Shipmates:
Yesterday, at the Veteran's Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia, the Commanding Officer of the cutter TAHOMA, Commander Keith A. Willis, was laid to rest with full military honors. In attendance were his wife Carolyn, daughter Melissa, son Matthew, parents Harlon and Erlene Willis, sister Karen and her husband Jeff Stowe, as well as many family members, friends, and at least two hundred of his Coast Guard Shipmates. Coast Guardsmen from all over the country were in the crowd, as well as several current cutter commanding officers from along the east coast. A full platoon from the Coast Guard Honor Guard traveled from Washington and added to the professionalism as we honored our Shipmate, and observed "the manners of our profession."
I had the honor and great privilege of speaking at the funeral, and presented, posthumously, Commander Willis' Meritorious Service Medal to Carolyn and the Willis children. The citation, in part, read: "With his personal characteristics of kindness, generosity and faithfulness, he led, trained, and inspired countless shipmates during a career spanning more than two and a half decades." I also presented them with the flag from the casket "...on behalf of a grateful nation..."
I had a chance to talk to a large number of the TAHOMA crew about their CO during the wake on Sunday. Seldom have I heard a Commanding Officer spoken about in such loving terms. Commander Willis clearly left a lasting impression on all with whom he served, and he will not soon be forgotten.
I can't help but comment also on how proud I was/am of the entire Coast Guard Family that came together to assist the Willis Family over the past week - particularly Commander Wendy Calder of Training Center Yorktown who served as the Casualty Assistance Calls Officer. The Willis family is very grateful for the outpouring of love, admiration, and respect for the man who was their husband, father, son, brother, and the officer who was a cutterman, captain ... and SHIPMATE.
Fair winds,
VADM R. J. Papp, Jr.
Commander, Coast Guard Atlantic Area
and 13th Gold Ancient Mariner
