Green lights in honor of Hunter Brown

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Green is the color of hope, renewal and well-being.

Changing one light to green in a visible location and keeping it glowing, is a symbol of appreciation for veterans.

So when Buddy and Amy Fletcher were trying to think of a way to honor their son, Hunter, this holiday season, it was only fitting to think of the green lights.

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U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Hunter Brown was just 21 when he passed away March 17 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

This will be his family’s first Christmas without him.

“Over the summer we went to a Christmas store and purchased several ornaments that reminded us of Hunter,” Amy Fletcher, Hunter’s mother, said. “At that time we determined we would set up a Christmas tree in Hunter’s honor (Hunter’s Tree) and add to the ornaments year after year.”

She said as Christmas drew nearer, they didn’t feel like that was enough and started brainstorming additional ideas.

“I read online about a program called Greenlight a Vet where people would change one light bulb to green in support and appreciation of veterans,” Amy said. “That gave me the idea we could do that as well in honor of Hunter.”

She said it is also a Christmas color, her family decided they would incorporate it into their holiday decorations.

“Hunter was close to all four of his sisters. He and Brooklyn were best friends and spent a lot of time corresponding while he was away from home,” Amy said. “He was always so sweet with the little girls.”

Hunter’s sisters still living at home are; Brooklyn, 19, Londyn, 10, Aniston, 8, and Karrington, 7.

His three youngest sisters said their favorite Christmas memory of Hunter was last year, Amy said.

“In early 2019, he was deployed to Norway. He told the girls he visited Santa’s workshop while he was deployed and picked out Barbies for them,” she said.

“He went on to tell them all about the workshop and meeting the reindeers. He told them he wasn’t allowed to take pictures or videos. They still talk about how neat it is that Hunter got to meet Santa.”

Karrington came up with “Hunter’s heart for the holidays” slogan.

“We were trying to come up with a name and started naming ‘H’ words to go with Hunter,” Amy said. “Karrington said we should use heart and holidays because Hunter loved Christmas and Hunter loved us. She put it all together and came up with Hunter’s Heart for the Holidays.”

Amy went on to say as a child, her son was always so excited about getting up Christmas morning and seeing what Santa left for him.

“His favorite pastime was to play video games so he always asked for a new game console and new games,” she said. “I loved seeing the excitement on his face.”

Last Christmas, he was excited to come home. He wasn’t sure if his leave from the Marines would be approved.

“I remember when he called and said, ‘Mama, I’m coming home for Christmas!’ and it was the best Christmas,” Amy said. “All six of our kids were here and we all enjoyed it. We didn’t take for granted that we had the opportunity to be together.”

The family had a picture taken by the Christmas tree and it will forever be the last picture with all of them together and that was the last time they saw him.

Amy’s husband, Buddy Fletcher, said initially it was just their family that was going to use the green lights.

“Then Amy mentioned it to her sisters a short time later and they planned to participate,” Buddy said.

Buddy and Amy thought it would be heartwarming to see Hunter’s light in other places in town, too, so Amy put it on Facebook to get an idea of how many people would participate.

“Her initial post about it received 140 responses and subsequent posts received more responses,” Buddy said. “We have purchased approximately 100 green light bulbs Some people have purchased their own.”

Their initial order for bulbs was purchased from All Phase Electric here in town, but they had to be ordered.

The Fletchers bought their last bunch of green lights from Walmart and those are just about gone. Amy said she heard that Jay C Foods and Aldi also sells them, for those who are interested.

Buddy said they received a $100 donation from a friend to help with the purchase of the green lights and that took them totally by surprise.

He said Amy has been struggling, knowing she couldn’t buy Hunter anything this Christmas, so they decided buying the light bulbs is Hunter’s Christmas gift from the family.

“There are approximately 150 homes with the green lights and the majority of those are in Seymour,” Buddy said. “There are also some in Greenwood, Indianapolis, New Castle, Bloomington, Bedford, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina.”

Buddy said it is just heartwarming to see the community supporting them.

“Amy is really having a hard time with the holidays approaching and it puts a smile on her face each time she notices a green light,” he said. “Just seeing her smile brings joy to me.”

Amy said when you lose a loved one, you go to extraordinary lengths to keep that person’s memory alive.

“When I see the green lights I know that someone is remembering my son and that is the best Christmas present I could ask for,” she said. “I have been overwhelmed by the support from the community. I’m so grateful to everyone for making our holidays a little brighter.”

The Fletcher’s daughters have made it a competition to point out the green lights.

“Each time they see one they yell out ‘Green light for Hunter’ and they count how many they find. They smile and laugh each time. That has been therapeutic for all of us,” she said.

Amy said they also want to express their deepest appreciation for all veterans and those currently serving in the armed forces.

“By displaying our green light we are not only remembering Hunter, but we are remembering all those who have served and made sacrifices for our freedom,” Amy said.

Anyone who would like to participate in the Fletcher’s campaign, can post a picture or two of their green lights burning and post the photos on Facebook and include #huntersheartfortheholidays.

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