Thursday afternoon marked a day in which the life of a great Tigers fan was celebrated at Fifth Third Ballpark. A small crowd of friends and Whitecaps employees gathered as a memorial plaque to Brian Bluhm, one of the students killed at Virginia Tech this past April, was dedicated. A childhood friend of Brian's even managed to stop by as he was driving home to Detroit with his father.
I happened to be honeored to give the dedication speech for the plaque. The following is a transcript of the speech:
Let me begin by saying thank you and welcome. Thank you to everybody here today, it’s wonderful that you were able to take time out of your day to come pay respects to our friend Brian Bluhm. Even though Brian’s family is unable to be here, I know that they are very appreciative as well.
Seven months ago the world lost a lot of good people. Many people lost friends, family and loved ones on that April morning, and those of us on the Motownsports community are included. The news of Brian’s death in the Virginia Tech tragedy struck close to home for many of us- and even though most of us never did get to meet him in person, he was still a close friend. I know for myself, a college student, the events of that day struck a nerve which still effects me to this day- even now, if I’m in class and I hear a door open behind me, I find myself doing a quick head check to see who is entering the room.
Brian had three big passions in his life- love of God, love of his family, and love of the Detroit Tigers. That last passion if how we here got to connect with him. Brian not only loved the Tigers, he knew the Tigers. He was one of the most well informed fans I ever ran across. The insight he had to baseball was something that astounded me- when I saw him write his opinion on something, anything, I stopped and paid attention. It didn’t matter if he was discussing his views on the opera singing hotdog guy at Comerica park, or where in the lineup he felt an aging Pudge Rodriguez should bat- Brian had wisdom and confidence that was surpassed by very few.
Brian didn’t just know the Major League aspect of baseball, he also followed the Tigers’ minor league clubs closely too. As has been documented, Brian was a big supporter of the Whitecaps and the players who came through West Michigan. As the spring unfolded this year he was especially excited about Scott Sizemore, the Whitecaps second baseman this season. Brian had hoped one day to attend a baseball game here at Fifth Third Ballpark, and it’s a shame he never got to, because I would have loved to sit and talk baseball with him for nine innings.
Although Brian will never get to grace the ball field with his physical presence, starting today he will always be here in memory. Almost immediately after news of his death broke, numerous people on the Motownsports community felt the need to try and do something to memorialize our fallen friend. After some thought and discussion it was decided that we would create our own “Brian Bluhm Memorial Fund” where we would raise donations to help do something in tribute of Brian. The outpouring of generosity was amazing. Nearly $6000 was sent in, by nearly 160 separate individuals. It was with a portion of those funds that we were able to work with the West Michigan Whitecaps to create this memorial plaque which we are dedicating today. The plaque will be placed on a bench up in front of the main entrance of the ballpark, where it will remain as a tribute to the memory of Brian.
In my correspondence with Angela, Brian’s sister, I asked if there was anything specific his family would like read at today’s dedication ceremony. They asked that I read a passage from Jeremiah. This passage, Jeremiah 29:11, was read at Brian’s funeral.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
This passage to most might seem sort of ironic. Brian was just weeks away from completing his Master’s degree, just weeks away from starting a job in the civil engineering field- how could God say He has plans for Brian to prosper, and to have a future? That’s just the thing, however. God knew all along what He had planned for Brian. Without turning this into a sermon, I’ll explain. Brian loved the Lord, and as such today he is in Heaven, eternally at peace with God. God didn’t have earthly plans for Brian, God had plans for a future with Him, plans for Brian to prosper for all of eternity in a personal relationship together.
Now it is time to unveil the memorial plaque. With this plaque, Brian’s spirit and memory will forever live on at one of his favorite places- the baseball field.
The plaque, in case you can’t quite see the text very well, says this:
In Memory of
BRIAN R. BLUHM
M.S. Civil Engineering, Virginia Tech
1981-2007
Devoted Tigers Fan
We Miss You!
Motownsports.com
Before we wrap up this dedication I have some thank you’s. First, I want to especially thank Jim Jarecki and the West Michigan Whitecaps. The eagerness to work with us and help us create this tribute to our friend is very, very much appreciated. You did a fantastic job in getting in touch with Valley City Signs to create this memorial, and thank you so much for everything you’ve done.
As mentioned, I also want to thank Valley City Signs for actually creating this plaque. It is beautiful, and I know Brian’s family is very proud of the work you have done.
Finally, I want to thank everybody who helped give to our memorial fund. As I mentioned earlier, 160 people donated close to $6000, and that is no small feat. Brian’s family is just overwhelmed at the efforts of everybody, and touched that so many people want to help the memory of their son live on. I’m also very happy to say that well over $5000 will be able to be donated to the Virginia Tech Fellowship Fund, in Brian’s memory. Thank you everybody who gave of your financial resources, thank you everybody who gave of your thoughts and prayers to Brian and his family.
Thanks to all of you for joining us here today, I really appreciate the time you took from your schedules to be here, and I hope you all have safe travel, for those of you who have travel, and just all have a wonderful afternoon.
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