Command Tribute: Commander Pete Turner
AW2 Michael Freeman
XO, Chaplain, Megan, Friends and Shipmates, The Commanding Officer, Captain Syd Abernethy and all of us in uniform thank you all for coming. He is currently on the east coast, but sends his deepest sympathies.
Here we are, all stunned and in disbelief that this happened. It would be nice to tie this up neatly and make sense of the passing of a truly outstanding young man. Why Michael? There are no easy answers. In the bible, Saint Paul is quoted as saying “Behold, I tell you a mystery”.
We’re all looking for answers and can’t explain this away. We are torn up over this tragedy. A certain emptiness exists in the SAR hangar.
Every day is a gift; we are only promised one day at a time. Life is indeed transitory.
None of us can make this better for Megan. What we can do, as Navy brethren, is to stand with you in solidarity and celebrate the life of Michael Freeman and honor his memory.
As a youngster, Michael faced many difficulties in life. And yet he persevered. He found his stride in the Navy. His list of accomplishments in the Navy is truly distinguished. He quickly earned his Wings of Gold and qualified as a jet engine mechanic, Plane Captain and Naval Aircrewman in three different helicopters.
Additionally, he was hand selected as a both a Helicopter Inland Rescue Aircrewman and Rescue Swimmer. His record is full of 4.0 exams and flight evaluations, culminating with his earning his EAWS wings. And to no one’s surprise, Mike received an outstanding on his Physical Readiness Tests. It’s a safe bet that Mike pumped more iron at Whidbey Island than most of us pump in a lifetime. If you’ve ever split wood, you know what a wedge is. Mike had the silhouette of a wedge, possessing overwhelming strength. I’m afraid with him gone, GNC protein stock might never recover.
Mike was a real work horse in the Search and Rescue hangar. The image of him completing an inspection on a Knighthawk helicopter against a darkened sky is seared in many of our memories. It was too dark to see his face, but based on the shoulders being twice the size of his waist, you knew it was Aviation Warfare Systems Operator Michael Freeman.
And when you later launched into that night sky, it was comforting to know that Michael was onboard and had signed off the inspections.
The tone in his voice during dynamic situations in the air is the same tone that orders a glass of iced tea. He embodied grace under pressure. He also could always be counted on for sage and honest advice. As his shipmates can attest, be careful bouncing a girlfriend problem off of him, he might just side with your girlfriend.
Perhaps his greatest asset, Mike possessed a positive, can-do attitude towards everything.
He was an outstanding naval aircrewman, loyal friend, loving brother, and faithful son.
His legacy and can-do attitude will always endure. We miss you Mike. God bless.
Men and women in uniform, please rise for the following award…
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
XO, Chaplain, Megan, Friends and Shipmates, The Commanding Officer, Captain Syd Abernethy and all of us in uniform thank you all for coming. He is currently on the east coast, but sends his deepest sympathies.
Here we are, all stunned and in disbelief that this happened. It would be nice to tie this up neatly and make sense of the passing of a truly outstanding young man. Why Michael? There are no easy answers. In the bible, Saint Paul is quoted as saying “Behold, I tell you a mystery”.
We’re all looking for answers and can’t explain this away. We are torn up over this tragedy. A certain emptiness exists in the SAR hangar.
Every day is a gift; we are only promised one day at a time. Life is indeed transitory.
None of us can make this better for Megan. What we can do, as Navy brethren, is to stand with you in solidarity and celebrate the life of Michael Freeman and honor his memory.
As a youngster, Michael faced many difficulties in life. And yet he persevered. He found his stride in the Navy. His list of accomplishments in the Navy is truly distinguished. He quickly earned his Wings of Gold and qualified as a jet engine mechanic, Plane Captain and Naval Aircrewman in three different helicopters.
Additionally, he was hand selected as a both a Helicopter Inland Rescue Aircrewman and Rescue Swimmer. His record is full of 4.0 exams and flight evaluations, culminating with his earning his EAWS wings. And to no one’s surprise, Mike received an outstanding on his Physical Readiness Tests. It’s a safe bet that Mike pumped more iron at Whidbey Island than most of us pump in a lifetime. If you’ve ever split wood, you know what a wedge is. Mike had the silhouette of a wedge, possessing overwhelming strength. I’m afraid with him gone, GNC protein stock might never recover.
Mike was a real work horse in the Search and Rescue hangar. The image of him completing an inspection on a Knighthawk helicopter against a darkened sky is seared in many of our memories. It was too dark to see his face, but based on the shoulders being twice the size of his waist, you knew it was Aviation Warfare Systems Operator Michael Freeman.
And when you later launched into that night sky, it was comforting to know that Michael was onboard and had signed off the inspections.
The tone in his voice during dynamic situations in the air is the same tone that orders a glass of iced tea. He embodied grace under pressure. He also could always be counted on for sage and honest advice. As his shipmates can attest, be careful bouncing a girlfriend problem off of him, he might just side with your girlfriend.
Perhaps his greatest asset, Mike possessed a positive, can-do attitude towards everything.
He was an outstanding naval aircrewman, loyal friend, loving brother, and faithful son.
His legacy and can-do attitude will always endure. We miss you Mike. God bless.
Men and women in uniform, please rise for the following award…
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
posted by mikeysfriends at 9:17 AM
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