizing them to assist a person in need. His heart was as big as his hometown of Chicago and his adopted home of NYC combined.

Brad kept company with Ambassadors, Members of Congress, Foreign Dignitaries, White House Officials, Military Members, Veterans, Federal Law Enforcement, and Intelligence Officials and never boasted about it or name-dropped. As he put it, “if you have to tell everyone about it or exaggerate your importance on social media, then you’re doing life wrong.” He treated the most important of those he kept company with no differently than the homeless guy on the street who was simply down on his luck. He often said, “everyone is due respect...until they’re not.” This was a part of his philosophy of life. He lived by the Platinum Rule. He would always say “the Golden Rule is fine and all, but we can always strive to do better.”

March 11th, 1975-December 24th, 2017

Thinking of you today Brad, especially today but thinking about you often on many, many days over the years. You would've been 49 years old today. But you were probably 19 or 29 forever anyway so....

Good thing you left us all with so many stories and memories in your short life, but it would've been nice to have more special days. I'm sorry it didn't work out.

Love forever,
your pal Reid

HB buddy. This year you would have liked Connor Bedard (Blackhawks) but probably not the Barbie movie. Cheers,

Miss you Brad. Can't help thinking about what new stories we would have to share this Christmas. Instead, we have our memories. Cheers.

I wanted to give an update on my book project titled "Veterans Suicide and My Late Best Friend Bradley J. Bush." At this point, I'm roughly 50% of the way through the writing process, albeit I've only recently had time to focus on it. 

I'm looking to have the book published, and ready for purchase sometime in early Summer, and hope people will support me in this endeavor. My plan is to donate any proceeds to support the American Legion’s “Be the One” campaign. https://www.legion.org/betheone

https://www.toddmckinley.com/post/veterans-suicide-and-my-late-best-friend-bradley-j-bush

Five years later, I still don't understand it, but I know you would approve my attempt to try and make something positive out of it. If we can reach a handful of fellow Veterans, and give them the tools they need, then let's do all we can.

https://www.toddmckinley.com/post/veterans-suicide-and-my-late-best-friend-bradley-j-bush

♡♡♡♡♡

It's been 5 years, my friend! Wish you were still here with us! Miss you!

Missing you b rad. Hope you’re up above.

Another birthday that you should be around to celebrate, still thinking of you though, always will.

Happy birthday, my friend! Miss you so much!!!!

♡

Thinking about you and still missing you!

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Happy Birthday bud miss you think about you all time love you Brad Bush

Another year, this would have been your 45th year and yet we'll have to go through it without you. We certainly wish you were here, but God had other plans for you. The lives you touched will forever be better because of you, let no one say otherwise. R.I.P. Brad, see you on the other side.

I wish you were still here on earth so I could wish you a very happy birthday - my friend - I hope you are having lots of delicious cake in Heaven! Happy Birthday!

It's your 45th birthday. Miss you, my friend!

Thinking of you buddy. You were the best man, literally. Pun intended. You loved puns. We miss you on Christmas each and every year. Always enjoyed having you visit our home on Christmas Eve. We missed you this year. Rest in peace and Godbless. Love you, Reid

I think about you all time love you Brad

I’ve heard it said, we die twice, the first time when we die, the second time when our name is spoken for the last time. Two years later and your name lives on.

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I can’t delete your contact or our text thread. I miss your ridiculous texts, photoshopped fantasies and cheese commentary and you always showing up when I needed you the most. I wish so badly you let us show up for you when you needed us the most. The world needs you in it. Thinking of u always Bradley. <3

Thinking of you b rad. Xo miss you butt face

Happy birthday, my dear friend! Think of you often and wish so much we could talk again... I still talk to you, but you sadly don’t answer anymore! Miss you much, Brad! You are an amazing soul! Happy birthday in Heaven!

We would be ready to hit our stride, breaking out about to conquer the world if you were here. We should have had you around this marble we call earth another 40 or 50 years, but things in life never go as we plan them. Today, I found myself talking to you and having a laugh as if you were there and said to myself, it’s ok to talk to you from time to time. I’m still mad as hell at how you left us, but we often don’t get a say in what cards fate has dealt us. I’m looking forward to the next time you stop in on me and say hello.

Happy Birthday Brad. We miss you buddy. You would be 44 years old today. I hope you liked my tribute column I wrote. We're laughing and crying with you today.
https://dutchlionsports.com/2018/02/05/my-buddy-brad/

You will always be in my heart. ♡

It’s been a year, just can’t believe you’re gone! Love, miss and think about you every day!

Miss you buddy - always remembered.

Tomorrow will be 1 year since we all got the news, but let me say, you’re never going to be forgotten.

