I remember the first person who welcomed me warmly to The Platoon with unprecedented kindness and generosity.
I remember the guy who enjoyed the same music as I did and would often send me emails chock-full of ear candy.
I remember the party animal who would leave me drunken messages and hilarious anecdotes the morning after.
I remember the dude who always encouraged me in my music and would love to listen to me play.
I remember the tech-savvy nerd who helped me build my computer.
I remember the jokester who Photoshop’d my face into many pictures deserving the term “Owned!”
I remember Adrian Keegan Kemmerer, known to all of us as “Shrapnill.”
I remember my friend.
To say that he will be missed at The Platoon would be a drastic understatement. Shrapnill gave so much to this community. His wisdom was far beyond his years and I often looked forward to reading his posts and comments. He had a certain ability to be amazingly level-headed and overwhelmingly informed with up to date knowledge on topics ranging from guns to computers, from politics to philosophy, from literature to film, from photography to art, from science to pop-culture, etc… Adrian set the bar for fellow Platoon members to follow. After some dialogue with his girlfriend Tovah, one thing is clear… Shrapnill loved this community.
Adrian and I connected because of our interest in guitar, even though his forte was with the flute. He was a very talented musician. Adrian was studying to become an EMT and I’d like to believe that helping people was an appropriate calling for him. In fact, even through death he has helped others with the donation of his organs. It has also become apparent that he left us instantly and without any pain. Though Adrian was a fellow connoisseur in alcohol, it should also be noted that it was not involved with the accident.
Tovah informed me that he spent his last night with laughter, music and the love of his friends. She also informed me that Adrian was extremely happy. They planned to move in together this fall in San Francisco. All of this crystallizes a fitting message that she shared with others at his funeral. Life is short. We never see death as a tangible thing, especially in our early years. But this time we’ve been given by God should be utilized to its fullest potential. Adrian Kemmerer demonstrated this mindset.
To pay your respects please visit the thread in remembrance of Shrapnill:
Also, please visit this website his family has set up for comments/donation info:
(site may still be under construction)
Adrian, I’m going to miss you buddy.
-Blake (nicotineforkids)
