USS Stark Memorial

Recently, there was a memorial that took place at the Naval Station in Mayport, FL {which just so happens to be where my sister and her family are currently stationed ... she's married to a Navy man}. This memorial resonated with me because it honors the USS Stark Sailors.

One might think, why does that matter to you??? Click HERE! :)

And I have to be honest, until now, none of us realized that there was an annual memorial for the USS Stark and those who lost their lives, until my sister recently moved there. I would have totally loved to have been there for the memorial with my dad, and I'm absolutely floored that even after 26 years, this community and Naval Station, continues to honor the fallen soldiers.

STEALS.MY.HEART!

So here's some background and why it resonates with me.

The USS Stark was deployed to the Middle East twice, one of which being the year of 1987. During the 1987 deployment, the USS Stark came under attack and was struck on May 17, 1987 by not one, but two, anti-ship missiles. These missiles were fired from an Iraqi Mirage F1 aircraft during the Iran-Iraq War.

The USS Stark shipmates had little to no warning that these missiles were about to strike as the radar failed to detect the missiles. A warning was given only moments before the missiles actually struck.

The first missile penetrated the port-side hull but luckily, it failed to detonate. Even still, it caused extensive damage and left flaming rocket fuel in its path. The second missile struck the vessel and entered at nearly the same point of contact. This second missile exploded in the crew quarters and created a 3x4 meter crater.

This destruction took the lives of 37 sailors and wounded 21 others.

Here's a picture my sister found of my dad while on the USS Stark.
He was so young still. He was only 31 years-old ... that's basically my age right now!

 

Today, my sister posted a different video of the memorial service and it made me think about so much, and I love how now {even after TWENTY-SIX YEARS!!!} that the Mayport community continues to honor those Sailors who fought and gave their lives.

My own father was personally on this ship when it got bombed. I was only 4 years-old at the time and truly, I could've and would've lost him, but his own stubbornness and faith quite literally saved his life.

As I remember the story {his version might be slightly different, but this is what I remember him telling me ... and all the more reason I keep pestering him to put all his adventures in writing so I will always have HIS words ... HIS STORY ... and not have to rely on my own failing memory!}, but as I remember, he was dead tired as he had worked a 24 hour shift and had just gotten off duty. All he wanted to do was shower and go to his tiny little bed on the ship and FINALLY sleep.

You see, he had been asking a friend of his to go to the chapel service over and over each week and the guy would never go. Often times there was almost no one who attended services, but my dad was forever committed. But of course, on this particular day, the day of alllllll days, this friend decided that he would go to service. My dad ALMOST said "No" and he had good reason. He was thoroughly exhausted ... who could blame him.

However, being the faithful man that my dad is, and the fact that he had asked his friend to attend on so many different occasions, he quickly showered, gathered himself together and went to service.

As they sat there during service, THAT was when his bunk got hit. Bam! Just like that, he would have died. It would've been over. He would've went in his sleep. I wouldn't have had my father. Not to be dramatic, but he never would've seen me through my school days, listened to all my whining, my laughter, wiped away my tears; wouldn't have watched me graduate high school and college, be independent, get married, have a child, see me succeed in life ... there simply would've been so much that was missed ... just nothing. He never would've met and married my mom, Debbie, and given me the mother I always needed. I wouldn't have gained a sister and another brother. Not have my sister? Just the thought of that would be devastating.

I would've spent the next 26 years without him. Pretty humbling thought for sure.

Gives me chills.

Thankful for my dad's persistence, God's guidance and that particular friends' willingness to decide that day, was the day he needed to go to church. To this day, I have a VERY SPECIAL treasure chest that survived that bombing. It has ALWAYS meant so much to me, and now, it sits in Jocelyn's room, holding many things near and dear my heart!!

I love you so much Soda-Pop!! Thank you for always being such an incredibly, cheerful, Godly man!

Here's one of my favorite pictures with my Soda-Pop. It was taken 3 months after I had gotten married, graduated from Fort Hays State University with my degree in Biological Science and moved away from Kansas {went to Alabama -- woohoo!} for the first time. I think he was pretty proud of me. Its hard to see your daughter leave, and I was the baby, so that means I was the most loved hahaha.

And to think, pictures like this one, ALMOST.NEVER.HAPPENED!

 

I love this picture of my dad. He nearly always has a smile on his face, has never met a stranger and he is such a genuine man through and through. So proud to call you my dad!