Essex (LHD 2) - Naval Cruise Book

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In Memorium

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Captain Raymond N. McKay, USMC Capt. Raymond N. McKay was bom the son of George and Jesse McKay on 13 October 1964. Ray started : ■ life as the son of a Marine and would end it a Marine himself. He also grew up with Naval Aviation as his father was an A-6 Intruder pilot. This set the stage for Ray ' s life. He would grow up with the dream of being a Marine pilot. A dream he would one day realize. Ray joined the Marine Corps in 1 988 after graduating from the University of Western Florida. Upon completing The Basic School in June of ' 89, he left Quantico and moved back to his home town of Pensacola, Florida, the birth place of Naval Aviation. Here he would take the first steps in fulfilling his dreams of flight. Flight school was a long and arduous process, but it was also a labor of love. When his father, George McKay, LtCol, USMC, Ret., pinned his own wings on Rays chest, his lifelong dream was fulfilled: Ray was now a Marine Aviator. Ray, or Razor as he was known to his pilot friends, began Harrier flight training in January of 1 992. He completed the Replacement Air Group (RAG) in November of 1992 and was assigned to his first fleet squadron: VMA-214, The World Famous Blacksheep Squadron! He progressed through the training syllabus quickly and was well respected by his friends, juniors and seniors alike. He worked tirelessly at his job and his flying. Razor could often be seen running around trying to get things signed, paperwork completed, always with an open tactical manual on his desk. Yet, in the midst of it all, he had time to meet, develop a relationship with and eventually marry the love of his life, Gina. Shortly after their wedding, Ray was assigned as the Supply Officer for the VM A-2 1 4 Det Bravo. The Det attached to HMM-161 as part of the 13th MEU (SOC) aboard the USS Essex on 22 October 1994 for a 6 month deployment to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. It was an exciting and challenging time for Razor, and he loved every minute of it. No matter how busy he was, however, he kept his mind on what was really important; his new wife Gina. He always had time for her. Whether it was a short note, a long letter, a quick tape or even a video, he was constantly thinking of ways to make her smile even though he was thousands of miles from home. She was the most important thing in his life, and all of his friends knew it. Razor, however, did not return home when the deployment ended in April. On the moonless night of January 30, 1995, 150 miles off the eastern coast of Africa, Capt. Ray McKay launched off the deck of the USS ESSEX for a night systems sortie. Shortly after takeoff, he vanished into the night. Despite an extensive search, no trace of either Ray or his aircraft were ever recovered. No evidence was available to help explain the cause for Captain McKay ' s tragic loss. As a single seat pilot, Ray McKay flew alone. On the night of January 30th, he died alone. But, Ray was not a lonely man. There was not a single person from Ray ' s squadron or the ship who knew Ray who would not be happy to say, Ray McKay was my friend. He was a good pilot, a hard worker, dependable and a generous friend. From private to colonel, Ray was truly respected and admired by all those around him. To those of us who knew and worked with Ray, he was the one who always wanted to do things right. If it took Razor a little longer to get things done, it was because he put in the extra time and effort and made sure everything was done right. If anyone had to try to tell you what Ray ' s most important characteristic was, it would have to be, Ray loved to laugh ; it was a loud bold laugh that couldn ' t help but infect everyone around him. He also loved to fly, especially Night Systems sorties. Given all this, it is easy to see that he was truly happy that last night when he launched off the deck of the USS Essex. For those of us who leave our homes and families to help keep the world free and safe. Captain McKay reminded us of the price for that freedom. Ray paid the ultimate sacrifice for the principles and freedoms we enjoy. His death punctuates the importance of the job we do, and the reason we put ourselves in harms way. Each time those of us who knew Ray pin on the medals we earned on this deployment, we ' 11 think of our friend and fallen comrade. Captain Raymond N. McKay. Semper Fi. Razor Rest in peace

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Sgt Justin A, Harris FAMILY MAN, HUSBAND, AND LOVING, DEVOTED FATHER J as we called him, was always in good spirits, always encouraging and always thinking of others. I can remember the day he found out he was going to be a father, the happiness he showed was incomparable to anything. I could very well relate to that happiness having experienced it with my first bom. He immediately began planning for the arrival of the baby with numerous accessories to welcome the new life, he and his wife Chantay created. That preparation also brought him to ask my wife, Anita and I questions that sometimes caught us off guard. After the birth, there were complications with Baby Justin , near fatal. In and out of the hospital the first precious months of its life but the little fella pulled through. It was the fight and determination I most remember J for. Flying was an addiction to him, if he couldn ' t fly it was as if he had no purpose in his eyes. Music was another love. The bass was his favorite. He loved teaching as much as playing. He began to teach my son to play the keyboard. His family was always on his mind and in his heart. Never a day went by without him talking about Chantay and baby J , whom he loved dearly. From SSgt Rahatt The one thing I remember about Justin is during our Hong Kong Singapore visits, we went to Toys ' R ' Us to get that special toy for his son, a Bumper Ball , we searched high and low for it but could not find it. Justin, when I return I will make sure baby J gets that Bumper Ball ' . To Chantay The sorrow and loneliness you feel cannot ever be replaced. You are right, you were cheated , baby J was cheated out of life ' s dreams. You are not in this struggle alone, we, Anita and I, are only a phone call away and will always be there for you and baby J . Sgt Harris was known to most, and to the fellas as Tupac due to the resemblance. He would always greet with What up potna . Now I say Lata Potna for you are truly missed. Much Love.... Nate