Navy Gold Star Program

“Forever Loved, Never Forgotten”

The Navy Gold Star Program is eternally grateful for the sacrifice of those Service Members who have died in service to our country. To help us to never forget, we have set up this tribute page to honor and remember the memory of those lives. If you would like to honor the memory of your Sailor, Soldier, Marine, Airman or Coast Guardsman through the Navy Gold Star website please submit your thoughts and a photo.

Jay was a great sailor and an even better man. When I first met him we were both sailors, the A-Ganger and the Hul Tech, at that time I out ranked him but it didn’t last long as he quickly moved up the ranks. He was admired and respected by the many sailors who served with him and under him. Jay was very proud of serving his country and had been out to sea most of his 23 year career. Sadly, he passed away while preparing to go out to sea yet again on the USS Alabama. Jay loved his family very much and was looking forward to his upcoming retirement and being able to spend more time with his family and friends. He was a kind, generous man with a big heart and a warm smile and exhibited those traits every day. His was the definition of a life well-lived! He touched many people’s lives and is greatly missed.–Lisa Brettin, Gold Star Spouse

Tributes

HM1 John Garcia
October 2, 1982 - October 24, 2020

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Testimonials

I lost my son while serving as a Sonar Technician aboard a DDG on Nov. 19, 2018. It was and remains the single most horrific experience of my life. I lost my best friend and my hero. He only got to be a father in his mind for about 3 weeks. The Gold Star coordinator was at my son's service this past Dec. 7th. She came to me and introduced herself and offered any assistance my family needed at any time and without end if necessary. I wasn't at the time ready to discuss anything of the sort. A few months later I've reached back to her, the support has been nothing short of amazing. She has shown my family compassion and support beyond anything I could have imagined. I am still having a very difficult time even writing this note but I have come a very long way from what transpired close to a year ago. I've lost my parents and a brother but that pails in comparison to the loss of my son. He loved the Navy and his country and was proud and honored to serve. Nothing will every bring him back but one thing I am sure of is that the Navy genuinely cares about their own. I've never been one to ask for help from anyone but I have never been broken this way. My GS Coordinator has made a difference to me and my family. She has helped me know that my son did not pass in vain or was just another number or statistic. I will forever be grateful to my special angel Diana.

- Gary Lowry

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