10-year-old Braydon Nichols wanted to know why nobody in the media remembered his father, Army Chief Warrant Officer Bryan Nichols, who was also in the helicopter when it went down. Heaven's Heroes was not about to let Braydon's dad be forgotten, and neither were the Kansas City Royals.
Braydon and his mom were treated to a Royals vs. White Sox baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Sept. 17. The Royals staff accompanied Braydon to batting practice to meet his favorite players, Melky Cabrera and Alex Gordon, before the game. Both players signed their own bats to give to Braydon, and the entire team signed a baseball for him. He even got to stand on the batting cage platform and receive handshakes and pats on the back from team.
The night was a special one indeed, but it will never take away the pain of losing his dad. For now, we can only count on one smile at a time.
Bryan Nichols, furthest left. We will never forget.