Eleven Sailors from Training Support Center Hampton Roads (TSCHR) and their supported learning sites traveled to the Pentagon to pay tribute to the seven USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) Sailors that perished when their ship collided with a cargo ship off the coast of Japan.

The following were honored at the ceremony: Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Noe Hernandez, 26; Seaman Dakota Rigsby, 19; Yeoman 3rd Class Shingo Douglass, 25; Sonar Technician 3rd Class Ngoc Truong Huynh, 25; Fire Controlman 2nd Class Carlos Sibayan, 23; Personnel Specialist 1st Class Xavier Martin, 24; and Fire Controlman 1st Class Gary Rehm Jr., 37.

The memorial was only open to family members of those lost, former Fitzgerald Sailors and personnel serving at the Pentagon. It ended up being an overflow, standing room only crowd. Operations Specialist 2nd Class Justin Brown was stationed aboard the USS Fitzgerald for two years prior to reporting to TSCHR Facilities in November 2016 and assisted in coordinating the other former Fitzgerald Sailors, both Students and Staff, to attend the memorial.

"I knew all seven that died, said Brown. "They were not only my shipmates, but my friends."

"I was planning on making the D.C. trip with a couple of my friends, when Chaplain Shinn, TSCHR, asked if I'd help coordinate a command trip, said Brown. "I felt this was the least I could do to show my former shipmates, friends and their families the support and respect to honor them as much as I can."

According to Brown, when he heard the news of the collision, coincidentally he was hanging out with a few 'Fitz' friends. "One minute we're having a great time playing video games and the next, we are receiving texts about the ship being hit. We immediately start trying to contact our buddies on the ship without any response and then we heard on the news the ship was hit, and our shipmates weren't answering our texts. I can remember just sitting on the couch watching CNN in disbelief and my thoughts went really dark, really quick. I just thought this was the worst Saturday night in my entire life," said Brown.

"As soon as I realized I had former USS Fitzgerald Sailors on my staff and in my school houses, I brought my command Chaplain and CMC together to ensure we were supporting those Sailors. Being able to ensure their attendance at the memorial service at the Pentagon with other former Fitzgerald Shipmates was a priority," said Capt. Edward Gettins, TSCHR, commanding officer.

"In my opinion, anyone who puts on the uniform is a hero. My friends that died were doing their jobs and they paid the ultimate sacrifice and while they will be missed, they are true heroes," Brown said.

While it's going to be difficult at the memorial, it will be nice to see my shipmates' families," said Brown.


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