"Deploying with my son are the ashes of my wife’s late father, 'Chief of the Boat' William F. Heffelmire, for burial at sea.
"We were fortunate to have a family member deploying at this time. It was Heff's wishes to be buried at sea. Hugh and 'Grumpy' (as the grandkids called him) were quite fond of each other. Hugh would often stop by to visit Grumpy after school to play cards, or for a game of pool in the basement.
"Although Heff was a sub sailor, I don’t think he would mind his final deployment being on a surface ship, as long as he was with family."
PACIFIC OCEAN (April 8, 2009) -- Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Hugh Craig, from Bremerton, Wash., eulogizes his grandfather, Chief of the Boat William Heffelmire, during a memorial service in the ship's chapel aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis is on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean.U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Josue L. Escobosa.
Thank you for your post. Adam is my son, and Heff was my father-in-law. Heff was a great guy, and we miss him.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate your comment, Stu. The photo touched me because I lost my father, also a Navy man from the same generation.
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