Douglass was one in all seven sailors who died within the June 17, 2017, collision of the united statesFitzgerald (DDG 62) and the MV ACX Crystal.
In attendance on the memorial service had been YN3’s father, Grasp Sgt. (Ret) Stephen Douglass, grandfather Carl Douglass, Rear Adm. Luke A. Frost, Director, Reserve Warfare, OPNAV N95, and over 50 veterans who served throughout World Battle II, the Vietnam Battle, and the Korean Battle. Attendees joined the Gold Star household on the Honor Flight occasion, visiting most of the Washington D.C. veteran’s memorials ending on the U.S. Navy Memorial.
Gold Star Dad, Grasp Sgt. (Ret) Stephen Douglass, served 4 years within the U.S. Coast Guard and 26 within the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Desert Protect, Desert Storm, Kuwait, and Iraq.
“I’m right here with the Honor Flight Maine group, and it is simply been a beautiful time touring to Washington D.C., to see all the memorials, remembering how nice this nation is,” mentioned Stephen .”Attending the honour ceremony on the U.S. Navy Memorial right here for my son, Shingo Alexander Douglass, left me speechless.”
Grandfather Carl, a Purple Coronary heart recipient, was within the U.S. Army for 28 years, fought within the Vietnam Battle, and served in Korea.
“This honor flight introduced again many reminiscences of the Vietnam Battle and the Korean Battle,” mentioned Carl. “The memorial service on the Navy memorial for my grandson, Shingo Alexander Douglass, was an enormous shock. We recognize every thing the Navy has performed for us and my son and grandson.”
The Honor Flight Community, a nationwide nonprofit group, collaborates by unbiased hubs to satisfy its mission of exhibiting appreciation and honor to veterans.
“It’s an honor to host this occasion within the auditorium of the U.S. Navy Memorial,” mentioned Katherine McCarthy, Donor Relations Supervisor with the U.S. Navy Memorial. “Right here is the place row F, seat 09 within the auditorium is inscribed, ‘In Reminiscence of YN3 Shingo Alexander Douglass, misplaced at sea,”
Veterans take part in Honor Flight journeys, offering them the chance to share experiences, keep in mind fallen comrades, and join with others who served throughout World Battle II, the Korean Battle, the Vietnam Battle, and those that are critically unwell from any service period.
“We’re so honored to have them on this journey,” mentioned David Patch, Cmdr. (ret) Honor Flight Maine, Board of Administrators, and Vice Chair. “In fact, all our veterans on these journeys are heroes, and we do not differentiate between those that served one enlistment, a profession, or served in fight or not.”
“I had the great fortune of being concerned within the honor flight since 2007, working with the employees on Capitol Hill and taking place to the World Battle II Memorial fairly early within the Honor Flight Program when Senator Bob Dole used to go,” mentioned Rear Adm. Luke A. Frost Director, Reserve Warfare, Workplace of the Chief of Naval Operations OPNAV N95. “Each story is completely different, and I really like connecting with Veterans, listening to their service tales, and personally thanking them for his or her service in an actual and tangible approach.”
For additional details about the U.S. Navy Memorial and the Honor Flight program, please go to www.usnavymemorial.org and www.honorflight.org, respectively. These initiatives embody the spirit of honor and remembrance, paying tribute to the sacrifices made by our service members and their households.
(U.S. Navy story by Chief Mass Communications Specialist Orlando Quintero)
