Brian's Legacy

Brian Bengier '05

Army veteran Brian Bengier '05 knew Derek Holland for only six weeks before Holland was killed by a roadside bomb in a remote area of Afghanistan. In that short time, Brian says the 20-year-old Army Specialist made a lasting impression on him.

"It's kind of weird, but Derek and I only knew each other from when we met in North Carolina at baggage claim 'til the time we hit boots on the ground in Afghanistan and were split up between different platoons," says Brian. He says the two quickly forged a strong bond.

"He left a mark on me that I'll never forget; we came from similar backgrounds and held a lot in common for such a short time. Yes, we served together, just in different locations."

Recently, Brian established a scholarship at BU to keep Derek's memory alive and to give to those in need. The Derek D. Holland Memorial Scholarship will help veterans and their families with financial needs offset the cost of college.

"Funding can be an issue, especially if you're a veteran with a family trying to go back to school. And contrary to popular belief we don't make as much in the military as people tend to think," says Brian.

Brian, who served 7 years in the Army/PA Army National Guard as a Tank Gunner/Commander, now lives in Millville with his wife and two children and is on his second tour of duty at BU. He already holds a BS in Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice. After his medical discharge from the Army in 2012, he decided to return to BU. Brian is an Interdisciplinary Major with an Advance Studies track. He says he'd like to pursue a master's degree in social work or counseling, if financially feasible.

"So far, being back for my second semester the environment is friendly, professors are courteous to me being military, students are very accepting of having me in class seeing that I'm much older than them."

Brian says he tries to keep in touch with Derek's mom. "Derek was only 20 when he was killed. He was an only child and left his mother and family heartbroken. His mother was in tears and ecstatic when I told her this [scholarship] became official."

As for establishing the scholarship in memory of his friend, he says it was a natural thing to do. "I just want to play my part and make a difference in someone's life if possible," says Brian. "I wanted to do something that meant more than just for me, you know? And I have good memories in my head of Derek that I never want to lose."