This has been a busy week. It began with an unexpected emergency to baptize the grandchild of a dear friend injured in a terrible household accident. I drove from North Carolina on Sunday to Virginia Beach and returned Monday evening. When I returned I was getting ready and preparing for the memorial service for a shipmate who died just two months from retirement, a service that we conducted today. After the service I was able to drive back to see my wife Judy and our nephew Adam, an Army Sergeant who is taking a course at Fort Lee and who is visiting for the weekend.
I am tired but blessed. Despite the hectic schedule I do love what I do and the people that I have the honor of serving. Today was no exception as I had the honor of conducting the memorial service for Hospital Corpsman First Class David Graney, a Cardiovascular Technician at Naval Hospital Camp LeJeune.
David was preparing for retirement and was just two months away from when he would retire when he passed away. He was beloved among his fellow sailors, a mentor, friend, shipmate and leader. He was so knowledgable about his work that many people that he met in professional settings assumed that he was a fellow Cardiologist and not a technician who was attending conferences with the Cardiologists that he worked for and with. He was a leader who took care of his sailors teaching, caring and helping. He was a model Corpsmen. He was honest, forthright and did not hesitate to give his professional opinion and had a devastating sense of humor. I did not know him well, I had only met him a few times but from what his friends, shipmates and co-workers said I realized that David was a gem of a human being ad wonderful sailor.
His memorial service was attended by his family as well as former shipmates who travelled from across the country to attend. With our sailors drawn up in ranks in their dress blues David’s friends and shipmates recounted his impact on their lives. I had the honor of conducting the service as well as preaching the homily. I was really touched by the words of a young Corpsman who David led, as well as the words of our staff Cardiologist and a Petty Officer who had attended the Cardiovascular Technician course with David. What was consistent was that David was honest, forthright, knew his job, cared about those that were in his charge and was incredibly funny. His death, sudden and unexpected reminded us all of our own mortality.
David will be missed by all those whose lives he touched. His death tore a hole in the fabric of the community that he served and in his family. I know that I wonder and ask the “why” question when someone like David dies seemingly before he should. Of course the “why” question cannot be answered except that for all of us death is a certainty, but not necessarily the end. Likewise that God will not fill the hole that is left in our lives when we lose someone dear to us. We can try to do it but that is ultimately self defeating because as long as that hole remains we remain connected to the one that we have lost. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said that:
“There is nothing that can replace the absence of someone dear to us, and one should not even attempt to do so. One must simply hold out and endure it. At first that sounds very hard, but at the same time it is also a great comfort. For to the extent the emptiness truly remains unfilled one remains connected to the other person through it. It is wrong to say that God fills the emptiness. God in no way fills it but much more leaves it precisely unfilled and thus helps us preserve — even in pain — the authentic relationship. Further more, the more beautiful and full the remembrances, the more difficult the separation. But gratitude transforms the torment of memory into silent joy. One bears what was lovely in the past not as a thorn but as a precious gift deep within, a hidden treasure of which one can always be certain.”
I am tired right now, but have been privileged to be a part lives of the people that I have be able to serve this week. The are friends, they are shipmates, they are family. They are part of the tapestry of my life.
Tonight I was able to celebrate the birthday of a friend at Gordon Biersch and I will check in on my friend whose grandson was injured while I am home. It should be a nice and hopefully relaxing weekend wit Judy, Molly and our nephew Adam before I return to North Carolina on Monday.
Have a blessed weekend.
Peace,
Padre Steve+
The Inglorius Padre Steve's World 
It’s amazing how people we don’t really know can touch us. I found out a couple days ago that a frequent commenter at another blog I frequent had unexpectedly died of a stroke, age 47 (two years younger than I), leaving a wife and two children. Though I had only read his comments, and bantered maybe once or twice with him, I was surprised at the shock I felt. Perhaps it was the fact he was younger, or perhaps I enjoyed his virtual company so much, I had started to think of him as a friend. Either way, I am saddened by his loss, but thankful for the wit and wisdom He graciously shared with our little blog family.
And thank you, Padre, for this post. I frequently hear the commentary of “well, it’s not like he died in combat”. Any service member who dies deserves our untarnished respect and admiration. I’m sorry he didn’t get to his retirement, but I am glad that he had such a great circle of friends, both in and out of the service, to send him off proudly.
Here’s hoping you have a good weekend, Padre. And best wishes to little .. Evan, I hope that’s right.
I just found out about HM1’s death the other day. I was ironically searching the internet looking for his phone number for my insurance application. David had been a rock helping me through all of my medical appointments when I retired back in 2010. He was a friend of mine and my wife’s. I know he was looking forward to retirement, and I was hoping to see an invite to the ceremony. I was giving him some advice to make his transition to the civilian world a bit smoother, it is so sad that he didn’t make it. And I agree with the above comment and will add, it doesn’t matter where you died, or where you served, if you serve in our Military you are a hero. I served 21 years, 18 in a hospital and the rest with the Marines. I loved doing both, but when the chips were down for me and I ended up with heart issues, a fellow Corpsman was by my side, but I really felt safe when I got to a Naval Hospital! David and Dr. Rodriguez took care of me for years, so he is MY hero! God bless you David and I know you are in a better place. To his family and friends, I am sorry for your loss. HMC (FMF)(ret) Montgomery Clemons
David is my step-brother. He is extremely beloved by his friends and family. We all miss him deeply. His dog, MoJo is settled into his parents home. We all love on him as if we’re a little closer to David. I know David just loves that his dog is getting so much attention. We wish we could have spent some quality time with him after retirement but God had bigger plans for him. He was taken so suddenly. It will and is hard for all of us to move on without him. He is in out hearts and thoughts everyday. We love you David. -Sis