The Citadel Class of 2009

Born in Wichita Falls, TX, Steven joined the Navy as an Ensign and served aboard the USS Ramage, USS Normandy, COMOPTEVFOR, and the USS Stethem. He enjoyed his deployments and visiting foreign ports, but loved his family. He was a proud father of 2 boys and loved taking them to the park and on walks. He enjoyed every breath he took and always had a smile on his face. Steven enjoyed his time in the Navy, exploring foreign ports on deployments, and excelling at his many jobs. He could make his sons, Alex and Nathan laugh better than anyone.

Survived By:

Spouse: Patty Hopkins

Children: Alex 7 and Nathan 5

Hopkins Parents: Laura and Lyle Hopkins

Pets: Golden Retrivers, Milo 11 and Rascal 9

Charlie was born to run. Top miler and ran for Indiana University. When he broke the 4-minute mile, “Mom, I’m in the best shape of my life….I’m going to BUDs to be a Navy SEAL”. Charlie was a member of SEAL Team 3 and SEAL Team 1 when he died fighting hundreds of ISIS terrorists. Charlie will always be remembered as a fun loving, funny, athletic, adventurous man who loved our country. He is missed everyday.

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.

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

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.