Charles Strong

Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, he was an energetic, happy, and loving son, brother, nephew, grandson, and friend. Known for his loud voice and big smile that could light up any room, Tyon touched many lives with his caring nature, love and joy. From age six, Tyon loved playing basketball, the color red, and running track. After graduating from Pickerington North High School, he fulfilled a long-held dream and joined the US Navy. Tyon reported to Great Lakes for boot camp in July 2023, quickly becoming a leader in his barracks. His shipmates admired him for his hard work and dedication. He was so excited about his future, including plans to start school and continue his leadership journey in the Navy. He was always eager to help others and had a generous spirit. Our beloved son gained his wings at age 19 from a brain aneurysm; today, his legacy lives on through the many accomplishments he achieved in such a short time.

ICO HM3 Nigel C. Kennedy enlisted in the Navy in 2006. Born in Trinidad, Third Class Kennedy served in the Navy until his passing, October 11, 2009. He loved being a Sailor, serving his country, the brotherhood and meeting new people all over the world. His awards include the Good Conduct Medal, the National Service Defense Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with 1 star and Eagle Globe and Anchor, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with 1 star, the Over Sears Service Ribbon, the Marksman Rifle Ribbon and the Sharpshooter Pistol Ribbon.

He was the eldest of three children born September 6th,1980 to parents Carol Williams Elder and Roy Elder. He had a passion for service and had plans of furthering his studies in the medical field with hopes of doing more. He is remembered for the wonderful life he lived. As a son, brother, uncle, grandson and nephew we as a family mourn his loss everyday. We celebrate the great memories we had with him daily and we will continue to share his legacy with the future generation. We are thankful we get to honor him during the May Gold Star Awareness month.

AOAN David “Wayne” Cornell (Wayne as he was known) was an aviation ordnance man airman on the USS Coral Sea. He was killed onboard during a severe storm while securing a piece of equipment on the sponson.  DOD 1/31/88 -on his sister’s birthday. He would have wanted us to know that no matter how tough life is, you can always find joy in it and to love life to the fullest no matter what.

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.

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)

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.

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.

You were such a wonderful son. We love and miss you.

Larry was the son of Marietta and Larry  Pitzer from DeSoto MO. He has a younger brother, Brian (married to Jennifer). He played football, baseball, softball, and golf. He loved playing his guitar and singing. Larry was a talented singer and received All State Honor Awards in high school. His senior year he received the highest honor for high school performers, The National Choral Award.  (You can hear Larry sing on You Tube, Brian Pitzer @brianpitzer2552).

In 2000, Larry joined the Navy. He completed his basic training in Great Lakes Naval Station in Chicago, Illinois where he received the Navy League Award.  He went on to complete Navy A-School in Pensacola Florida and began his career as an Aviation Electronics Technician.  In 2007 he was selected to be a member of the Blue Angels and served four years as part of the Flight Demonstration Team.

In 2004, Larry was married to Amanda-Lee and in 2010 and in 2011 Larry became a proud father of two sons, Ethan and Jacob Pitzer. 

In 2016, stationed in Millington Tennessee, Larry earned the rank of Chief Petty officer. 

Larry was last stationed at the Naval Air Station Oceana before his death in 2019.

Larry was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, uncle (Tyson and Brantley) and is deeply missed by all.

Eric Shellenberger was born in 1972 and moved around the east coast of the United States as a child. He was born in Tampa, Florida, attended North Penn High School in Pennsylvania and graduated from Abundant Life Academy in South Carolina in 1990.

He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1991. As a Force Recon Marine, Shellenberger served in Somalia, Sudan, and Japan. He served in the Marines for eight years attending Airborne, Army Ranger and Combat Dive schools.

Shellenberger changed branches and began his career in the Navy in November 1999. In April 2000, he reported to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training in Coronado, California. He graduated with Class 232 Jan. 26, 2001 as class honor man and earned his Trident the following June. He subsequently served with SEAL Team 1 from 2001-2004. Afterwards, Shellenberger completed additional training with Naval Special Warfare Group Advanced Training based in Virginia Beach, Virginia before reporting to Seal Delivery Vehicle Team 1 based in Pearl City, Hawaii in 2005. Over the course of his Navy SEAL career, Shellenberger completed multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Eric loved his family, to ride motorcycles, and watch the Philadelphia Eagles.

