Instagram story viewer> @chris_cathers> Posts

Chris Cathers

@chris_cathers

4.1K

followers

1151

following

Special Forces Green Beret | Unapologetic American
Veteran Advocate | @bkvforg Founder
8.2.73-2.18.26 Til Valhalla - RIP
Husband. Warrior. Protector.

POSTS STORIES REELS

Some videos become priceless the moment you realize they’re the last ones you’ll ever have. I’ve had this for a few days and couldn’t post it. I’m still not ready to, but it’s too beautiful to not share. Thank you @jonesybrett for capturing our love.

Chris left a message for Gavin and me… telling us he’ll be waiting for us.
Not goodbye… just later. This portion was filmed during a documentary from Oct 2024.

This video holds pieces of our life together.
Our marriage.
Our adventures.
The way he loved Gavin.
The way he loved all of us.

And pieces of the day we honored him; surrounded by family, friends, and brothers who stood beside him in life and came to stand beside him one more time.

Chris lived boldly.
He loved fiercely.
He served selflessly.

Until we see you again.
We carry you with us in everything.

For me.
For Gavin.
For the mission you left behind.

We love you forever. by @chris_cathers

Christopher Nicholas Cathers passed away on February 18, 2026, surrounded by his wife, family, and close friends. He was 52 years old.

Chris was a warrior long before illness ever tried to claim that title. A proud Green Beret and devoted servant to his country, he carried the values of courage, honor, and brotherhood into every chapter of his life. His commitment to service did not end with his military career, it evolved into a lifelong mission to protect and advocate for his fellow veterans.

As the founder of Brothers Keeper Veteran Foundation, Chris worked tirelessly to ensure that no veteran fought alone. He advocated in courtrooms, stood beside struggling service members, raised funds, offered guidance, and gave his time freely…often at the expense of his own health.

Chris possessed a rare combination of quiet strength and deep gentleness. His presence brought calm to chaos and confidence to those who stood beside him. He led with conviction, but lived with humility. Whether offering guidance, protection, or simply a listening ear, he gave of himself fully and without expectation. Though he endured significant physical pain, he carried himself with grace, humor, and an unwavering resolve that inspired everyone around him.

To the veteran community, he was a brother, an advocate, and a shield. To friends & family, he was loyal beyond measure. To those who met him even briefly, he left a lasting mark.

He is survived by his cherished wife, Jennifer Marie; his beloved stepson, Gavin Hyman, whom he loved as his own; his brother, Timothy William Cathers; his sister, Tammy Jo Cathers; his brother, Charles Harry Cathers Jr.; his cousins, Brian Cathers, Pam Tsang, and Glen Cathers; many loving nieces and nephews; his brothers and sisters in arms; and the enduring mission and legacy of Brothers Keeper Veteran Foundation. by @chris_cathers

With the deepest heartbreak, I share that my husband, Christopher Nicholas Cathers, passed away on February 18, 2026, shortly before 6:00 a.m.

Chris was a warrior — a Green Beret, veteran advocate, and the most selfless, loyal, and compassionate man I have ever known. He was oriented the entire time and chose to keep fighting, even to his final breath. Surrounded by close friends and family, we prayed over him, told him we loved him, and that it was okay to let go.

He held on… until I played our wedding song, “Prayed for You” by Matt Stell.
At the very end of the song, he passed.

The video is an Honor Walk, where hospital staff, my ER family, and many who never met him lined the ICU halls to honor his service. It was the most beautiful way to send my warrior to Valhalla.

August 2, 1973 – February 18, 2026
Forever my hero. Forever my love.

Arrangements will be shared soon. Chris will be laid to rest in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, with his family.

Please keep us in your prayers. by @chris_cathers

I’ve put so much thought into this tattoo. Every detail has meaning, and while I don’t feel the need to explain every element, I wanted this piece to represent Chris, our life together, and the connection we’ll always share.

I originally wanted to have Chris’ tattoo artist do this piece, but after a couple of designs, I just wasn’t connecting with it. There were elements I loved, but something was missing.

So I went back to Erin, who has done the other pieces on my right arm, and I’m so glad I did.

She listened. She asked questions. She paid attention to the details of my existing tattoos and found ways to incorporate things that were incredibly meaningful to me, some so subtle that you’d never know the significance unless I told you. And she somehow brought it all together better than I could have imagined.

Chris was so much more than the way his life ended, and I wanted something that reflected the man he was, the things he loved, and the life we shared. He also was convinced he was a Viking in a previous life and really strived to be a Viking again 😂 so I made him one forever 🪽✨

I wish I never had a reason to get a memorial tattoo for my husband, but I couldn’t be happier with how this turned out.