Happy Birthday Brad will never forget about you love you bud .i

Today would have been my best friends 43rd birthday, he left us all way to soon. However, with the many lives he touched in his 42 years , 9 months & 13 days the effect will be felt as long. I know I'll remember all the great times we had over the decades and I'll remember all the friendly advice he gave to me. Airborne all the Way! He lives on!

Thinking of you today on your 43rd birthday, Brad! I hope you are happy and having a great time! MISS YOU!!!

My tribute to Brad can be found at my website:

https://dutchlionsports.com/2018/02/05/my-buddy-brad/

I have never met Mr. Bush. What we have in common is we both served in the same military unit, albeit many years apart. News of his passing has rippled through our community. Many heartfelt stories of him being shared by many all over the United States. I wanted to express my condolences on behalf of his military "family" to those who knew him well. Godspeed, Paratrooper. Until we meet again. Bravo Company, 50TH Signal Battalion (Airborne) (Forced Entry)

I met Brad back when we were in high school. We both went to different high schools but that didn’t stop him from capturing my heart. Brad was not only my high school sweetheart but he was my first love. He had such a contagious laugh, the kind that made you laugh even more. His love for Frank Sinatra became a big part of our dates. Every time we’d get into his station wagon he’d pop that cassette in and blast it. He absolutely loved good ole blue eyes. His heart was enormous and he was so very kind. I remember when we went to his senior prom and he had to wear pink to match my dress. It didn’t bother him one bit and in fact he said “I love pink because you love pink.” I believe he laughed after that comment. I was so lucky to have reconnected with him in the last several years. I remember when he met my son Bret Jr for the first time. He knew my son loved trains so Brad gave him a Cubs train that he already had. That was Brad though, so giving and so extremely loving. When Brad found out he shared the same birthday as my son, that was it for him. He wanted him as a best friend. I can go on and on with memories but for now, this is plenty. I’ll miss you my ceaser salad head. More than you’ll ever know. Take care of yourself and I’m sure by now you’ve met frank and are jamming to those tunes. ❤️

I had the pleasure of working with Brad at UPS in the 90's, back when Thursday's started the weekend at a Palatine bar. Brad was the "class clown'" of the part time sups, never a dull moment short of laughter. I will always remember his smile and that grin he had waiting for your reaction. Brad was known for his sense of humor and wit, but there were many layers to him. He was a sharp guy, keenly intuitive. I enjoyed his theories and the quorky way he would break it down for you. Unfortunately, I never saw or spoke to Brad after he left UPS. I am deeply saddened, but will cherish the memories of the Brad I knew. My heart breaks for Brad's family and friends. I pray that each and everyone will someday find peace in this unfortunate loss. Rest in peace, Brad.

This is a post from Monday in regards to a pic Brad sent me September 2017 from Wrigley. I'll post the photo-it's looking down the 1st base line.

This is a photo of the last time I spoke to a fantastic friend on Sept 1, 2017. He was enjoying a beautiful fall day at Wrigley, as only someone who has lived in Chicago can appreciate. While it's possible he was mildly rubbing it in my face that he was having more fun that me, it's more likely that he wished that I were there with him and wanted to share that moment. Yeah, he was that guy.

*Forewarning: friends, keep reading, those whom are easily distracted, move on.

We spoke briefly and I was elated to share this moment with my friend and even though our conversation was short as he was enjoying seats along first base and I was, well, not, he still never made me feel as I was intrusive on his day. Yeah, still, he was that guy.

Nevertheless, had I known that this was to be our last conversation, I would never have let him off the phone for something so trivial as "hey, wish you were here, but you're not"!

I know my feelings now were purely for selfish reasons, but I didn't want to interrupt what I know was a more fun and visceral experience, and shit, we've ALL said that to our friends more than once.

We all have likely had similar recollections with friends and family at this point in our lives, however unfortunate it may be, yet we'll never have the grace to know that now, RIGHT NOW, is the time to divulge our feelings, express our appreciation, or say if anything else: thank you.

We can't interrupt life as it is flying by, we can only hope to be awake when the fun things happen.

The "fun things" seemed to follow Brad like they were looking for inspiration (or an incendiary device) and Brad, whether via attitude, or disgust over boredom (possibly enhanced through medication), or sheer will to make the world at large pay attention, demonstrated the persona of what we all needed: fucking get on board with what was about to happen or hold my beer. Brad was certainly must see TV.

I appreciated Brad for the fun that he brought to my life but I appreciated him more for the spirit of creativity that was intrinsic within him. I've never met someone more driven to explore, to expand, or to question what he felt should be the status quo: and sometimes it was a fault.

