Navy Gold Star Program Information & Resource Site
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Navy Gold Star Tributes
Throughout his service with the Navy, Luke practiced the qualities of being a hospital man in his compassion, service dedication and kind demeanor. He was born April 14, 1990 in Vietnam and died August 19, 2014 at Beaufort SC.
To know Serena is to know love. Her gregarious heart, earnest curiosity, radiant kindness, and radical resilience were just a few of the many gifts and lessons she left to her family, community, and all those she met. We remember with tenderness and gratitude the fierceness and determination of her spirit, the brightness of her laughter (which still echoes in our hearts) and the generosity and wholeness of her loving presence. The impact of her care, her smile, and her character matched the depth of her beauty, boldness and bravery. In all life’s endeavors, she was committed to giving her whole self. Serena died too soon in a training accident with her friend Lyndsay who she shared a matching tattoo with: appropriately including their legacy “Little Acts of Kindness”. She is incredibly missed by her mom, Lisa, her brother Joe and his family, her sister Teresa, and her brother Mitch.
Nicolas D. Checque was a highly skilled and courageous Navy SEAL who dedicated his life to serving his country. Born in Pennsylvania, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and became part of the elite SEAL Team 6, demonstrating unwavering commitment, bravery, and selflessness. On December 8, 2012, during a daring rescue mission in Afghanistan to save an American doctor held hostage, Checque made the ultimate sacrifice. His actions embodied many of the SEAL ethos as he fearlessly led the charge to ensure the safety of others. Awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart, his legacy lives on through the lives he impacted and the freedoms he defended. Remembered as a humble warrior with an unbreakable spirit, Nicolas Checque’s heroism continues to inspire those who follow in his footsteps. His sacrifice reminds us of the true cost of freedom and the depth of his devotion to duty.