Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/442382
8 JANUARY 7-13, 2015 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM On Friday, Jan. 9, the FireAntz will host one of many Military Appreciation Nights it does each season. Military families will get discounted tickets and usually a general from a unit on Fort Bragg will toss out the puck before the game starts. This year it's going to be a little different. Yes, there will still be discounted tickets, but this year, the focus is on helping the children of fallen soldiers and first responders to live their lives instead of spending it lost in grief. That focus is coming through the drive and determination of one family and their dream: The Big Hurt Foundation. The Big Hurt Foundation is the dream of Kelly Hurt and her children Avery and Wyatt, a Gray's Creek family, who know the pain of such a loss. Master Sgt. Dave Hurt was a gentle giant. A Green Beret assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Hurt was loved by his teammates and his friends. When he needed to be serious and get down to business, he did. But he lived for the moments when he could be silly with his kids and do fun things with them. That love flowed over to the children in his church, where he volunteered at vacation Bible school and with children's activities. His loud laugh wrapped around those near him, and they laughed because it was impossible not to. Six years ago Hurt was killed in action while deployed to Afghanistan. For the Hurt family, a light went out. To his friends and family Dave was known as Big Hurt. The family came to see their grief in the same way — it was The Big Hurt. "The hurt and loss that families of fallen Soldiers and first responders feel won't ever really go away," said Kelly Hurt, the founder of the organization. "You will heal but you will continue to feel that emotion." Hurt said that her family has always felt that they had love and support from their community, but that there was something missing. "You still had a feeling of not being understood, and sometimes, being around other people like us — people who have known that hurt — make us feel somewhat normal and brings comfort to the kids," she explained. Like many in her shoes, she tried the support groups and activities offered by the military, but too many of the programs focus on the grief and on remembering their loved one. "We have no problem remembering Dave," said Hurt. "We mourn and grieve enough. When we are with other people, we want to get our happiness from them not more grief." With that idea in mind, Hurt sat down with her family and came up with the idea of The Big Hurt Foundation at the suggestion of her son, Wyatt. "Dave was all about living and we wanted to do something that would let the children of fallen soldiers and first responders focus on living their lives," she said. To that end, Hurt is using the FireAntz game as a way of introducing the organization. In the coming months she will seek out sponsors to sponsor monthly events for the children. She sees these events as focused on fun activities like horseback riding, indoor skydiving, ice skating, going to baseball games, etc. "We just want to bring everyone together to fun events to connect," said Avery. "We might not talk about the death of our parent at all, but if we make a connection with someone who understands then maybe later when we are struggling we can call them and talk." Hurt is asking that attendees wear blue on the night of the game to show support for the children of fallen soldiers. She will have information on hand about the organization and wants to share the idea and get community support. Avery will perform at half time. If you want to join the group at the game, please use Paypal to pay for your tickets: $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. The Paypal address is thebighurtproject@gmail.com or email thebighurtproject@gmail.com. Big Hurt Foundation Focuses On Living Instead of Grieving by JANICE BURTON ( 9 1 0 ) 8 2 9 - 9 1 7 1 www.fascinate-u.com 1 1 6 Green Street JANUARY EVENTS Sat., Jan. 1 0: 1 1 - 1 "Make It, Take It" * Art with Colored Tape Sat., Jan. 17: 1 1 - 1 "Super Science" * Fingerprint Fun! Fri., Jan. 23: 7-9 "Fourth Friday" Free admission and craft. Sat., Jan. 24: 1 1 - 1 "Silly Saturday" Team Spirit (Wear your favorite football team's jersey or t-shirt and get $1 off admission.) * Free with museum admission or membership. Sat., Jan. 3 & 17th: 1 2 - 4 "Come see the Trains" Cape Fear Model Railroad Club (Free admission to the 3rd floor ) General Admission: $4/child and $3/adult. Wednesday from 1-7 Free with donations accepted. THE BROADWAY MUSICAL INSPIRED BY THE ELEC TRIFYING TRUE STORY THE TONY ® AWARD-WINNING BROADWAY MUSICAL INSPIRED BY THE ELECTRIFYING TRUE STORY January 15 7:30 p.m. Givens Performing Arts Center Call 910.521.6361 for tickets or online at www.uncp.edu/gpactickets Discounts available for groups of 10+. Sponsored by Lumbee Guaranty Bank JANICE BURTON, Associate Publisher. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. 910.484.6200. Master Sgt. Dave Hurt on his final deployment to Afghanistan. Master Sgt. Dave Hurt dancing with the kids at his church during VBS.