[SilentServiceCPO]

Original article from March when Diego was "advanced" to Chief Petty Officer...

Navy's Youngest Chief

[SilentServiceCPO]

Sailor, rest your oars...

[TASMANIANRED]

Prayers for a tiny child.

[ConorMacNessa]

RIP CPO Diego Enrique Santiago - prayers going up.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Not much more than a baby. Jesus, I hope you come soon as things like this are breaking my heart.

[ladyjane]

Many prayers for the little guy. For his parents too.

[Jet Jaguar]

Caption to the picture.

Man to man: Diego Santiago, 5, talks with his father, Navy Chief Petty Officer Jesus Santiago, as he waits to be pinned as an honorary Navy chief at the USO. People in the audience are wearing surgical masks to prevent the spread of infection to the youth, who is suffering from lung cancer. 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.

[BIGLOOK]

Navy prayers ping.

[armymarinemom]

Prayers for the family.

[Kathy in Alaska]

TAPS

RIP "CPO" Diego Enrique Santiago

Eternal Father Strong To Save

[BIGLOOK]

Fair winds and a following sea, Chief Santiago.

[tgslTakoma]

Prayers for this little fella and his broken-hearted family.

[proudmilitarymrs]

From this Chief's family...........

Sleep well our little Chief, good job, well done

[Kaylee Frye]

Tears... There are no words for how sad and touching this is. I will be praying for the little guy and his family. May he rest happily in heaven and may his family have strength in this difficult time.

[BlessedBeGod]

Prayers for his soul, and for the comfort and consolation of his friends and family.

[EDINVA]

Diego's story is both inspiring and heartbreaking. Bless his soul. And, God grant his family strength and comfort.

[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...

[Alexander Rubin]

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