“I met my husband, Chris in 1991. After he graduated high school, his parents dictated his career path. He was told the school that he would attend and the degree that he would pursue. However, his parents did not not provide any emotional or financial support. Chris was working three jobs and studying something that he was not interested in. He wanted to pursue his own interests and knew that he had to venture out of our hometown to do so. Chris’ grandfather and my father both served in the US Army and were positive influences in his life. He explored his options and decided that the Navy was the best choice for his life path. He enlisted on November 21, 1996. After recruit training, Chris completed Fire Control ‘A’ School and MK-86 Fire Control ‘C’ School at ‘Naval Training Center, ‘ Great Lakes, IL. Later he completed the MK-160 ‘C’ School and Micro and Mini Electronic Repair (2M) at Naval Station Norfolk, VA. He was designated as a Fire Controlman (FC) specializing in the MK-86 Gun Fire Control System and later the MK-160 Gun Weapon System. Chris was an incredible Sailor who moved through the ranks quickly. He advanced to the rank of Chief Petty Officer (E-7) in about 7 years. Soon thereafter, he decided to change career paths. He applied for, and was accepted into the Navy’s Limited Duty Officer (LDO) Program as an Ordinance Officer. He completed LDO training at Officer Training Command, in Newport, RI. Chris received numerous awards and honors. They include but are not limited to: the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct, National Defense, Armed Forces Expedition, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Sea Service Ribbon, NATO Medal, Pistol Marksman Ribbon. He also earned his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and Surface Warfare Officer designators. During his 19 years of service, Chris was stationed on the USS Nicholson (DD-982), the USS Vella Gulf (CG-72), the USS Comstock (LSD-45), the USS Cape St. George (CG-71), and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). He was also stationed at NAES Lakehurst, NJ and at White Sands Missile Range in NM. He was a Lieutenant at the time of his death. His fitness reports were always outstanding and he was consistently recommended for advancement. Chris served the Navy with his full heart and soul and I have no doubt that he would have continued to advance through retirement. I am proud of my husband for many reasons but most of all of his emotional strength and his selflessness. I know how hard it was for him to have been deployed the greater majority of his life and although he struggled with his absenteeism, he was determined to provide the best life possible for me and our children. I saw how the stress affected him but he pressed on for his family. He suppressed his emotional distress and left it at the front door. He never let Ryan or Dylan know that he was exhausted mentally and physically and he gave everything toward being the amazing father that he was when he was with them. It is painful that he was so close to retirement and died before we could ever truly be together as family. His death was the most painful experience of my life. He was and always will be the love of my life. Living without him has been extremely challenging to say the least. My children and I miss him dearly. If there was any wish we could have, it would be to have him back in our lives.”
