Visitation for Sergeant Ivan Messersmith

On Monday, November 16 and Tuesday, November 17, LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Joanna (Christ Lutheran - Lincoln, Nebraska), Katie (Trinity - Fremont, Nebraska), Moses (Christ Lutheran - Cairo, Nebraska), and LCC Kare 9 Military Ministry Dogs Eddie (Peace Lutheran - Grand Island, Nebraska), Nicodemus (The Rock - Seward, Nebraska), and Priscilla (Trinity - Lincoln, Nebraska) shared their comfort with family and friends of 21-year-old Sgt. Ivan Messersmith, who died tragically when a weapon he was working with accidentally discharged. 

Ivan was a member of  the Army National Guard, served in Afghanistan, and was a student at the University of Nebraska studying Civil Engineering. He graduated from Heartland Lutheran in 2018. At the time of his death, he was a member of Grand Island-based Company B (Bravo Company), 2nd Battalion, 135th Aviation Regiment.

He was also a crew chief for a CH-47 Chinook helicopter. It was a “high honor” for Messersmith to be selected for a flight crew so early in his career, said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brandon Bennett, who served with Messersmith in Afghanistan. The Heartland Lutheran graduate was selected for the flight crew “because of his motivation and determination,” Bennett said. People who knew him said he was unselfish, a great teammate and a leader. They talk about his work ethic and his ever-ready smile.

Please pray for Ivan’s family and friends as they mourn his loss.

”And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

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