Remember those that died on USS STARK FFG-31

I've switched over to blogger, this is a repost from May 17, 2007 - Thursday

Twenty years ago today the fast frigate USS Stark (FFG-31) was struck by two Iraqi Exocet missiles killing 37 of my friends. I was 19 years old then trying to find my place in this world. Although today I am still trying to find my place in this crazy world, I can always look back at the fond memories I had of one of my friends that died on that tragic day.

Dan Weldon, as I remember him but I believe his given name was Terrance Weldon. He was among the several to die that day. Dan worked in the Combat System Department. I worked in the Engineering Department. We didn't see much of each other during the "normal" work day but enjoyed each other's company outside of Navy life. You could say we were dart buddies if such a term exists.

Dan had a great personality and was very mild mannered. We would occasionally meet up at ASU (Administrative Support Unit) Bahrain, play cricket, listen to some Steve Miller, talk about home and drink nasty formaldehyde beer. What made Dan so great was that he was a great loser at darts. I would win a game of 301 and he would buy me one of those heavily preserved Budweiser's, what a sweet deal even though the beer sucked.

Through our friendship I learned he was married and had a child on the way back home. It still saddens me to think he never had the chance to see his child. Many years past and still today I am disheartened to ponder what his daughter or son have missed out on. I'm not trying to make a political statement against the right or wrongs about sending our troops into harms way. Like many of those that died on May 17, 1987, they were just like me, Men and Woman of honor and courage. We joined the military for our own personal reasons and I'll leave it as just that.

I have buried so many bad memories from that day that I have actually come to terms or just plain forgotten many of the details associated with it. I do recall many times wishing that I could have traded places with Dan so he could go home to his wife and child.

This day as always for the past 20 years, I will be remember you Dan and our time playing darts together. I will have a beer or two in your honor and you can bet it won't be one of those cheap formaldehyde shit beers.