Navy Gold Star Coordinator Support

Jennifer was born into a military family on July 6, 1984, in Beaufort, South Carolina. She graduated at the top of her class from Sandalwood High School in Jacksonville, Florida in 2002 and went on to attend Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee, Florida. Jennifer’s dream was to attend the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland so after a year at FSU and many hours of hard work she applied for and was accepted for an appointment to the Academy.  While at the Academy she excelled academically and athletically playing on the lacrosse club team and was selected for the US Women’s Lacrosse Team in 2005. Jennifer had a strong faith in God, a love of life and touched many lives as student, mentor, teacher, and friend to her classmates. She loved the USNA so it was fitting that her final resting place would be the columbarium on academy grounds in October 2005.

Commander Jeffrey Matthew Silvas (April 24, 1955 - February 25, 2007)

Jeff was born on April 24, 1955 in Fresno California, to Bernard and Helen Silvas, the oldest of three children. Jeff was a Boy Scout, and in May of 1970 became an Eagle Scout with troop 23, representing the Knights of Columbus #840 as their first Eagle Scout. He went on to become an explorer. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic Church where he was an alter boy, and Sacred Heart elementary school from K-8. He went on to graduate from McLane High school, then attended Fresno City Collage for several years, but became bored and decided he wanted to travel. This began his lifelong career in the United States Navy. Jeff joined the Navy in January of 1977. He completed recruit training in San Diego Ca. His career spanned over 30 years. He served on many ships to include, the USS Midway, USS Yellowstone, USS Brunswick, USS America, USS El Paso, USS Duluth, USS Constellation, and the USS Bonhomme Richard. Jeff loved to sail the seas. He also served five shore duty tours, M&S Subase, Pearl Harbor Hi., Fleet Training Center, Norfolk VA., Special Boat Unit Twelve, San Diego Ca., Assault Craft Unit Five, Camp Pendelton, Oceanside Ca, and his last Command Amphibious Group 3, San Diego Ca., which required him to occasionally deploy with their group of ships. Jeff crossed over to God while out on the Bonhomme Richard. This was a fitting place as Jeff loved Navy ships and he loved the sea. Jeff was selected for Chief Petty Officer while on board the USS America and was a member of the Chief's mess until Aug. of 1990, when he received his commission as a Limited Duty Officer, a "Mustang", coming up through the ranks. He advanced to the rank of Commander, which he received in June of 2006. The highlight of his career was as the Chief Engineer, or "Chenge" of the USS Bonhomme Richard from Feb. 2004 to Mar. 2006. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Metal (two awards), Navy Commendation Metal (six awards), The Navy Marine Corps Achievement Metal and various other unit citations and campaign ribbons. Jeff and I were married on Nov. 13, 1981 and we have one son, Keith. Although the "Navy life" can be hard and lonely, Jeff was a master at being a husband, father and sailor. When at home he never missed any of Keith's events and was very involved in Keith's activities. He was the team "dad" for several of Keith's baseball teams and loved to watch his son play. He took us on many trips "home" to see our extended family, and many more camping and fishing trips where we would fish and catch crabs for hours on end. He loved life and loved to play and laugh. It was hard to catch him without that beautiful smile on his face. To know Jeff was to love him, simply put we were blessed to have such a wonderful person in our lives and will never stop missing him. We wish God could have waited.

Ty was an avid outdoorsman and loved to spend time with his daughter, Myra.  One of their favorite things to do together was to mow the lawn. He would put her up on the riding  lawnmower and she would be so excited to help dad.

Ty did two tours to Antarctica in support of operation Deep Freeze and enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow sailors.

He is missed and loved so very much!

Darin was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois and moved to Columbia, Maryland, in 1985. He was a Midshipman at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, graduating with honors in 1998.   After graduation, he became a Naval Intelligence Officer with his first tour with Carrier Air Wing 7, deploying aboard the USS Eisenhower in 2000.  In March of 2001, Darin married Devora and began working in the Chief of Naval Operations Intelligence Plot in the Pentagon.  He was killed during his shift in the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.  Darin was kind, caring, and generous, always the life of the party.  His smile would light up a room.  He was a sports fan and loved music.  Darin lived his life according to the motto, “live as though you will die tomorrow, but learn as though you will live forever.”