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A Master Chief’s Memorial Day Remembrance

Greetings to all!

As you know, this is a weekend traditionally dedicated to remembering shipmates, comrades in arms or however you choose to personally refer to those who have passed away. Most have made the ultimate sacrifice while safe-guarding our country, others were good friends in uniform who will live on in our hearts and memories forever.

The one I will never forget is STGCM Jack Carr - or as he was affectionately known as “Mad Jack”. He was the epitome of what a MASTER CHIEF should be. One of the reasons I remember Jack so well is because he was the one that initiated me into the world of the “Chief’s Mess”. He was friend, a confidante, a steaming buddy, and of course, a fellow Chief.

The biggest reason Mad Jack will always stick in my mind is not because he paid for his time on earth and lost his life far too soon, it’s that he passed away so close to this weekend for a reason that only the MCPON in the sky knows.

Jack died suddenly at a pool party at his house one week after the Memorial Day weekend. Cooking at the Barbie just before he decided to dive into his pool, he suffered a massive heart attack while in the pool.

My friend Jack was buried with honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. My family and I will make our annual pilgrimage to Arlington this weekend to stop by and spend some time visiting with Jack.

While we are there we will visit with many of our shipmates that have gone before us notables as JFK, Audie Murphy, the crew from the USS Stark, those from the USS Cole, and many thousands more.

While visiting all of these friends and shipmates we will sit down and have a snack and a toast to their memory, a moment of silence that gives each of us a time to reflect on these wonderful individuals, plus new arrivals.

My wish for the next year is that we will not have many new arrivals to these hallowed grounds. I have buried far too many good friends and shipmates over the years and I don’t wish to have to bury any more.

My heart goes out to all of the families of those who have paid with their lives this year and in years past for the freedoms we have to enjoy so easily and freely today.

Please take a moment to remember your own precious friends and family members in uniform who fought the good fight during their time here with us on earth.

May God bless all of you and keep you safe this holiday weekend,

Master Chief out

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