Navy Gold Star Coordinator Support

Daniel was known as Chris from the day he was born.  As a very young child he had problems with his eyes requiring surgery and wearing glasses.  Of course, the neighborhood kid would tease him about his glasses.  He would take them off and throw them wherever he was.  Their teasing didn’t last very long after mom made all of them stop playing until those glasses were found. Chris’ school years were fun and hard. In his freshman year he learned about FFA (Future Farmers of America) becoming a FFA immediately.  His high school years included showing his sheer determination raising rabbits that took him to the Houston Livestock and Rodeo and his first TV interview.  Only to follow Santa Gertrudis Heifer and many other breeds. Graduating from high school Chris earned his AAS from TSTI in ranch and land management. Chris applied with Houston Police department beginning his 32 years as a law enforcement officer. Enlisted as a reserve in the Navy earning his CPO rank in ten years. He left two daughters, one son, his mother and stepfather, brother and his wife and two nieces and two nephews.

ET2 Williams was a loving son & brother who is missed dearly. He loved fishing and Naval history. Rylee lost over 100 pounds to join the military & he was proud to be a full-time reservist in the Navy. He was a great friend to those who knew him and he would do anything for his friends & family.

(submitted by his loving mother, Megan)

Born in Louisville  KY, Travis graduated high school from Scott County High, Georgetown KY. He entered the Navy, June 1997 at age 18. After RTC initial boot camp, he reported to “A” school and then Naval Nuclear Power School in Orlando FL, and to Ballston Spa NY to complete operator training. He reported for duty aboard USS Louisiana (SSBN 743) Blue Crew, April 1999, Kings Bay GA. A member of the Machinery Division, he significantly contributed to the ship successfully completing seven Strategic Deterrent Patrols. Jan 2003 - Oct 2005 aboard the USS La Holla (SSN-701) he served as the machinery division leading Petty Officer. He successfully completed a Western Pacific deployment and received a Battle E award for excellence. In Feb 2006, Travis reported to the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Charleston SC where he mentored and taught over 400 students the fundamentals of Nuclear Power.

On April 1, 2009 Travis was commissioned as an Ensign via Limited Duty Officer program for which only the best of the best enlisted sailors are selected. Hand selected by the Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program to serve as his assistant to the Naval Reactors Representative at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in New Hampshire, He provided regulatory oversight of Naval Reactors Propulsion Program activities to ensure shipyard design, maintenance and repair of nuclear powered submarines were conducted safely and in accordance with all applicable regulations.

His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two gold stars), the Good Conduct Metal (three bronze stars), The National Defense Service Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

But above all, Travis’ most treasured and cherished awards were his three children, Brennan, Reagan and Ryleigh Douglas.

Served our country for over 7 years. He was a swim and rescue swimmer and served on the US Mercy Medical Ship. He also served on the US Antietam. His Final assignment was at Pearl Harbor NIAC, and the US Theodore Roosevelt. Matt was born on January 26, 1981 and passed September 21, 2017.

This poem was written for him by a beloved family member.

Soul of the Sea
Giving Pearls and Shells
Endless Stories to Tell
Everyone's toy, crazy and wild just going with the flow
Always holding new things to know
Open and Free
With an endless possibility
From our minds never to disappear
It will always be here
Beautiful, Free and Clear
In memory of Uncle Matt Jensen
By Noah Drohan October 4,2017

 

Ben was interested in racing from an early age. During the summer of 2004 he started working for DC racing engines in Denver. DC became the head engine builder for Furniture Row Racing, a NASCAR team based in Denver. Ben was living his dream. He enlisted in the Army after his best friend, Nick, was killed in the Middle East. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne in Fort Campbell as a truck driver. His intention was to spend his hitch in the Army and then become a transport driver for a NASCAR team. His dreams were cut short when at the age of 19. His Sargent said that others on his team had 100 hours of driving time, Ben had over 300 because every time that they called a mission, he was there standing tall. My world turned upside down when I got the phone call and then the casualty officers showed up at my door. Nothing can prepare you as you watch your child being lowered into the ground and then be presented with the flag that draped his coffin. I miss him every single day.