For what it's worth, Brad was a good friend and was more capable of the requisite pleasantries that would be expected in any relationship (which I completely attribute to his mother-whom absolutely adored him) than more seemingly mature people regardless of age. It's one of the small things that I appreciated about Brad.

It's the small things in life that seem so easy and are more likely to be taken for granted such as a simple "thank you", or remembering dates, milestones, or favorite preferences.

Unfortunately we generally realize the loss of graciousness only when it is lost. I wish I had the acuity to remember all of what is special to the people I know. Brad did. I miss that because it was specific to Brad and it's what was endearing.

Brad's legacy is what we can derive from the good things he tried to influence. Think about how often you lie awake wishing you had said something that you truly felt or thought about a friend or acquaintance only to come to the realization that the moment had passed or that you let it pass.

Brad tried more than anyone I've met to not let those moments go. Flaws aside, we have this to ask of ourselves: What would you do? What COULD you do, had you had been more in tune to what your friends need?

I've been haunted to write what I feel about Brad, and believe me that this is the Cliff Notes, but if you knew him, you know: his spirit was intangible and now all we have is his spirit.

There are so many adventures with Brad Bush I will never forget, he always took the lead to make it the best time you'll ever have. I'm going to miss my brother Brad Bush. It was an honor to have known him. I haven't met anyone so giving of himself to make you feel welcome. He will be missed. RIP

miss you already b rad!

My wife and I served with Brad at Ft Bragg in the 90s. It was only two years ago that we linked up again. He joined us at our house in VA with a few other close friends. We caught up, grilled, drank beer, a little bourbon and enjoyed the day. We spent the evening by the fire pit down by our dock talking, laughing and just relaxing until around 3AM. He spent the night with us and left the next morning. Work brought us together a few times after that but it was that night that brings me the fondest of memories. Brad was a really good guy, had a warm heart, and was a Great American. We shall truly miss him!

I first met Brad through my sister, Kristin. He was this goofball kid who could make you laugh or smile at a drop of a hat. He loved hanging out at our house even when kris wasn't home. He would knock on our garage door and I'd tell him she wasn't home and he said, "that's ok I'll hang out with you". He became a friend of mine even after they stopped dating back in high school. We lost touch years ago but I've always thought fondly of him. He was a sweet guy who I will never forget. He was taken way too soon. My sisters and I are sadder today and the world a little emptier.

I only had the privilege of spending time with Brad on a couple of occasions through Reid, but I certainly remember him fondly. May his soul find peace.

God bless you Brad.

I met Brad through a dear friend and thought very highly of him as soon as I met him. He had a kind and caring demeanor that is so rare to find in another person. All of my love and prayers go to those whom were closest with him.

Brad was so full of life it is hard to believe he is gone. He was always up for a new adventure and I enjoyed the adventures I had with him. So sorry for everyone who is feeling they didn't do enough but Brad always took his own path and I pray that he has found peace. He will be missed by both his family and friends but try to use some Brad humour whenever you get sad about not seeing him again.

Brad was was one my best friends for so long we did so much together and my brother dan he was like are other brother family once when we were 12,13 mom said your getting out house summer vacation no school going drop you train station off 3 of us to Chicago so from Barrington i was scared not brad he led us to l train and got see were his dad workrd the stock exchange his dad was big wigg took us to lunch in skyscraper there after meal I said I'll tip 5$ his dad laughed no that was big money to me brad got us back too lz he was such a stud always buying tipping big probably have 1000 story's this very sad for me hope you all put more pictures and memories too share I love you brad .

There are too few people in this world who forge their own path regardless of what society expects. Unfortunately, today we lost one of the great examples of what can be if you follow your ambition. Brad was sincerely one of the funniest, most honorable and unique men I have had the opportunity to know. From childhood tom foolery and laughs that garnered marks on the permanent record to a recent random "catch up" conversation over a beer in Des Moines, Ia. Brad knew how to connect and I will miss his way of being himself. Even while being selfless. RIP old friend. You will be remembered.

I am so sorry to hear of Brad’s passing. Reading the numerous stories only confirms what I knew of Brad. You see, I didn’t know him as well-I didn’t have him as a neighbor or have many classes with him. However, I have memories from school of his great sense of humor and of him having a kind smile that always came with a twinkle in his eyes. Just a few years ago I was able to see him at our 20 year reunion, and enjoyed our time visiting. May he Rest In Peace, and his light always shine from above.

If you knew Brad you will never forget his smile. He always made people laugh and was such a genuine sweetheart. Keep smiling Brad, it was contagious.

Thank you Dan, for a wonderful memorial. What fantastic pictures.