Normally I am a calm, cool and
collected person but sorry guys that won't happen in this post. Last
week I was talking about tomorrow not being promised. Well never in a
million years did I guess I would lose a friend so quickly. I am an
emotional wreck right now. That never happens to me. I normally keep
it in. Right now I am sitting hoping that this is all a cruel joke.
Luke (GT)cant be gone!
When I go to sleep I always have my
phone on loud so I will not miss any phone call or text. Well
Saturday night I decided I was going to put it on silent because I
had not been sleeping good! I woke up Sunday and had 13 missed
calls, 12 voice-mails, 22 text messages and countless Facebook
Messages. When I saw this I thought to myself that this better be
damn important. Then I heard the dreaded words on the voice-mail.
“Kory call me GT passed away”. I sat there for 5 minutes
replaying it. There is no way this happened. I was just talking to
him on Wednesday before he went on leave. As a matter of fact he just
posted a picture on Facebook. I went to go look at his page and it
was filled with RIP Luke from his family. That’s when it hit me, I
lost a member of my Navy family. I froze. This can't be happening.
Not Luke he is what a friend should be!
From the moment we saw GT's orders to
the ship we knew he was going to be something else. No one knew how
to pronounce his last name! Then when he showed up to the ship on
that cold December day! I was standing topside rover and I look down
and I see someone where a full suit. I could only think who the hell
is that??? When I got off watch I went to go find out. When I
stepped on the Quarterdeck (actually I didnt even make it out the
door) he came up to me and said “Hi my name is Luke!” I welcomed
him on board and asked him why he was wearing a suit and he said he
just like to Suit Up! I knew from that point forward it was going to
be nothing normal about him. The next morning he showed up to
Quarters with the shiniest boots and was standing at parade rest. It
took him a couple weeks to get him to stop doing that. He had the
most military bearing on the ship. Over the next couple weeks he
slowly came out of his shell and showed us who he was. The most
caring and compassionate person.
Eventually I got to transfer up to his
Division and well that’s when he really became a part of my
family!We had to share a desk for the first couple weeks because
there weren’t enough. He made sure that I was trained and would not
leave until I knew what I was doing. If I had any issues he was there
to help. If he couldn’t do it, he found someone who could! Luke
would wake up at any time of the night (although he didnt sleep much)
if you need something! He really was a great friend!
Another side of Luke was he liked to
push every boundary know to man. During Holiday Standdown of 2012 he
decided to read the regulations on hair styles in the Navy. He showed
up the next day with highlights in his hair. I couldn’t stop
laughing because I knew Chief Winslow was not going to be happy with
this choice. When Chief walked into the shop and saw GT he just put
his hand over his mouth and just shook his head. GT pulled out the
regs and showed Chief. He still had to go change his hair!
Being out in public with him was always
a trip. I don’t think he knew how to dress down! He was always
wearing a fancy shirt and suspenders or bow tie. Going to our local
hang out “The Dutch” was always fun. He liked to try spicy food
so he accepted the challenge of eating the spiciest pasta with a lot
of peppers. He cried but he did it! Simple moments like these make
him awesome!
My last moment on the ship with him was
standing a Quarterdeck watch with him. Without fail he made me laugh
the whole time. He didnt care what he said over the loudspeaker. He
didnt rehearse anything! Well he accidentally said the word Shit!
OPS came running out the door so fast to chew him out! Luke played it
off like OPS was hearing things and that nothing was said. He was so
confused and walked away not yelling at him! It was priceless!
Just typing up these few moments has
made me smile and cry! Luke was a genuine person and he will be
deeply missed by all of the Mount Whitney crew. All I want to know is
why did he have to be taken so young. He had so much more to give to
the world. I know god has a plan for him but I just don't understand
it! I sat in bed last night crying! Thankfully I had the rest of my
Navy family messaging me and calling me so we can get through this
together. We are all hurt! Its also good to see all the photos and
memories posted all over social media. He touched so many people. My
prayers do go out for his family. I can only imagine what they are
going through after losing a son so young!
Thank you everyone for listening to me
as a babble on during my emotional wreck! When you go to sleep say
a prayer for everyone you love. That they stay safe! Remember
tomorrow is not promised so take nothing for granted!
RIP Luke! I love you and will miss you!
