The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
COMMUNITY HONORS FALLEN SAILOR, HERO
Elyria native Gary L. Rehm Jr. died along with six others in USS Fitzgerald collision
Family, friends and members of the community gathered for a visitation and memorial service to honor fallen U.S. Navy Chief Fire Controlman First Class, Gary Leo Rehm Jr. at Elyria’s VFW Post 1079 at 500 Abbe Road South Aug. 7.
The ceremony opened with VFW Post Judge Advocate David K. Root, one of the organizers of the ceremony, announcing to those in attendance that Rehm’s family was notified earlier in the day that prior to his passing, he was promoted.
“This morning they were notified that Gary had been promoted to chief petty officer,” Root said. “We are proud to be the first to publicly announce his promotion.”
Rehm, 37, was one of seven sailors killed while onboard the Navy Destroyer USS Fitzgerald when it collided with a Philippine flagged container ship off the coast of Japan on June 27.
His remains were returned to Virginia and will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery Aug. 16. His parents reside in Williamsburg, Virginia and his wife of 17 years resides in Hampton, Virginia.
“The Elyria community began asking that a service be held for
Gary as soon as the awful news of his death was reported,” said Root in a release. “I started putting it together right away so our citizens and his family and friends could have the closure that they need. The support of so many to help make this a reality has been overwhelming. I want to thank everyone who has stepped forward to give the community what they want and need.”
The ceremony was conducted by the Department of Ohio VFW District 9 Chaplain Services, which included a rifle salute and the performing of taps along with the ceremonial presentation of a flag to Rehm’s family in attendance.
The outside of the building was surrounded by several members of the Patriot Guard Riders holding U.S. flags, ensuring the ceremony was free of harassment and conducted with civility.
The ceremony also included presentations from the city of Elyria represented by Fire Chief Richard Benton. Benton
read a proclamation on behalf of Elyria Mayor Holly Brinda, Lorain County Commissioner Matt Lundy and a representative from the office of U.S. Congressman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, as well as members of LCCC’s veteran’s community.
Pat Hamker, Rehm’s aunt who resides in LaGrange, read the eulogy delivered by his wife Karen at an earlier ceremony in representing the family. The eulogy recalled how Rehm and his wife met in a yahoo chatroom and became engaged after four months of dating while he was still in boot camp.
“I knew after four months of treating me like a princess that he was a keeper,” Hamker read. “Our 17-year marriage of course had its ups and downs. But our downs just consisted of him buying cars without telling me.”
Jeff Rigg, of Columbus, who attended Elyria West with Rehm, remembers his passion for automobiles and his unbreakable work ethic. He recalled Rehm working as a golf caddy to save up for his first car and being a genuine person who always thought of others before himself.
“He was passionate in everything that he did,” Rigg
said. “He was just an incredible person full of personality.”
Rehm grew up in Elyria and attended Elyria West High School for his first two years. He graduated from Oberlin High School as a Lorain County Joint Vocational School student in 1998.
Following graduation he joined the U.S. Navy. Doing that, Rehm kept up a family tradition dating back to his grandfather Stanley W. Rehm who served in the South Pacific during WWII on board the USS David W. Taylor.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, DOhio, issued a statement honoring Rehm’s heroism and commitment to duty.
“Mr. Rehm was a hero in every sense of the word. With only three months until retirement, initial reports say Mr. Rehm gave his life in order to save his fellow shipmates. Like so many servicemen and women, Mr. Rehm ran into danger when so many of us would run away. As the Elyria community mourns Mr. Rehm, Connie and I join Ohioans in extending our deepest sympathies to Mr. Rehm’s family and friends, as well as the Northeast Ohio community,” Brown said.