Navy Gold Star Coordinator Support

On Easter Sunday, April 19th, 1987 at 3:06 am our darling Jacob was born.December 31st, 2010 was the last time I saw my son, Jacob. I’ll forever cherish the memory of him sledding down a friend’s driveway to usher in that new year. In his typical fashion, he added an extra kick to our fun day with his hilarious sense of humor. It was February 7th, 2011 at around 6:30 pm when THE knock on my door happened. My world collapsed when two uniformed Navy Commanders were standing at my door.... and their words "Ma’am, are you Audrey, .....on behalf of the United States Navy.....we regret to inform you........"Growing up, Jacob had an adventurous, daring, yet gentle spirit. He loved the Boy Scouts, Royal Rangers, BMX biking, snowboarding, and especially scuba diving. Each activity played a valuable part in preparing him for the success he showed in the Navy. Our hero, Jacob Keith Bare, joined the Navy after high school. He followed a family line of military warriors. His maternal great grandfather served in the German Army and is buried at Champigny-St. -André; Futelaye, France. His maternal grandfather is retired United States Army and served in the Korean war and did two tours in Vietnam. Jacob's maternal uncle served in the US Navy and Jacob's father was in the US Air Force. This spirit of selfless, honorable, and courageous service was carried out in our family and in Jacob. He valued absolute respect and duty to his Country. Jacob never wanted any accolades for any outstanding action on his part. He always deemed it a natural result of his love for his fellow man and Country. When Jacob saved a classmate's life at Jenkins High School in 2003, when he would donate blood to the Blood Bank, or when he earned the Meritorious Service Medal in 2010, we would hear of it from other people, instead of from him. In fact, we didn't even learn that he served in the Persian Gulf and in Iraq until it was engraved on his tombstone. When I would ask him about long deployments, his favorite quote would be, "Loose lips sink ships." Jacob spent time on the USS Shoup DDG-86 in 2006, graduated from Navy Dive School in Panama City, Florida in 2008, and completed the Airborne course in Fort Benning, GA in 2010 at the top 5 in his group. His duty station was in Pearl City, Hawaii with the Seal Delivery Vehicle Team One (SDVT-1). He earned many awards and accolades. His Commanding Officer, at the time of his death, said that he did his job well.I know that he has left an everlasting impression and presence in our lives and the many lives he touched with his loyalty, bravery, generosity, humor, and dedication. We are so very blessed to have had the miraculous gift that Jacob was in our lives and we are anchored in the hope to see him for eternity. -Written by Audrey Reese, Gold Star Mother

Joseph Anthony Reese II, Fire Controlmen II Petty Officer Officer 2nd Class was born July 6, 1996 and died September 19, 2020. Joseph served in the United States Navy. He loved life and he leaves his parents, Robert and Valerie Byas and 5 siblings, James Talley III, Janelle Talley,  Janee' Talley,  Christopher Talley and Christian Talley behind to cherish his memory.  Joseph brought joy to our lives and he will forever be missed.

 

Our son, Raymond (Joe) Luckett III enlisted in the Navy when he was 25. After boot camp, Joe trained to serve as a Seabee. He was proud to serve as a Seabee and traveled the world, serving in Afghanistan, Japan, Sicily, Bahrain and Somalia. He also spent a short amount of time serving in Romania. Joe was well respected wherever he served because he always went above and beyond what was asked of him. Joe was getting ready to leave the States to deploy to Guam at the time of his death. He was proud to be a Seabee. He was especially proud to serve in the greatest Navy in the world. His family, fellow sailors, and friends miss him greatly.

Michael Vecchio was born in Brick, NJ, and graduated from Brick High School. Growing up, “an energetic ball of curiosity,” said his dad, Michael. “He loved action sports such as snowboarding, surfing, golf, mountain biking, skating, and spear fishing – just to name a few.” He had a love of music and played harmonica and the ukulele and was a cunning chess player. Michael had an ability to see those in need and help them with absolute selflessness. “He would choose to do the right thing which was not always the easiest thing,” said his mother, Carol. Michael joined the Navy in 2016 and began training to become an Air Acoustics Systems Operator. He was scheduled to be part of the tactical sub hunting group, Patrol Squadron 30. “Michael did not have the opportunity to serve as he would have wished but his indelible soul will surely be transmitted into all whose lives he had touched and continue in his spirit of those who served alongside him,” said Michael. He is remembered by his mother and father, Carol and Michael, and his older brother, Vincent.