Navy’s youngest ‘chief’ loses 14-month battle with cancer

The Daily News (Jacksonville, NC) ^ | August 04,2006 | JOE MILLER

[SilentServiceCPO]

A Jacksonville boy named an honorary Navy chief petty officer in March so he could be just like his Dad will now serve a higher authority.

Diego Enrique Santiago, who turned 6 on Saturday, died Wednesday after a 14-month battle with lung cancer.

[dandelion]

Home is the sailor, home from the sea
and the hunter home from the hill -

Little feet can grow weary upon a hard deck. But the arms of the Lord are a safe harbor, and the storm is over. God bless this little man's family, and let them too set their course for Heaven! For their child is charting the way...

[P8riot]

From one Chief to another

Crossing the Bar

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of time and place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.

- Alfred, Lord Tennyson

[SmithL]

Ping

[GOPJ]

Prayers for the family who loved this sweet child...

[jan in Colorado]

His family — mom, dad and sisters Brandi, Ali and Samara — plus others have worked to make as many of Diego’s wishes come true as they can. Becoming a chief petty officer was the ultimate.

How heartbreaking, yet at the same time, how wonderful that his ultimate wish came true!

Prayers for Diego's family and friends.

[DCPatriot]

Very sad.

[NorCalRepub]

....."Eternal Father Strong to Save".......God Bless little Chief

[srmorton]

Thank you so much for posting this article to mark the passing of a special gift from God. Diego's mother, Cookie, is a very strong Christian who started a Hispanic ministry at our church (Trinity United Methodist Church in Jacksonville). Cookie is a gifted musician and played for the service which was held at 1 pm to avoid conflict with the regular services. My daughter has a part-time job working in the nursery and she spent every Sunday afternoon with Diego for over a year until the Spanish services moved to another sanctuary. He was only about three at the time, but she could see what a bright child he was even then. He always had a big smile and that cheerful nature lasted throughout his illness. He has three older sisters, but he was his parents only son. It's hard to understand why something like this happens to such a wonderful family and why cancer strikes such a young child. A few months ago, his tumors seemed to be shrinking and it looked as if he might defy the odds, but it was not to be. Although we will all miss his sweet smile and his loving spirit, his friends and family can all draw comfort from the knowledge that he is even now cradled in the arms of Jesus and in the assurance that we will all see him again someday in Heaven.

God bless and keep you, Diego, in His loving care.

[Alexander Rubin]

G-d rest his soul. It was really nice of the navy to give him that honorary rank.

[jan in Colorado]

Thank you for sharing your story.

[infowarrior]

Words fail me at this time... Rest well, CPO Santiago...

the infowarrior

[SuziQ]

Dang blurry monitor

Rest easy, little man.

[originalbuckeye]

Ditto. With tears.

[Coop]

The U.S. Navy's and America's loss is heaven's gain. [lump in throat]

Rest in peace, Chief.

[Coop]

This sad news occurred down at Camp Lejeune, my old stomping grounds, and I think this little corpsman definitely deserves a Marine ping list send-off. :-(

[Coop]

Prayers and hugs to your family as well, and thank you for sharing your memories of beautiful Diego and his family.

[CPOSharky]

Welcome aboard Chief. Fair winds and following seas.

[antisocial]

Thanks for the ping! May God comfort his family and hold this little Chief close.

[Robert A Cook PE]

Amazing courage, amazing graces.