Posted on 01/26/2008 1:48:51 PM PST by SwinneySwitch
Tribute to Fallen Men
CORPUS CHRISTI — Hundreds of sailors and members of the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi community gathered on base Friday to honor three helicopter crewmen killed in a Jan. 16 crash near Petronila.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander "Kip" LeMarr, 25, of Parker, Colo.; Lt. Joshua Gross, 30, of Johnson City, N.Y.; and 22-year-old Petty Officer 2nd Class David Davison, of Guthrie, Okla., died when their MH-53E Sea Dragon anti-mine helicopter was reported down about 8:15 p.m. The crew was assigned to the HM-15 Blackhawk squadron at NAS Corpus Christi.
"It is the greatest of honors to have known and served with Alexander, David and Joshua," Cmdr. Frank J. Dowd, commanding officer of the HM-15 squadron, said to a packed audience at Wings Auditorium. "Hope still lives and their dreams will never die."
Pictures of the men sat on three tables near the stage, each flanked by a memorial wreath and flight helmet. Three crewmen close to the fallen men gave short eulogies.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Hector Reyes described LeMarr as a good friend.
"Kip was the kind of person that loved to fly," Reyes said.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Shelton said Davison was incredibly empathetic and loved to spread kindness.
"His door was always open to anyone who needed it," Shelton said. "It seemed like his mission at work was to brighten our day, and he would not leave work until he accomplished that mission."
Lt. Steve Mason described how Gross' action during training was a pillar of support.
"Josh's words and actions inspired me when I thought no one else felt like I did," he said.
Authorities continue to investigate the crash. A 35-year-old pilot rescued from the burning helicopter remained in fair condition Friday.
Contact David Kassabian at 886-3778 or kassabiand@caller.com
Most memorable line for me was from the HM-15 Blackhawks CO, "As we know, the sea is very unforgiving, and the air is even less so."
The Navy Hymn
Lord, guard and guide the men who fly
Through the great spaces in the sky,
Be with them always in the air,
In dark’ning storms or sunlight fair.
O, Hear us when we lift our prayer,
For those in peril in the air.
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Most memorable line for me was from the HM-15 Blackhawks CO, "As we know, the sea is very unforgiving, and the air is even less so."
Roger that!
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Burying friends =
(My son-in-law, flight instructor, and my daughter stationed there)
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