He gave his all for the Love of his Ship and Crew

It seems odd that a Soldier could offer a proper memorial for a Sailor who gave his all for his crew and ship. This is a task that might better be accomplished by another Sailor but if not for a Sailor (Rich) publishing this story in the Off Topic section this forum would know nothing about a Hero who gave his life saving the lives of his fellow crewmen aboard the USS Fitzgerald.

My credentials as a Sailor are limited to the experiences of a commercial fisherman and of a High School JROTC Cadet, the saltiest voyage there being a 10 day cruise on a 1945 Gearing Class Destroyer, the USS William C Lawe. It was an incredibly eye opening experience. I celebrated my 17th Birthday in a storm and got to see how tiny a ship can be in the fury of the deep. I learned that the words of the Navy Hymn; “Oh hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the Sea” applies to all Sailors who are underway because all who are on the Sea are in peril. Even when Seas are calm and the watch is long, there is peril. The Sea is a dangerous place to be and things can go from all is well to all is hell in a split second. That’s what happened at 1am June 17th aboard the USS Fitzgerald.

Of course having been a Naval Cadet I considered a career in the Navy but having come from a Marine Corps family that was highly unlikely. I could not imagine being in a situation where I was being shot at and would not be able to find a hole to jump into or maybe a tree or a rock to get behind. The thing that unnerved me the most was the thought of being locked down or having to lock others down in a flooding compartment. At the age of my enlistment I did not feel adaptable to that situation.

The writer of the article at the link below does his best to describe the environment that existed on the USS  Fitzgerald following the collision. It is an incredibly disorienting and confusing environment. The only thing that allows a Sailor to overcome it is a detailed knowledge of his ship, a Love of his crewmen and an incredible amount of Courage. Fire Controlman 1st Class Gary Leo Rehm Jr. had all of those things. He gave his life so that others would live.

Full Story HERE

Jesus Christ explained that there is no greater Love that a man can have than to lay down his life for a friend. May this Sailor rest in peace in the arms of an ever loving God.