Residents of New Bedford and surrounding towns might be familiar with the brand “Rayn’s Revolver” or perhaps the woman behind the brand, Amberrayn Vaughn. Both her store and her aesthetic speak of forging one’s own path, something she credits in part to her dear friend, Becket W. Kiernan.
“Becket walked through life with intense passion and love for everyone that he crossed paths with,” Rayn’s Revolver’s website reads.
“Becket was a scholar-warrior,” Lynda Kiernan, Becket’s mother, reported. “He was an avid reader, especially of military history – from reading the Art of War to pieces written about every conflict and war throughout history and pieces written by contemporary Marines – he absorbed it all.”
Becket W. Kiernan joined the Marines as a 17-year-old after graduating from Old Rochester Regional High School as an honor student. While residing at Marine Corps base Twentynine Palms (California), Kiernan fell ill and was taken to a nearby hospital a few days later after base doctors were unable to treat him. He passed away from a bacterial infection that same day, too soon for his family to reach him. He was only 18 years old.
“One of Becket’s greatest gifts was his ability to make people see the good and the great potential in themselves,” Lynda Kiernan said. “He inspired people. He made people believe in themselves, and he would often check in with friends and the adults in his life, asking, ‘Are you okay?’
“He attended many leadership schools across the country and organized and directed encampments for hundreds of Young Marines, while he himself was still a teenager … and at each and every one, he always made sure he ate last.”
In the years preceding his death, Becket W. Kiernan ran several successful Toys for Tots campaigns, collecting 1,000 toys in the year before his enlistment. He had been a member of the Young Marines for seven years, as well as being the Color Sergeant for the Color Guard of his Fall River Young Marine Unit and participated in countless community service events.
“For about two years before he enlisted at 17, Becket and I went back and forth about the course he was to take to achieve his goals,” Lynda Kiernan recalled. “He was so brilliant, I asked if he would consider continuing school and enlisting through OCS. But he was adamant. He wanted to enlist as infantry in the Corps, telling me that he felt he couldn’t be the most effective leader unless he walked in the shoes of those he was leading.”
His death left a wound that still aches for those who knew him, and his loved ones are adamant that it could and should have been prevented.
“Becket’s family, Lynda, Mallory and Maeg, came to me with an idea to create a memorial for Becket in our hometown,” said Vaughn. “I had reached out before about what else I could do to help keep Becket’s memory alive, and this was the perfect opportunity to do so.”
A benefit is planned for February 19 at the Galactic Theater in Warren, Rhode Island. It will be a night of live music with local artists and raffle prizes, including gift cards to House of Rage and the Cask & Pig, as well as tickets to see the Led Zeppelin tribute band Get the Led Out. All proceeds are going towards a memorial for Beckett W. Kiernan, as well as raising awareness and support for SaveOurServiceMembers.org. The event is 21-plus. Those wishing to make a direct donation without attending the event can contact raynsrevolver@gmail.com.
“This benefit is more than just about raising money, it’s an opportunity to bring his loved ones and friends together to enjoy a night of remembrance,” said Vaughn. “Grief can be very lonely, this gives us a chance to grieve him together. New friends and strangers wander into this event as well. It’s a perfect time to share his story, share who he was, share our love for him with new people.”
This benefit will be the second one, having previously raised $1,800 in 2022.
“The last event had such an amazing crowd filled with new and old friends, Becket’s loving family and our Young Marine staff members,” Vaughn reminisced. The freshly named “Becket’s Annual Night of Shenanigans” will, as the title suggests, be a yearly event.
Family and friends of Becket W. Kiernan are asking that anyone who served with him or was stationed at Marine Corps Base Twentynine Palms in February of 2018 and has information regarding Becket’s death contact them through the Save Our Servicemembers project.
“He truly lived the tenants of selfless leadership, generosity of spirit, loyalty, honor, character and service,” Vaughn added. “Becket was an amazing friend. He continues to be a role model for MANY people. Our passion to remember him will last a lifetime. He was the kindest, most selfless and brilliant leader many of us have ever known. We hope to inspire thousands with his story.”
By Jack MC Staier