Inspiration is the good that comes from tragic loss.
That's the view of aspiring recording artist Daniel Rylander as he and his family mark the one-year anniversary of his brother’s death in Afghanistan.
Army 2nd Lt. David Rylander '11 died a year ago today of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated under his vehicle in Logar province. He was 23.
The loss prompted Daniel Rylander to follow his heart and compile a CD in his brother's memory.
"I felt very passionate and very strong that I had to do something," Daniel said in a recent interview. "When life blows up in your face, now is the time."
Daniel, 20, said his brother's death inspired him to jump into his passion, music, in a big way. David also was very interested in music and sang in the choir at West Point and played bells at the U.S. Military Academy.
After David was killed, Daniel decided not to go back to school but rather sought to record a CD when not working at Becker's Bake Shop in Cleveland.
He has been recording Strawberry Skyline for several months with the assistance of Wes McCraw at McCraw's Creekside Audio studio in Norton and hopes to complete it in a few months.
(Photographed, left to right, Sarah Rylander, Stephen Rylander, Daniel Rylander, and parents John and Jackie Rylander taken at the Boy Scout Camporee held in 2nd Lt. David Rylander's memory at West Point, NY.)