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Monday, May 28, 2012

Remembering A Shipmate

Not all service related deaths are from enemy action.  In fact, many happen from accidents, equipment failures, disease and even natural causes.

I remember today Chief Boatswain Mate Richard E. Martin, my friend, coworker and shipmate.  He passed away one stormy March night in 1996 of a heart attack.  He was just 36 years old.

He left behind a wife and three children.  His passing turned their world upside down.

We lived next to Rich’s family at the Coast Guard base on Sandy Hook, NJ.  Our kids were just about the same age and played together, went to school and church youth groups together and were very close.  Over the years, they still stay in touch.

Today, his daughter posted a picture of her son visiting his grandfather’s grave, the grandfather he never knew.

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Please remember not just those that gave their lives in the line of duty, but also their families that were left behind.  Their pain will never end.

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15 comments:

  1. An excellent reminder Paul of the sacrifice of the families. Thank you.

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  2. Well said Paul and thank you for your service, too.

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  3. Very nice! Remembering is what keeps those who are no longer here alive.

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  4. Very well said!!..thanks for sharing.

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  5. Thanks for the simple post. Thank you for your service too!

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  6. Thank You, that is a very moving story of a dear friend/comrade. Thoughts for remembering our own at this time.

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  7. Excellent post! Many times it's the families that suffer most.

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  8. Thank you for a very personal reminder of what Memorial Day really means.

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  9. Our military families sacrifice as much or more as the service members. Thanks for the reminder...

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  10. Very touching...especially the grandson at graveside.
    Syl

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  11. We spent Memorial Day at a Military Rec Site (Lake Texoma)For a different take, it was good to remember but also see all the military members and family enjoying what so many gave so much for.

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  12. So true; the pain continues for the families regardless of the passage of time. Dulled it may become, but the remembrance is always there.

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  13. Very moving post. And thanks to you and your family, as well, for your service.

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