PS1 Xavier MartinPersonnel Specialist First Class Xavier Alec Martin, born September 27, 1992, to Darrold and Magali Martin in Baltimore, Maryland and lived in Elkridge, Maryland. Xavier attended Landsdowne High School where he excelled academically and ran hurdles in track and field. After graduating in 2010, he was accepted into an internship program at the National Security Agency (NSA). After completing his internship, Xavier was hired by NSA until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 24, 2012.
Xavier completed recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Illinois, and attended Airman training in Pensacola, Florida. After Xavier was selected for Personnel Specialist in 2013, he quickly began to moved up the ranks in the Navy. As a Personnel Specialist he reported to his first command, Personnel Support Detachment (PSD) Guam. After a successful tour in Guam, he was stationed in Yokusa, Japahe where he reported to the USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) in August 2016. Xavier's awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards) and various unit and service awards. On June 17, 2017, PS1 Xavier Martin alongside six other Shipmates died when the USS Fitzgerald, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, collided with a container ship off the coast of Japan. |
ET1 Kevin BushellHere is a story about Kevin you probably have not heard, it shows just how gentle and precious he was.
When Kevin was about two years old we had just arrived home from running errands, as we were walking to the front door of our home we were passing the flowers planted in the garden. Kevin stopped in front of us and turned toward the flowers, he had spotted a bumble bee on one of the flowers with no hesitation he reached out and gently picked up the bee with his thumb and forefinger one either side of the bee turned to us showing what he had found. He then released the bee very gently and the bee flew away as if never disturbed. Kevin did not have one ounce of fear and the bee new that Kevin had no intention of harming it, This is how Kevin lived his life, with no fear of anything, very gentle to the world and a great love of all God's creatures. He took care of numerous animals, as his room was lined with aquariums and cages of animals he either enjoyed having or saved from danger or were injured. When ready he would release them back to the wild, this is how Kevin interacted with everyone and everything. He was a beautiful boy/man who had a heart of gold and the soul of an angel, highly intelligent, more integrity then most and kindness that was very contagious. He will be missed by all who new him. People like Kevin are few and far between. The world would be a much kinder place if filled with more people like Kevin Sayer Bushell. On Monday, August 21, 2017, Kevin Sayer Bushell died while proudly serving in the United States Navy, aboard the USS JOHN S. MCCAIN when it collided with a merchant ship while approaching Singapore. Sincerely, Thomas S. Bushell Father of ET1 Petty Officer First Class Kevin Sayer Bushell May he rest in peace |
IT2 Timothy EckelsInformation Systems Technician Second Class Timothy Thomas Eckels Jr. was born October 31, 1993, in Baltimore, Maryland. He grew up in Carroll County, and attended Manchester High School, where he graduated in 2012. A year in a half later, he enlisted in United States Navy, where he severed for the past 4 years. He received numerous awards and decorations throughout that time and made many friends along the way.
Timothy also had a passion for cooking and enjoyed listening to all genres of music, playing video games, drawing and physical fitness. He would record his workouts or hikes and post the videos on his social media accounts for his followers to view. In addition, he enjoyed the solitude of fishing and would go as often as he could with his father. Timothy was an avid reader with Ernest Hemmingway being one of his favorite authors. Timmy was the most compassionate, resilient, devoted and caring person you could have ever met, and all will surely miss him. On Monday, August 21, 2017, Timothy Thomas Eckels, Jr. died while proudly serving in the United States Navy, aboard the USS JOHN S. MCCAIN when it collided with a merchant ship while approaching Singapore. |