Thank you, @ink.bubbles , for taking something so personal and making it everything I hoped it would be. ❤️
#memorialtattoo #watercolortattoo #ilyforever by @chris_cathers

Last night, I had the honor of standing on that stage, speaking about Chris, and accepting the Chris Cathers Courage Award on his behalf.

There are moments in this life I never imagined I would have to be brave enough for. Standing at a gala for the foundation he built, accepting an award with his name on it, without him standing beside me, is one of them.

When I got home, I placed it with his flag and the pieces of his life and service that mean so much to me. I stood there looking at it and thought… this is too beautiful not to share.

Because this is what I get to do now.

I get to keep saying his name.
I get to tell his stories.
I get to celebrate what he built, who he was, and the lives he changed.
And I get to make damn sure his impact didn’t end when his life did.

I will forever celebrate you, Chris.❤️🇺🇸
#veteransuicideawareness #honorourheroes #widowlife #trustthejourney by @chris_cathers

This invitation hits a little differently this year. ❤️🤍💙

Every year, @bkvforg chooses a veteran to honor at the annual Cultivating Courage Gala. This year, we’re honoring @chris_cathers .

At his own gala. I don’t even know how to type that without getting emotional.

BKVF was such a huge part of Chris’ heart and his purpose. He believed fiercely in this mission, in this community, and in making sure veterans and their families knew they never had to fight their battles alone.

So on September 12th in Nashville, we’re going to do exactly what Chris would want us to do:

Show up.
Come together.
Celebrate.
Tell stories.
Raise money.
And help BKVF keep doing the work he cared so deeply about.

@shameless.aesthetics is incredibly proud to sponsor this year’s gala, my team will be there with me, and somehow I have the honor… and the very emotional task… of getting on that stage and speaking for the man who should be standing there himself. @jasonredmanww is the key note speaker and is def someone you want to hear speak.

I want that room FULL.

If you knew Chris, loved Chris, served with Chris, worked with him, laughed with him, were impacted by him, or simply believe in what BKVF is doing, I would love to see you there. Go to BKVF.org for info and ticket sales.

And even if you can’t come, PLEASE SHARE THIS POST. Share it to your story. Send it to someone. Help us get this invitation in front of as many people as possible.

Let’s make the gala honoring Chris the biggest and best one yet.

Something tells me he’d expect nothing less. 🇺🇸❤️

#BKVF #ConnectionIsPrevention #CultivatingCourage #VeteransSupportingVeterans #VeteranCommunity by @chris_cathers

Today, America celebrates its 250th birthday… a milestone that began on July 4, 1776, when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, affirming that all people are created equal and establishing the foundation of a nation built on liberty, courage, and sacrifice.

It’s a day of celebration. But for me, it’s also a day of remembrance.

Today I finally opened the box holding Chris’ memorial flag case. Seeing it for the first time was difficult. But, it is beautifully handcrafted, one of a kind, and a fitting tribute to a man whose life was defined by service… to his country, his brothers, his family, and every human who crossed his path. (Made by craftedcasesnc.com)

As our country celebrates 250 years of freedom, I can’t help but think about those who made that freedom possible. Not just those whose names fill history books, but the men and women like Chris who quietly carried the weight of protecting it.

July 4th has held another meaning for me for the past four years. Today is also the anniversary of losing our angel baby.

So while so many celebrate with fireworks tonight, I’m holding space for both joy and grief. For gratitude and heartbreak. For remembrance and hope.

I like to imagine Chris and our little one together today, celebrating in the most spectacular way: with endless fireworks that never startle, never trigger PTSD, and are only filled with peace, light, and love.

Happy 250th Birthday, America. 🇺🇸

Today, I celebrate freedom, honor sacrifice, and remember the two souls who forever changed my heart.

❤️🤍💙 by @chris_cathers

I returned home from Massachusetts and this mail took my breath away.

I received a flag that was flown over the United States Capitol in honor of America’s 250th Anniversary, along with a Congressional Record entered into the House of Representatives honoring the life and legacy of @chris_cathers .

To see Chris’ name preserved in the Congressional Record is something I never imagined. Not because he sought recognition… he didn’t. In fact, he’d probably be uncomfortable with all of the attention he got after passing. But, as with all the other times he put his face out there… he did it to help others. He served because he loved his country, loved his teammates, and believed deeply in helping others.

The words on the page tell part of his story. Green Beret. CIA contractor. Founder of Brothers Keeper Veteran Foundation @bkvforg . But those titles only scratch the surface of who he was.

What mattered most to Chris wasn’t what he did. It was who he helped.

