Navy Gold Star Coordinator Support

EMC Walters of Pensacola, FL devoted over 18 years to the world's greatest Navy. He was a devoted sailor and enjoyed exploring the world. He began his career by decommissioning the USS John F. Kennedy, then moved to the USS Essex in Sasebo, Japan. He enjoyed shore duty at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in GA where he earned Shore Junior Sailor of the Year for COMSUBLANT. After this he went back to sea duty with Assault Craft Unit Two where he and eventually earned his Craft master qualification (his favorite job in the Navy!) He finished his career as an RDC at Recruit Training Command, preparing the next generation of sailors for the fleet. This was his second most favorite job, despite the rigorous hours. Austin loved music, grilling, cold beer, good cigars, being outside, nights around a bonfire, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a simple guy and enjoyed the little things in life. Above all else, he was a devoted and loving father to three beautiful girls who miss him dearly. Til Valhalla.

Alexander was born in Vilnius, Lithuania, and spent his earliest childhood in an orphanage. Adopted at age four and a half, he came to California, first to Los Angeles and soon to Lucerne Valley, in the high desert close to Big Bear. Here he attended elementary and high school, made many friends, and enjoyed outdoor activities—sports and scouting. During elementary school, he played soccer and baseball; in high school, he distinguished himself in football and wrestling, earning numerous awards. He also did well academically and joined the Future Farmers of America. He belonged to the local Cub Scouts, as well as the Lithuanian Scouts Association, which met in Los Angeles and held summer camps in the Big Bear hills.

When the time came to attend college, Alexander opted to join the Navy and went to Chicago for basic training in 2009. He finished at the top of his class and was offered computer work on a submarine. However, he chose to join the USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) a few months later and sail to Japan. He had been interested in Japan and studied the Japanese language in high school. The news of Alexander’s death due to an accidental fall in Yokosuka in September 2010 was a terrible blow to his family and friends.

Besides funeral services in Kaunas, Lithuania, there were several memorials in California for Alexander – Martyn, as we called him. He was remembered for his excellent service in the Navy by Naval officers, for his extraordinarily good and friendly character by family and friends; for his leadership in the Lithuanian Scouts by fellow scouts. Martyn loved animals as well as people. He enjoyed good food and good times. He was a whiz with computers and apparatuses of all kinds. But his most fervent interest seemed to be nature and “survival in nature.” Early on, he explored Lucerne Valley with his buddy Chris Anderson; then Big Bear hills with the scouts, and on our travels, numerous places in Lithuania with family and relatives.

Martyn enriched the lives of everyone he knew; his memory thrives among family, friends and shipmates. We are forever thankful for his brief but splendid presence among us.

Broken Chain

We little knew that evening that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide, and though we cannot see you, you are always by our side. Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.

  By: Ron Tranmer

As we sit here today, remembering our son, Todd Ethington, gone from us to his Heavenly Home so many years ago, it seems only yesterday that we received our last phone call from him. He always ended his calls with I Love you, tell Dad the same. Todd was always such a old soul, starting his first job throwing papers, at the age of Eleven, and continued his work ethics, through high school, playing varsity basketball. He joined the Navy, serving on the P3 aircraft, quickly raising to the rank of Senior Chief. He was born on October 12, 1968, and passed away on October 10th, 2007. He loved the Navy, and during his passing Harold and I understood, after meeting with his crew, why he loved serving with them. God Bless all our military for their unwavering protection and sacrifice, Harold and Joan Ethington.