I lost a Shipmate and a Friend Today

[torpedochief]

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 4:48 pm Post subject: In Memorial http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/04/ap_commander_death_070410/

The war came home for me today. Death showed me who is boss, I'm not sure if it is the saddness I feel or hatred toward people such as those we are fighting, or maybe and hopefully it is pride to have known such a man.

I remember the day he checked on board. Even though he was an Officer and a non-qual, I knew at once he was one of us. He moved fast into his quals. He stood Diving Officer and Contact Coordinator. Not many Supply Officer's could come close to what this young man did. I checked him out on weapon systems, escape and rescue, high pressure air, and forward DC. He never had a lookup! I was Chief of the Watch once when we gained a high priority contact. The tracking party was stationed and it was this man who led the party and did one hell of a job.

There are those who join and wear the uniform for a while, and then there are warriors. This man was a warrior.

I'll miss you CHOP. Good and Nobel Sailor Rest YOur Oars, We Have The Watch.

MMC/SS Donald C. Meadows
Weapons Dept. LCPO
USS DALLAS SSN 700
1992-1996

[Yahoshua]

Be warned, the load time may take a bit, but it's more than worth it.

Even though he was a sea dog, I believe this would do him justice.

http://www.pcsuccess.us/yrg/farewellmarine_final.swf

May his name be remembered.

[Skybird]

Out of the light, some years in darkness, back into the light where we came from.

Don't cry that he's gone - better smile that he has been there in your life.

[Kapitan_Phillips]

I agree with Skybird. Its like it was said: Do not mourn that they are gone, rejoice that such people existed.

Hang in there. We're all with you.

[geetrue]

He even had a nice name, Cmdr. Philip A. Murphy-Sweet.

We hear of these things everyday and when it happens to someone you know ...

well it gets worse on the ole heart, uh?

I'm sure he will enjoy the new personal department he is in by now.

[Enigma]

Im sorry for your loss. I know how confusing it can be when things hit home like this. Keep your head up, sailor.

[Ishmael]

My sympathies for your loss. He sounds like he was a stand-up guy & a conscientious officer. He died as he lived, supporting his men. He is in our prayers tonight.

[robbo180265]

My sympathies for you, he sounds like someone I would have liked a lot.

RIP

[flintlock]

Do not stand at my grave and forever weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and forever cry.
I am not there. I did not die.

--
~ author unknown

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by flintlock

Do not stand at my grave and forever weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and forever cry.
I am not there. I did not die.

--
~ author unknown

It's quoted in Ken Wilber's autobiographic book "Grace and Grits" about the death of his wife Treya Wilber. She once wrote in her journal that an aunt had send it her, with a letter, in her youth.

A remarkable book, btw, that leads far beyond the story and biographic content. It's about how love can trascend life, but is also an introduction to philosophia perennis. I am not ashamed to say that I repeatedly shed tears over the reading, of hope, not of despair.

Ken Wilber is considered to be one of today's most prominent universal thinkers. I have no doubt that one day his name will be mentioned in one breath with names like Kant, Emmerson and Plato. His "Eros, Kosmos, Logos" has influenced me tremendously and more than most other book, I think.


@ Torpedochief,

if you want to try a more active approach towards your sadness, the more i think about it the more I conclude that "Grace and Grits" maybe can be a helpful companion for you.

[geetrue]

Originally Posted by flintlock

Do not stand at my grave and forever weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and forever cry.
I am not there. I did not die.

--
~ author unknown

That's a great poem flintlock ... thank you for the moment and thank you Skybird for knowing where it came from ... I knew you would come in handy for something someday.

Originally Posted by torpedochief

Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 4:48 pm Post subject: In Memorial http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/04/ap_commander_death_070410/

The war came home for me today. Death showed me who is boss, I'm not sure if it is the saddness I feel or hatred toward people such as those we are fighting, or maybe and hopefully it is pride to have known such a man.

I remember the day he checked on board. Even though he was an Officer and a non-qual, I knew at once he was one of us. He moved fast into his quals. He stood Diving Officer and Contact Coordinator. Not many Supply Officer's could come close to what this young man did. I checked him out on weapon systems, escape and rescue, high pressure air, and forward DC. He never had a lookup! I was Chief of the Watch once when we gained a high priority contact. The tracking party was stationed and it was this man who led the party and did one hell of a job.

There are those who join and wear the uniform for a while, and then there are warriors. This man was a warrior.

I'll miss you CHOP. Good and Nobel Sailor Rest YOur Oars, We Have The Watch.

MMC/SS Donald C. Meadows
Weapons Dept. LCPO
USS DALLAS SSN 700
1992-1996

Hey, TorpedoChief?

Stiff upper lip my man. Your bro is being taken care of in a most exquisate fashion. Your bro wants you to do your job, and stick with the plan: do not do anything foolish.

Verily, verily I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life
John 6:47 (KJV)

What if you click on the linky to the Challenge? Oh, come on, you get the idea that the image of the boat is a link, right? If not, I'm talking to a bunch of what, don't tell me, babes?

What if I read you the history behind the Challenge? Would'nt you like to be her skipper?