He believed that no veteran should fight alone. He built BKVF around a simple but powerful idea: Connection is Prevention. Even while fighting his own battle, he continued showing up for others.

I am incredibly grateful to Congressman Rich McCormick and his team for taking the time to honor Chris in such a meaningful way. I am grateful that his legacy, his service, and the mission he started continue to be recognized and carried forward.

More than anything, I am grateful for the people who continue to say his name, tell his stories, support BKVF, and ensure that the lives he touched are never forgotten.

The flag will be displayed with pride.

The Congressional Record will be treasured.

And Chris’ legacy will continue to live on through every veteran who finds connection, hope, and support because someone cared enough to reach out and say, “what’s going on.”

❤️🇺🇸 by @chris_cathers

This year, Brothers Keeper Veteran Foundation participated in the 158th Annual Memorial Day Parade in Doylestown, PA: Chris’ hometown. It was our first year walking, and the response from the community was incredible. So many people have already asked how they can join us next year.

I went into the weekend feeling heavy. Fear was loud. I even told my sister-in-law I didn’t want to make the trip. But I had family, friends, and supporters counting on me to show up, so I did. And I’m so grateful that I did.

The weekend was emotional, bittersweet, and healing all at the same time. I was surrounded by people who loved Chris, people who love me, and people who understand that this isn’t something you simply get over.

The parade concluded with a ceremony at the cemetery where Chris and generations of his family are buried. It was the first time I had seen his headstone. I was completely overwhelmed with emotion, but I wasn’t alone. I was surrounded by love, support, and people who carried me when I needed it most.

Thank you to Tim and Michelle for opening your home, making me feel so loved, and even baking me a birthday cake. Thank you to Rachel and Barbie for making the trip with me. And thank you to Chris’ friends, who have become my friends, for showing up when you didn’t have to.

I arrived feeling heavy and left feeling lighter, more peaceful, and with more clarity. I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

Someone asked why we were honoring Chris on Memorial Day when he wasn’t killed in combat. The answer is simple: service doesn’t stop affecting our veterans when they come home. Some lose their lives on the battlefield. Others lose their lives years later from invisible wounds, toxic exposures, or illnesses connected to their service. Those sacrifices matter too.

This weekend, we honored Chris and all those whose lives were forever changed, and ultimately lost, because they answered the call to serve.

❤️🇺🇸 by @chris_cathers

158 years of honoring those who gave everything. The Doylestown Memorial Day Parade is one of the oldest and most storied traditions in Bucks County, a community that has never forgotten the cost of freedom.

For Chris, this parade isn't just an event. It's home. Its roots. It's a reminder of why Brothers Keeper Veteran Foundation exists in the first place...to make sure the men and women who served are never forgotten, not just on Memorial Day, but every single day.

We are proud to march in Doylestown on May 25th and carry that tradition forward.

We march together. We remember together. We honor together. For them. For all.

Want to support the mission? Visit us at bkvf.org to learn how you can make a difference in the lives of those who served.

#BrothersKeeperVeteranFoundation #BKVF #DoylestownParade #MemorialDay2026 #Doylestown #BucksCounty#HonorTheFallen #NeverForget #VeteranSupport #MemorialDay by @chris_cathers

This one gave us chills.

Good Noise is more than a weekend: it’s what happens when a community shows up for something bigger than themselves. Hosted by the Cooper Alan Foundation, this year’s event raised over $400,000 in a single night, and BKVF was honored to be one of the direct beneficiaries alongside our friends at The Journey Home Project.

To Cooper Alan, his family, foundation, and every single person who showed up: thank you. Your support isn’t just felt… it’s life-changing. Because of you, veterans are getting into treatment. They’re being seen, supported, and reminded they’re not alone.

This is what it looks like when music meets mission. When a platform is used for impact. When a room full of people becomes part of the solution.

Watch this. Share it. Let it remind you what “Good Noise” really sounds like.

Connection is prevention.

If you want to be part of this mission, visit bkvf.org.

@cooperalanmusic by @chris_cathers

Last year's Salute & Shoot for a Cause was one for the books.

The fresh air. The sound of rounds going downrange. The people who showed up. The rounds fired in honor of the men and women who gave everything. It was more than an event. It was a statement that this community refuses to forget who fought for them.

And this year we are doing it all over again.

Our 4th Annual Salute & Shoot for a Cause is back on June 20 and spots are already filling up fast. Every ticket. Every registration. Every dollar raised goes directly toward getting veterans the mental health treatment they deserve. This is not just a day at the range. This is a chance to be the reason a veteran gets help. by @chris_cathers