Our cherished son, AD2 (AW) Corbin Edward Hamilton, was a dynamic, intelligent, and charismatic person. He was intensely driven and dedicated to his job and career, yet he was incredibly loving and caring to his friends and family. He was filled with optimism, always motivating and inspiring others. We lost him to a motorcycle accident at the age of 22. While stationed at HSM-71 Helicopter Squadron in NAS Coronado, he became qualified Plane Captain in record time and many other qualifications. On his first and only deployment, he qualified as Air Warfare Specialist and was promoted to AD2 with only 18 months in the Navy. He had become a lead helicopter mechanic and supervisor. He was unstoppable and headed for greatness. Our only child and center of our universe has been replaced with an immeasurable void and grief we will carry until we too leave this life.

ADCS Samuel Dumond was raised in Edmundston, NB, Canada.  He played hockey, baseball and enjoyed snowboarding.  As a child, he always wanted to be a mechanic, so right after high school graduation, he left for Maine to join the Navy in 2006 and was posted in Virginia, California and Hawaii, changing platforms several times.  Sam deployed multiple times with his last being the 2024 USS Theodore Roosevelt deployment. Serving his country was an honour for him. He was a thoughtful leader, who led by example. His friends described Sam as one of the most reliable “best friends” a person could ask for, who always had an infectious smile.  Sam will forever be loved and remembered by his mother Francine and step father Bob, his father Greg (Lisa), his wife Beverly and his two children Liam and Bella, his brothers Matt, Alex and Andrew. RIP Sammy.

Christopher "Chris" Mosko was born in Worcester, MA, and spent his childhood in Connecticut, Delaware, and Wisconsin where he attended Eau Claire Memorial High School. He earned a BS in Commerce and Engineering from Drexel University where he Chris served in the ROTC. Upon entering the Navy, he joined the Explosive Ordnance Disposal group. He quickly became a platoon leader for Mobile Unit 3, deployed to support Haiti after the earthquake and ultimately was deployed to Afghanistan where he was Killed in Action on April 26 2012. Whether it was on the soccer field or with his ROTC unit, Chris was a natural leader and loved being part of a team. According to his mom, while in ROTC in Philadelphia, Chris implemented a ‘punishment’ where he would set up runs that stopped at historical sites throughout the city and have those being disciplined explain why each site was important to our country’s history. He is remembered by his wife, Amanda, his sister, Meredith Hathaway and her husband Army Major Dr. Nathanael Hathaway M.D.), and his parents, John and Gayle Mosko.

My father, Peter Patrick Murner, Jr. was born on May 13, 1945 in Brooklyn, NY to my grandparents, Peter and Natalie Murner. Rick, as we called him, resided in Hillsdale, NJ for 18 years with my grandparents and aunt, Maureen. Dad graduated from Don Bosco High School and then attended Mount St. Mary's College in Emmitsburg, MD where he received a Bachelor of Science degree.

Rick enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1967 from Hillsdale, NJ. He went on to attain the rank of Second Lieutenant at Quantico, VA. In June 1968, he married my mother, Connie Drews. He was sent to Vietnam on August 4, 1968 where he served with the 3rd Motor Brigade, 3rd Division.

On August 26, 1968 at the age of 23, he was killed in action near Quang Tri, South Vietnam. He was awarded the Purple Heart, National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign and RVN National Order 5th Class Military Medals. He was survived by mother and me. I was born on December 10^th, almost 4 months after his death.

Electrician’s Mate 1^st Class Petty Officer, Steven “Glenn” Daugherty, 35, of Carrsville, VA and formerly Englewood, TN, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 20, 2022 while attending training school at the Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois.  Steven “Glenn” was born on March 5, 1986 to his parents Glenn C. and Evelyn E. Daugherty of Englewood, TN.  He was a 2004 graduate of McMinn Central High School and began his military career as an Electrician’s Mate with the United States Navy in April 2005 and remained active duty until his death.   

Steven “Glenn” was a dedicated husband and father.  He was the epitome of a true family man who greatly adored his wife and children.  He lived a simple life and was a true country boy at heart.  He enjoyed wood working, the outdoors and loved to fish, but most of his free time was spent at home with his family.  He had a vivacious personality, never met a stranger, and always kept everyone around him laughing by his quick wit and sense of humor.  He was loved by all who knew him and will be deeply missed.