Challenge to Excellence: Jes Brouillette Honors His Eldest Son

Jes Brouillette is a father of seven, a devoted husband, a lifelong tinkerer, athlete, and man of deep faith, but above all else, he is a father running in honor of his son, PO2 Chase Brouillette. Chase, the second of seven children and the oldest boy, was killed on 18 July 2023. Today, Jes runs not only to honor his son’s life, character, and calling, but also to be strong for his family, modeling resilience and faith for his children and supporting his loved ones through their shared grief.

A believer in doing hard things and trying just about anything at least once, Jes fills his days with family life, work, ministry, soccer, workouts, and caring for their property. Since Chase’s passing, those daily rhythms have taken on new meaning. Jes describes running as both a physical challenge and an emotional one,  a way to hold himself to the same standard of excellence his son lived by, while also showing his family what it means to keep moving forward even in the face of loss.

From a young age, Chase knew he was called to serve. Around age 11 or 12, he quietly carried the weight of that calling, shaping his life around purpose and discipline. He pursued the path of a Navy Hospital Corpsman not for recognition or reward, but because he felt deeply called to protect others and care for those beside him. His Catholic faith guided every step, from traveling off-base to attend Mass during lockdowns to filling his belongings with journals, rosaries, and Bibles.

Chase’s presence left a lasting imprint on everyone around him. Friends called him “the conscience” of their group, inspired by his conviction and example. Several followed his lead into military service, leadership, and faith-driven paths. At home, he was a steady older brother who met each of his siblings where they were, and a son whose late-night conversations with his father, about faith, duty, cars, fishing, and life, remain treasured memories.

Jes began running with wear blue in October 2023 at the Prairie Fire Half Marathon, his first race ever, just months after losing Chase. With only 50 days of training, he crossed the start line carrying grief, purpose, and determination. Seeing Chase’s poster along the wear blue Mile surrounded by family and friends remains one of his most meaningful running memories.

For Jes, participating in this program is a “challenge to excellence.” It is a commitment to pushing himself physically and emotionally, even when connection and community feel difficult. After more than two years navigating grief largely without peers who share the experience of losing a child in military service, Jes is stepping into community with courage. He shares that while Chase was not naturally a “sharing” person, he had been working to grow in openness during his final year, and Jes now carries that same challenge forward.

On tough days, Jes asks himself, “What would Chase do?” The answer keeps him moving, slow and steady, focused, and faithful. He runs trails whenever possible, fueled by prayer at the start line, podcasts in his ears, and a determination that quitting is never an option.

Through every mile, Jes hopes others will see his son, a man of discipline, conviction, compassion, and deep faith, and remember the light he continues to bring to their family and community. And in running for Chase, Jes is also running for his children and family, showing them how to face life’s hardest moments with strength, courage, and purpose.