PREVIOUS MEMORIAL SERVICES

2026 USS STARK MEMORIAL SERVICE

The 39^th USS Stark Memorial Service was held on Friday, May 15, 2026 at Naval Station Mayport Memorial Park. It was a beautiful sunny day and much to our surprise, temperatures were only in the upper 70's.

The program began promptly at 11am with NS Mayport's Command Master Chief Derek Strickland as the emcee. The Parade of Colors were presented by NS Mayport's own Color Guard followed by the National Anthem perfomed by Navy Band, Navy Region Southeast. LCDR Marvin Whiting, USN, Command Chaplain, NS Mayport, gave the Invocation.

To welcome everyone to the Stark Memorial Service, Captain Michael Trumbull, USN, Commanding Officer, NS Mayport, gave a wonderful speech. He spoke about how many of President Reagan's insights ring true today, "We will always remember the fallen". The men of the Stark gave their all for this nation, not for fame, but based on ideals of honor, courage, commitment, sacrifice. The entire team at Mayport strives for the same today. More than half of the ships stationed at Mayport are forward deployed protecting our freedoms doing exactly what the sailors of the USS Stark were asked to do. Freedom is not free. Our heroes died protecting freedom. Even today, the fire fighting teams, damage controls teams, and sailors defending their ship, continue to talk about the lessons they learned from the USS Stark. He also emphasized the phrase, "We remember, and we will always stand together".

At the end of his speech, hundreds of active duty sailors shouted "PRESENT" as the Captain performed a roll call of over 30 shore and surface commands stationed at Mayport ending with the USS Stark who's crew gave the loudest shout out. This new tradition was started by CMC Strickland in 2024 and as a survivor of the Stark attack myself, I can tell you that every one of us survivors of that night were filled with emotions by their display of honor and support.

After the USS Stark was decommissioned in 1999, the Naval Order of the United States (NOUS) took on the roll of keeping the Servcie going for the families. Two members were instrumental in coordinating the event; Captain Peter Wynkoop, a former Commanding Officer of the USS Stark and founding member of NOUS First Coast Commandery, and Captain Edward Froehlich, a former Commanding Officer of Naval Station Mayport. Both passed away before the 2026 Service.

Captain Wynkoop invited me to join the Naval Order and in August 2025, I began working with him to learn all the aspects of coordintating with the base to put together NS Mayport's largest Service of the year. Unfortunately, we only had one meeting together. Captain Wynkoop had an accident and passed away in December 2025. In my next meeting with NOUS, I was appointed as the USS Stark Memorial Service Coordinator. Captain Froehlich stepped up and assured me that he, and everyone else within the Naval Order, would help and guide me through everthing that needed to take place. We scheduled our first meeting on base with the CO and CMC in January and it went extremely well. I could not thank Captain Froehlich enough for leading that meeting. Thankfully, the CMC was an old pro at it having already completed two previous Services. Now that I know everything that goes on for this service, I think CMC Strickland deserves a medal for everything he's done to honor or shipmates that we lost 39 years ago.

Sadly, just one week before the Service, Captain Froehlich passed away. To honor both Captain Wynkoop and Captain Froehlich, I gave a speech to share their dedication to this Service. Afterward, Bernard Martin, GMM3, USS Stark, joined me in asking for a moment of silence in their memory. Bernard then continued with his scripture reading. "Speaking for those that are no longer here to speak" was the perfect speech for us all to hear. He also quoted John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends".

The most joyous moment of the Service occurs when the children from Anchor Academy sing a couple of partiotic songs. The choir sang Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" (Proud to be an American) and John Riggio's "We Will Not Forget". Most of these children have active duty parents stationed at Mayport and quite a few of the staff are Veterans. Their participation in this event is always fun to watch.

A former Stark shipmate who was aboard on May 17, 1987, told his story. AMC Barry Loyd, USN (Ret), spoke about how the Stark changed his life and what he went through for years afterwards. At the time of the attack, Barry was an Aviation Structural Mechanic, Petty Officer Third Class (AMS3) with Helicopter Antisubmarine Light Squadron 32 "Invaders", Detachment 3, or HSL-32 Det 3. His group worked on the Kaman SH-2 Seasprite helicopter to provide Light Airborne Multipurpose System (LAMPS) capabilities, including anti-submarine warfare and surface surveillance.

Capatain Trumbull had the honor of introducing the guest speaker, Florida's LT Governor Jarrid "Jay" Collins. Having served as a Green Beret Medic in the Army Special Forces for over 20 years, the Lieutenant Governor is no outsider to combat. After being shot in the arm in Afghanistan, he had to help perform surgery on himself in the field of battle. A few months later, he sustained another injury that would cause his leg to be amputated later on. Despite the hardship of losing the limb, he re-qualified as a fully deployable Green Beret and served for another 5 years before retiring at the rank of First Sergeant (E-8). He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, and numerous other personal, unit, and service awards.

He started off by saying how unique it is to have the Anchor Academy choir, children of military members, singing at the event. Children are the most emblematic of all things we fight for, all the things we serve for. Florida has over 20 major military installations with nearly 1.5 million veterans. Florida is also the only state to have a Governor and LT Governor that are both combat veterans which allows them to fully understand that we are the "land of the free, because of the brave". It's in our DNA. He also spoke about the history of the Navy in Flroida dating back to the 1820's. In 1917, Naval Air Station Key West was established bringing aviation into the Navy in Florida. He then spoke about the history of the Stark and being home ported in Mayport. "To the Gold Star families that are here today, I want you to know that, we have your back, that Florida has your back". The Stark ceremony carries with it Hope as he referenced all of the active duty sailors standing behind the friends and family of the fallen.

One of the US Navy's most honored traditions is "Tolling the Bell". The ship's bell is rung as each name of those killed in action is called. This year, Chris Hallett, who was also a part of HSL-32 Det 3 as an Aviation Electronics Technician, Petty Officer Second Class, rang the bell. AMC Barry Loyd, USN (Ret) read each name. All active duty sailors are called to Attention and render a salute from the start of the first name until the ringing of the last bell as shipmates, family, and friends remember their loved ones. Wreaths presented by Captain Bob Buehn USN (Ret), Commander, First Coast Commandery, Naval Order, and Captain Bob Whitkop USN (Ret), President of Mayport Navy League, are placed in front of the memorial honoring the shipmates of the USS Stark. The Navy Band performs the Navy Hymn during the presentation of the wreaths.

All active duty are called to Attention again as the Honors Detail from Naval Station Mayport render a 21-gun salute. A lone sailor from the Navy Band then plays Taps off in the distance. Even as I write this, it's hard not to be overcome with emotion just thinking about it. The final speaker of the event is the Benediction by LCDR Marvin Whiting.

At the end of the Service, all former Stark shipmates gather at the Stark stern plate for a photo.